MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Jarod Taylor
Members are at the heart of what we do which is why we want to amplify their work and profile. Every month we are spotlighting one of our members. This month we are spotlighting Jarod Taylor.
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What is the name of your organization?
Jarod Taylor: U.S. Army
What is the focus of your professional work?
Jarod Taylor: Political-military operations in the Middle East
Why the focus on international affairs?
Jarod Taylor: I follow sanctions and defense policy because the interaction of issues like economic statecraft, security assistance, and civilian-military relations often tells a more complete story of what is going on in a country than only one of those elements in isolation.
What are you working on these days?
Jarod Taylor: Iranian politics and foreign policy
What made you join the Pacific Council?
Jarod Taylor: I joined the Pacific Council to meet foreign policy professionals here on the West Coast that have a different perspective than those in DC, and to learn more about the emphasis the Council has on "local-to-global" impact.
What’s your biggest takeaway?
Jarod Taylor: I'm convinced that the importance of local organizations like the Pacific Council cannot be overstated - DC can't do it all, so it is critical that local organizations translate policy to local context and stay in dialogue with DC on issues that are important far from the capital.
Do you recall any particular quotes or stories from any Pacific Council events you attended?
Jarod Taylor: In a June online event, Amb Nina Hachigian called the Quad the "most important structural change in Indo-Pacific geopolitics within her recent memory" which I think frames the phenomenon of pivoting strategic focus to the Pacific very well. Shifting strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific is not a uniquely American or allied concept - countries in the Middle East have also looked east to renew their own security and economic policies.
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