Ep 25: General George W. Casey, Jr.: Development & Defense; Geopolitics; Leadership

The Aid Market Podcast

General Casey, Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Army joins Mike Shanley to discuss the role of the US military and USAID in US foreign policy. They discuss how organizations that work in peace building and high conflict settings can better understand the military, their perspectives, and how they can most effectively engage with countries that need aid. General Casey describes how he managed military relationships during the Iraq war and what he sees happening with the current wars in Gaza and Ukraine. He provides insight into the shift happening in the global power balance with China trying to take control. Towards the end, General Casey describes how he managed an organization as massive as the US Army. Tune in to hear more about General Casey’s views and why the foreign aid budget is critical to maintain.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:58] Mike shares General Casey’s background.

• [3:07] General Casey explains what the quote “If you cut there, if you don’t fully fund the State Department, you need to buy more ammunition” means.

• [5:13] General Casey shares his thoughts on the foreign aid budget.

• [7:42] How should defense, diplomacy, and development play roles together?

• [10:01] General Casey provides 2 examples of how to best coordinate with the military.

• [17:36] General Casey shares some lessons learned when overseeing reconstruction while conflict is happening and after the conflict has quieted.

• [20:56] What is the best way for USAID/NGOs to communicate with the military?

• [23:05] How can Gaza and Ukraine be supported now and in the future for reconstruction?

• [28:10] General Casey discusses how to approach building trust and gaining insight into what the countries need.

• [31:23] What will support mean in the short term and long term for Ukraine?

• [37:18] What is General Casey’s insight about the 5 senior members of the Russian military being reassigned or arrested?

• [41:12] Is there a shift happening right now in the global power balance?

• [51:15] How did General Casey manage an organization level as massive as the ones he managed?

• [1:00:34] What would General Casey say to politicians that want to cut foreign aid?

QUOTES:

• [6:17] “And the farmer said that it allowed him to triple his output, and because he could triple his output, he could then afford to send his children to school. In the grand scheme of things, that might seem like a small thing, but it’s a huge thing to the people that it impacts.” - General Casey

• [52:23] “I think that’s the bane of every leader’s existence today, things are changing so fast that if you try to just keep doing the same thing, it’s not going to work and you’re not going to get ahead.” - General Casey

• [59:39] “Vision, courage, character and offensive mindset. That’s what I believe it takes to lead effectively in any organization, public or private sector today.” - General Casey

RESOURCES:

Supporting Veterans After 50 Years of the All-Volunteer Force and 20 Years of War: Ideas Moving Forward-Book

Aid Market Podcast

Aid Market Podcast YouTube

BIOGRAPHIES:

General George W. Casey, Jr., enjoyed a 41-year career in the US Army following his graduation from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in 1970. He is an accomplished soldier and an authority on strategic leadership. As the Army Chief of Staff, he led one of the nation's largest and most complex organizations during one of the most extraordinary periods in our history. He is widely credited with restoring balance to a war-weary Army and leading the transformation to keep it relevant in the 21st Century. Prior to this, from July 2004 to February 2007, he commanded the Multi-National Force – Iraq, a coalition of more than 30 countries, where he guided the Iraq mission through its toughest days.

Currently, he lectures internationally on leadership to the leaders of national and multinational corporations and at other business schools. He serves on corporate boards and numerous boards of organizations that support our servicemen and women, our veterans, and their families. He also teaches international relations at the Korbel School in Denver.

Casey has published a book, Strategic Reflections, Operation Iraqi Freedom, July 2004-2007 (October 2012), about his experiences in Iraq, and two articles on leadership: Leading in a VUCA World, Fortune Magazine (March 20, 2014), and Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous: Leadership Lessons from Iraq, Chapter 1, Changing Mindsets to Transform Security, (December 2013).

Casey holds a master's degree in international relations from University of Denver and served as a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council of the United States, a foreign policy think-tank. He has broad international experience. Born in Japan, he served in operational assignments in Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East.