Kurt and Rich sit down with former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral John Richardson on this Tea Leaves episode. Admiral Richardson shares what it was like being CNO, his thoughts on military discipline and learning from mistakes, and the state of the Navy today. The three also discuss the Pentagon’s reaction to recent events in the Middle East and in Iran, as well as how the United States’ naval capabilities compare with China’s.
Podcasts
Recent Posts
Han Lin in Financial Times: ‘If we look at how China looks at Starmer’s visit, I don’t think they’re looking for British factories to be set up in China, I think they want more British capabilities . . . finance, asset management, life sciences, education, green standards’
January 30, 2026
Media Mentions
Han Lin, China managing director for the Asia Group, said it was “too difficult” for UK banks to compete domestically ...
Han Lin interviewed by BBC on PM Starmer’s Beijing visit
January 29, 2026
Media Mentions
Han Lin, China managing director of The Asia Group, says “from China’s view, the Starmer visit looks like a chance ...
Kurt Campbell’s op-ed on U.S.-China relations featured in The New York Times
January 28, 2026
Media Mentions
Mr. Campbell is the chairman of the Asia Group and a former deputy secretary of state. President Trump’s second-term approach ...
Shailender Arya in The Hindu Business Line: ‘The conclusion of security and defence partnership between India and EU provides strategic intent and intimate policy guidance for closer defence industrial cooperation between the Indian and European defence industries’
January 27, 2026
Media Mentions
“The conclusion of security and defence partnership (SDP) between India and EU provides strategic intent and intimate policy guidance for ...