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.
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Alison Szalwinski in DW: “Washington’s tumultuous trade negotiations — from China to India to Korea — have left many of its Asian allies questioning whether the United States still sees economic integration as a strategic asset or a bargaining chip.”
					
																						
			October 30, 2025		
		 Media Mentions		
		
		
			Szalwinski from The Asia Group said that countries have been hedging for some time by “doubling down on smaller, results-oriented ...		
					Han Lin in CNBC: “The U.S. decision to cut fentanyl-related tariffs to 10% addresses a key Chinese grievance.”
					
																						
			October 30, 2025		
		 Media Mentions		
		
		
			TAG China Country Director Han Lin shared that “Beijing’s efforts to curb exports of fentanyl precursors, long unrecognized by Washington, ...		
					Daniel Kritenbrink on CNBC Asia: “The fundamentals of this relationship have not changed, and they’re not going to change today.”
					
																						
			October 30, 2025		
		 Media Mentions		
		
		
			Details of US-China trade deal is what will matter, says former US ambassador. Daniel Kritenbrink of The Asia Group, and ...		
					Han Lin in Financial Times: “The cut to fentanyl related tariffs showed Beijing’s efforts to curb exports of precursors of the drug were ‘finally being acknowledged’ in Washington.”
					
																						
			October 30, 2025		
		 Media Mentions		
		
		
			TAG China Country Director Han Lin noted, “The move would set expectations for another 10 per cent tariff cut at ...