This week, the White House brokered an Israel-Iran ceasefire deal, NATO leaders met in The Hague and committed to a 5% of GDP defense spending target, the U.S. and China announced a trade framework agreement, and Rwanda and DR Congo signed a peace agreement in Washington.
Read more below.
2025 Aspen Security Forum: First Speakers Announced
We are excited to announce the first round of speakers that will be joining us in Aspen, CO for the 2025 Aspen Security Forum!
A limited number of passes are still available. Learn more about how to apply to attend here. Stay tuned for more announcements next week.
This Week’s Content Highlights
Features from Aspen Strategy Group Members
Condoleezza Rice interviewed by Brett Baier for Fox News: “Ex-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Calls U.S. Strikes on Iran a ‘Shot in the Arm’ for U.S. Credibility”
Antony J. Blinken for The New York Times: “Trump’s Iran Strike Was a Mistake. I Hope It Succeeds.”
Chris Brose quoted by The Economist: “The War in Ukraine Shows the West Can Re-Arm Without Re-Industrializing”
Kurt Campbell quoted by Alastair Gale and Haslinda Amin for Bloomberg: “China Doesn’t Hold Upper Hand Versus U.S., Biden Official Says”
Chris Coons interviewed by Alex Witt for MSNBC: “Sen. Coons Says It’s ‘Too Early’ to Know Extent of Damage on Iranian Nuclear Program”
Elizabeth Economy interviewed Ely Ratner for the China Considered podcast: “China, Coalitions, and the Future of Asian Security With Ely Ratner”
Mark Esper interviewed by Morgan Brennan for CNBC: “Upcoming Negotiations With Iran Will Be Tough, Says Fmr. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper”
Michèle Flournoy interviewed by Becky Quick for CNBC: “Israel-Iran Conflict Is ‘Far From Over’ as Yet, Says Michèle Flournoy”
Susan Glasser, Jane Harman, and Charlie Sykes joined Chris Jansing for MSNBC: “Stakes for Fragile Ceasefire Are ‘Enormous for Trump’s Credibility’: Glasser”
Kay Bailey Hutchison interviewed by Carley Shimkus for Fox News: “NATO Members ‘Coming Around’ to Trump’s Call to ‘Step Up,’ Former Ambassador Says”
David Ignatius for The Washington Post: “Why Trump Was Confident That Iran Was Building a Bomb”
David Petraeus interviewed by Christiane Amanpour for CNN: “‘This Is Not Necessarily Over,’ Says Former CIA Director on Iran-Israel War”
Lawrence Summers quoted by Shreyas Sinha for the Observer: “Larry Summers Calls Trump’s Tariffs a ‘Self-Inflicted Wound’ on U.S. Economy”
Rising Leaders Program
The Aspen Strategy Group was pleased to bring together members of our Rising Leaders Program for an alumni reception and discussion at the Embassy of Sweden with Ambassador Urban Ahlin. The wide-ranging conversation covered U.S.-Sweden relations, the NATO Summit, defense spending, and more.
Now in its fifth year, the Rising Leaders Program has a robust alumni network of over 150 young professionals.
Post of the Week
Things to Know
Content Relevant to Aspen Security Forum Discussions
Ibrahim al-Assil for the Atlantic Council: “Dispatch From Damascus: Church Attack Shows Transition’s Fragility”
Fabrice Deprez and Christopher Miller for the Financial Times: “Kyiv’s Sleepless Nights Under Fire”
Chiamaka Enendu for BBC News: “Mali Signs Trade Deal With Russia as Ties Strengthen”
Julian Gewirtz for Foreign Affairs: “How China Wins: Beijing’s Advantages in a Revisionist Order”
Kersten Knipp for DW: “Iran Regime Intensifies Crackdown Amid Israel Ceasefire”
The New York Times: “What We Know About the Fate of Iran’s Nuclear Program After Israeli and U.S. Strikes”
Daphne Psaledakis, Sonia Rolley, and Robbie Corey-Boulet for Reuters: “Rwanda, Congo Sign U.S.-Brokered Peace Deal in Washington”
Armida van Rij and Kajsa Ollongren for Chatham House: “Five Key Priorities for NATO After the Summit in The Hague–and How to Make Progress”
Rebecca Santana and Christopher Sherman for The Washington Post: “U.S. Signs Agreements With Guatemala and Honduras to Take Asylum Seekers, Noem Says”
Brian Spegele for The Wall Street Journal: “China Confirms Breakthrough on Rare-Earth Exports to U.S.”
Alice Tidey, Romane Armangau, and Peggy Corlin for Euronews: “EU and Canada Forge Closer Ties With New Defence and Trade Partnership”
From the Archives
Revisit our conversation on policy responses to global crises from the 2024 Aspen Security Forum.
Flammable World: Who Will Help the World’s Most Vulnerable?
David Miliband, President and CEO, International Rescue Committee
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President and CEO, ONE Campaign
Eileen O’Connor, then Senior Vice President for Communications, Policy, and Advocacy, Rockefeller Foundation
Moderator: Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, Editor, Foreign Affairs
Book of the Week
Buckley: The Life and Revolution That Changed America
By Sam Tanenhaus
“In 1951, with the publication of God and Man at Yale, a scathing attack on his alma mater, twenty-five-year-old William F. Buckley, Jr., seized the public stage—and commanded it for the next half century as he led a new generation of conservative activists and ideologues to the peak of political power and cultural influence.
Buckley vividly captures its subject in all his facets and phases: founding editor of National Review, the twentieth century’s most influential political journal; syndicated columnist, Emmy-winning TV debater, and bestselling spy novelist; ally of Joseph McCarthy and Barry Goldwater; mentor to Ronald Reagan; game-changing candidate for mayor of New York. At a crucial moment in American history, Buckley offers a gripping and powerfully relevant story about the birth of modern politics and those who shaped it.”
Featured Partner Content
Cybersecurity Conversations That Actually Stick
Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue—it’s a strategic one. In last week’s Weekly Leaf, we explored how the speed and complexity of modern threats demand smarter tools. That’s where generative AI-powered solutions like Microsoft Security Copilot come in, helping organizations stay ahead of risk while simplifying day-to-day operations. This time, we’re zooming in on how to turn security from a checklist into a conversation—one that resonates with your leadership, your teams, and your strategy.
Podcast of the Week
Nick Pelham joined Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau on The Economist’s The Intelligence podcast: “The Persistent Indecision of Ayatollah Ali Khameni”
