Washington, DC—On May 14, 2014, WFPG honored National Security Advisor Susan Rice at its Celebrating Women Leaders Luncheon. The conversation focused on major national security challenges facing the US and was moderated by PBS NewsHour Co-Anchor and Managing Editor Judy Woodruff. Ambassador Rice addressed Russian intervention in Ukraine, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Syrian Civil War, the Iranian talks on nuclear weapons, the Benghazi investigation, tensions between China and its neighbors in the South China Sea, the efforts to recover the kidnapped Nigerian girls, and the current state of American foreign policy and America’s role in the world.

On the crisis in Ukraine, Rice reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to an internal dialogue that, she hopes, will allow the people to choose their own form of government and conduct peaceful elections resulting in a democratic transfer of power. She also reiterated that Putin’s annexation of Crimea was illegitimate and illegal and that the United States would consider enforcing sectoral sanctions on the Russian economy if Russian forces move further into Ukraine or if Putin takes any action to destabilize Ukraine’s election. According to Rice, the United States and Europe, not Putin, would determine the “price he pays” for his actions.

Rice discussed her recent visit to the Middle East and addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the US support for a two-state solution. In her view, blame for the deterioration of negotiations does not lie with one side or the other, citing Israeli continued settlement construction and Palestinian reconciliation with Hamas. She also spoke about Syria and the administration’s recent Washington meeting with the Syrian moderate opposition, where issues of humanitarian and financial assistance to rebel controlled territories and the challenges of fighting a two-front war—against Assad and extremists including Al-Qaeda—were discussed. On the issue of Syrian chemical weapons, Rice said the removal of identified weapons was successful, as 92.5% were already out of the country. Regarding negotiations with Iran on ending their nuclear program, Ambassador Rice said that it is “too soon to tell” what the future will bring but that she is hopeful. On Benghazi, Rice stated that she could not say what new evidence the House Committee would uncover, as the White House has already produced a multitude of documents. She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to implementing the accountability review board’s recommendations to safeguard US facilities abroad.

Rice also discussed President Obama’s recent trip to Asia and its impact on US–China relations, particularly related to the current territorial disputes in the South China Sea. She praised China’s neighbors for seeking solutions to these territorial disputes through international bodies and criticized China’s “provocative and unhelpful” actions.

On the subject of Nigeria and the kidnapping of over 200 school girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram, Rice insisted that the first priority of the international community should be to locate the girls. She elaborated that the US role is to offer advice and military power to the Nigerian government, should such a request be made, but that the US must respect Nigerian sovereignty.

Ambassador Rice also reflected on the current state of US foreign policy and the US’s role in the world today. She emphasized the US’s role as a global leader, partner, and role model for other states in terms of our moral values, culture, technology and our economic strength. She said that during her recent travels in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the US’s partners and allies were continually impressed with US leadership and strength. The one criticism she heard of the US was of American political polarization, which she believes weakens the perception of US leadership.

As a woman leader in foreign policy, Rice strongly encouraged and advised young people considering careers in foreign policy and public service to just “do it,” and to pursue their passions. Rice believes that public service can be pursued through government, the non-profit sector, journalism, and even the private sector. Watch on C-SPAN

 

From Left: PBS NewsHour Co-Anchor and Managing Editor Judy Woodruff, WFPG Board Chair Ann Stock, and WFPG Mentee and Former Intern Kim Quarantello

Judy Woodruff with WFPG Board Members Donna McLarty, Elisabeth Bumiller, Isabel Jasinowski, Ann Stock, Patricia Ellis, Theresa Loar, and Mary Catherine Toker		Ambassador Susan Rice and moderator Judy Woodruff discuss national security challenges facing the US
WFPG Board Chair Ann Stock presenting the Celebrating Women Leaders Award to Ambassador Susan Rice		Hon. Ann Stock, Ambassador Susan Rice, and Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff, WFPG President Patricia Ellis and Catherine Russell, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues		Under Secretary for Arms Control Rose Gottemoeller and Ambassador Ritva Koukku-Ronde of Finland
Ambassadors Gudmundur Stefansson of Iceland, Faida Mitifu of DRC and Hans Peter Manz of Austria		Board Member Donna McLarty, Tara Sonenshine, Ambassador Laurie Fulton, and Chair Ann Stock
Hon. Ann McLaughlin Korologos with Ann and Ashley Bazzarone		Ambassador Jadranka Negodic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is recognized
Stephenie Foster, Fran Holuba, Ashley Williams, and Ambassador Catherine Russell		Ambassador Jose Cuisia of the Philippines, Board Member Diana Negroponte, and Ambassador Diana Lady Dougan
Board Member Isabel Jasinowski and Ambassador Gary Doer of Canada		Ambassador Oliver Wonekha of Uganda
Event Benefactor CH2M Hill and guests		WFPG Board Member Mary Catherine Toker
WFPG Board Treasurer Dawn Calabia		WFPG Board Vice Chair Gail Leftwich Kitch
Secretary Kerry's Special Adviser on Global Youth Issues Zeenat Rahman		WFPG Associate Director Kimberly Kahnhauser with Ambassador Tom Korologos of DLA Piper
Patricia Ellis greets Board Member Donna McLarty and Bobbie Greene McCarthy of Vital Voices		Ambassador Claudia Fritsche of Liechtenstein with Board Member Elisabeth Bumiller of the New York Times
Members Marina McCarthy and Donna Constantinople		Ambassador Carolina Barco, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, and Vic Johnson of NAFSA
Mary O'Connor and Ambassador Maguy Maccario Doyle of Monaco		Ambassador Christos Panagopoulos of Greece with his daughter Margarita
WFPG Baord Member Theresa Loar of CH2M Hill, colleague Alonzo Fulgham, and Alicia Shearers		Hon. Ann Stock with Liz Allen of the Department of State
Ginny Mulberger of the Scowcroft Group and her daughter Katie		Maureen Bunyan of ABC7
Ambassador Susan Rice with Odeh Aburdene		Ambassador Susan Rice greets Patricia Ellis
Ambassador Susan Rice with Jana Hertz of RTI International and Patrica Ellis		WFPG Celebrating Women Leaders Luncheon

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