The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode: A Journey Around the World with Sec. Mike Pompeo
Date: July 24, 2021
Host: Charlie Kirk
Guest: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Overview
In this lively episode, Charlie Kirk welcomes former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for an expansive conversation covering foreign policy, the Biden administration's global approach, and pressing threats to America's interests. They journey "around the world," discussing Cuba, Europe (NATO and Russia), the Middle East (with a focus on Israel and Iran), and China. Pompeo contrasts the Trump administration’s policies with the current administration, delivering candid, conservative commentary and strategic insights, while also reflecting on his personal faith and political trajectory.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Pompeo’s Background and Values
- Biographical Sketch: First in his class at West Point, ran manufacturing businesses, served in Congress (2010, Kansas), led the CIA, and became Secretary of State.
- Faith and Leadership: Active evangelical Christian; taught 5th grade Sunday School, which shaped his ability to lead diplomatically.
- Quote (Mike Pompeo, 04:21): “At the same time I was a fifth grade Sunday school teacher and that shaped my capacity to run the State Department.”
2. Social Activism & US Diplomatic Missions
- Controversy over BLM and Pride Flags: Pompeo criticizes the Biden administration’s allowance of the Black Lives Matter flag at US embassies.
- Quote (Pompeo, 05:26): “I made very clear we were going to fly one flag from the flagpole at an American embassy. That was going to be the American flag.”
- Host’s Comparison: Kirk suggests hypothetically flying NRA flags to highlight perceived partisanship.
- Quote (Kirk, 07:01): “What if every State Department flag flew an NRA flag that says gun rights are human rights?”
3. Cuba: Responding to Communist Oppression
- Cuba Policy Reversal: Trump administration implemented substantial sanctions and designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terror.
- Quote (Pompeo, 08:01): “We flipped the switch on Cuba 180 degrees... putting pressure on the regime.”
- Critique of Biden’s Response: Pompeo denounces slow and soft reaction to the Cuban uprising.
- Memorable Moment (Kirk & Pompeo, 09:09): "What's written on there is like talk. Breathe. Right. You are president."
- Aid Proposals: Discuss satellite internet for Cuban dissidents; lament missed opportunities.
4. Europe: NATO & Russia
- NATO Reform: Trump’s approach forced European allies to contribute more; Kirk and Pompeo stress the importance of “skin in the game.”
- Quote (Pompeo, 11:22): “We made them do it. We created the environment where they knew it was in their best interest... some $440 billion in European taxpayer money now to support our efforts.”
- Russia: Contrasts Trump’s hardline with Biden’s more permissive posture, especially regarding Russian pipelines and diplomatic expulsions.
- Quote (Pompeo, 12:56): “For four years, this administration did more to put pressure on Vladimir Putin than the previous one did in eight.”
- Notable Sarcasm (Pompeo, 13:49): "President Biden's told them that there's about 16 industries they can't attack... I feel bad for the 17th."
5. Middle East: Israel, Iran, and Peace Accords
- Support for Israel: Pompeo describes recent conflict as an Iranian proxy attack, reiterates Trump’s firm support, including moving the embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty.
- Quote (Pompeo, 15:14): “We built out a set of security understandings... fundamentally rewrite history in the Middle East... Abraham Accords truly delivered some lasting peace.”
- Iran: Warns that Biden policy will ease Iran’s path to nuclear capabilities; emphasizes the prior administration’s economic “starvation” of the regime to prevent weaponization.
- Quote (Pompeo, 16:55): “What do you need to build a nuclear weapon?... Biden administration is going to provide them each of those three things.”
6. The China Challenge
- Origins of COVID-19: Pompeo asserts strong belief in lab origin theory, likening the CCP’s response to “felony murder” due to reckless spread.
- Quote (Pompeo, 18:32): “I do, I do. I think it’s a near certainty… every stick of evidence that we’ve seen today suggests that they were working on a virus.”
- Quote (Pompeo, 19:37): “They may not intend to run over someone, but when they do, they’re charged with felony murder.”
