Karl Eikenberry: Recollections of a Retired General, from Beijing to Kabul

How did the Cold War shape a military career? What was it like to be in the Pentagon on 9/11? And how did experiences in China, Korea, Afghanistan, and NATO influence U.S. policy?

In this episode, we speak with Karl Eikenberry, a Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, former defense attaché at the U.S. Embassy in China, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. With a career that placed him at key moments in history, this episode is entirely devoted to his personal and professional journey.

Eikenberry’s experiences provide a rare firsthand perspective on military strategy, diplomacy, and global affairs over the past half-century.