- On Confronting China:
- Immediate Steps: Sanction decision makers, revoke Western visas, review Chinese student visas (criticizes large number of students in US and influence over academia).
- Quote (Pompeo, 20:15): “Today we have 360,000 Chinese students studying in the United States. Some… are connected to the People’s Liberation Army.”
- Financial Ties & Market Fairness: Advocate for reciprocal investing rules, ban pension fund investments in CCP-tied companies.
- Quote (Pompeo, 22:05): “The way to separate is just tell the Chinese when they invest in America, they’re going to invest on the same terms we do in China…”
- Immediate Steps: Sanction decision makers, revoke Western visas, review Chinese student visas (criticizes large number of students in US and influence over academia).
- Long-term Strategies: Oppose Belt and Road, strengthen alliances in Asia, promote “Western values” and alert world to CCP’s true intentions.
- Quote (Pompeo, 23:03): “We have to make sure that the whole world understands… when China comes knocking… it is about political control.”
7. Taiwan and the China-Taiwan Flashpoint
- Pompeo’s Position: Calls Taiwan a sovereign nation deserving of US defense; criticizes Biden for adopting Chinese “reunification” narrative.
- Quote (Pompeo, 24:33): “It was never part of China… we made clear we were going to provide the Taiwanese people with the space and resources they need to defend themselves.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |-----------|---------|--------------| | 04:21 | Pompeo | “At that same time I was a fifth grade Sunday school teacher and that shaped my capacity to run the State Department.” | | 05:26 | Pompeo | "I made very clear we were going to fly one flag from the flagpole at an American embassy. That was going to be the American flag." | | 08:01 | Pompeo | "We flipped the switch on Cuba 180 degrees..." | | 11:22 | Pompeo | “…some $440 billion in European taxpayer money now to support our efforts.” | | 12:56 | Pompeo | "Did more to put pressure on Vladimir Putin than the previous one did in eight." | | 13:49 | Pompeo | "President Biden's told them that there's about 16 industries they can't attack... I feel bad for the 17th." | | 15:14 | Pompeo | "...Abraham Accords truly delivered some lasting peace for the people of Middle East." | | 16:55 | Pompeo | "Biden administration is going to provide them each of those three things [to get nuclear weapons]." | | 18:32 | Pompeo | "I do, I do. I think it's a near certainty [that COVID-19 came from a lab]." | | 19:37 | Pompeo | "[Chinese officials] charged with felony murder." | | 20:15 | Pompeo | "Today we have 360,000 Chinese students studying in the United States..." | | 22:05 | Pompeo | "...tell the Chinese when they invest in America, they're going to invest on the same terms we do in China..." | | 23:03 | Pompeo | "...the West—and I don't mean a direction, but I mean an idea...are going to work together to make sure that the Chinese Communist Party doesn't destroy the world..." | | 24:33 | Pompeo | "It was never part of China...we were going to provide the Taiwanese people with the space and resources they need to defend themselves." |
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:20 – Pompeo joins and discusses Turning Point USA’s youth activism.
- 04:21 – Pompeo’s formative years, business experience, and faith.
- 05:02 – Discussion of BLM flag at embassies and diplomacy under Biden.
- 08:01 – Cuba: Policy changes and critique of current administration.
- 10:45 – NATO policy, European partnerships, and defense cost-sharing.
- 12:56 – Russia policy and critical view of Biden’s relationship with Putin.
- 15:14 – Middle East, Israel, Abraham Accords, and Iran.
- 18:32 – China: COVID-19 origins, lab theory, and accountability.
- 20:03 – Concrete steps to check China's influence (students, financial).
- 23:03 – Long-term strategies for opposing China and building alliances.
- 24:33 – Taiwan: Sovereignty and military aid.
- 25:53 – Concluding reflections on threat from China and 2024 politics.
Conclusion
Charlie Kirk and Mike Pompeo deliver a far-reaching, unapologetically conservative critique of Biden’s foreign policy, juxtaposed with the Trump administration’s “America First” stances. Pompeo emphasizes the importance of American strength and resolve on the world stage, particularly against the existential challenges presented by China, and makes a strong case for unyielding, principles-driven leadership.
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