Meghan O'Sullivan
@OSullivanMeghan
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Professor, Harvard @Kennedy_School and @BelferCenter | Author, "Windfall" | former Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan
Joined August 2017
I’m grateful for the wonders 2017 brought, especially my new baby daughter Maeve! Looking forward to 2018. Happy New Year!
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In @ForeignAffairs, the accomplished @JasonBordoff and I unpack the geopolitical dimensions of the energy transition, bracing policy makers and others for volatility and counterintuitive developments that will reorder int’l affairs and possibly threaten the transition itself.
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In a new By Invitation essay in @TheEconomist, @JasonBordoff & I argue Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the need for an energy transition, a process that we contend must begin with investments in affordable and secure energy today.
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Most important immediate thing is to keep Iraqi protesters from crossing into the ‘green zone’ and overrunning the US embassy after funerals tomorrow. If this happens, bloodshed will likely result and the crisis will deepen. This is in hands of the Iraqi government now.
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Congratulations to @Columbia for its decision to build a climate school and to my friend and colleague @JasonBordoff who will provide great leadership for it!.
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The loss of U.S. presence in Iraq means the end to America’s light footprint approach in Syria. Things in Afghanistan just got tougher. The Gulf could see the worst of this coming instability. Let’s hope this new US strategy has new plans for all these theaters.
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One of the most dramatic consequences of the U.S. strike on Soleimani is the severing of ties between the U.S. and Iraq. But the Trump administration still has time to save the relationship. My thoughts in @ForeignAffairs:
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Like others, I mourn the loss of Gen Powell today. He was a man of such integrity and I am proud to have worked for him. He stood up for me at a time when others did not want me to deploy to Iraq. I am eternally grateful for his support and his leadership and moral compass.
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A welcome statement by a class-act, President George W. Bush. I look forward to other such statements from Republican leaders.
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My incredibly smart former @Kennedy_School student @Ali_Wyne has published a timely and important book, "America's Great-Power Opportunity," that shows how America can compete effectively with China and Russia and articulate a positive vision of its global role.
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Was pleased to have dinner last night with @NadiaMuradBasee and Iraqi diplomat Mohammed al Quraishy thanks to the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative @HHI - and am thrilled to congratulate Nadia on being awarded today the #NobelPeacePrize for her courageous work for #Yezidi community
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I am privileged to be in the room to feel the extraordinary affection of Senator George Mitchell for Northern Ireland and the people of this place for him. Marking 25 years of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement @QUBelfast #Agreement25
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I’m honored to be a member of the newly announced @StateDept Foreign Affairs Policy Board. I’m eager to work w this extraordinary group chaired by Tom Donilon and Cecilia Munoz to provide our best advice to @SecBlinken and senior leaders.
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Like hundreds of other Americans, I consider being included on the Putin regime’s list of people blacklisted from Russia more of a “lifetime achievement award” than a penalty.
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I'm pleased to have Robert D. Kaplan review my book Windfall in @nytimesbooks. He writes that I "dissected the intricacies of this industry to offer a riveting and comprehensive geopolitical theory" and that the book is "smart" and "deeply researched."
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I now know how many Arabists must have felt the night that the United States began its invasion of Iraq in 2003. No sorrow to see the passing of a brutal man (be it Saddam or Soleimani), but a sense of foreboding that the U.S. is unprepared for what might follow. 1 of 4.
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I was pleased to be the opening and closing speaker at the OPEC Seminar in Vienna last week right before OPEC and non-OPEC producers agreed to put more oil into global markets. #OPEC #Opecseminar
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Pleased to have @hjesanderson of the FT review my book, Windfall, today. He notes it "provides a powerful argument for how America should capitalise on the 'New Energy Abundance'." #Windfallbook #energy
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Earlier this week, I wrote a piece for Bloomberg Opinion about the challenges of integrating climate concerns fully into US foreign policy - not to say it’s impossible to do, but to acknowledge the transformation it will bring if done successfully.
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THREAD: I’m excited to be North America Chair of the Trilateral Commission (@TrilateralNA)and, with others, revitalizing the organization at this critical time. 1/6.
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A big idea from former Greek Finance Minister Varoufakis: “climate change is capitalism’s Waterloo. There is simply no feasible path toward the re-stabilization of the climate that is consistent with the maintenance of capitalism’s main pillars." @ProSyn.
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In getting even tougher on Iran, Trump has given OPEC a lifeline. Saudi Arabia now doesn't need to decide between cutting more of its own production to defend the recent OPEC deal or shifting to a market share strategy that would reveal OPEC powerlessness.
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Important read for anyone who cares about NATO and the Transatlantic relationship from @RNicholasBurns and @LuteDoug: "NATO at Seventy: An Alliance in Crisis" @BelferCenter
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Looking forward to joining such a distinguished group of speakers for the Columbia Global Energy Summit at such an important time for energy policy, financial markets, the environment, and geopolitics. @ColumbiaUEnergy @Kennedy_School @BelferCenter.
We're excited to welcome @Harvard @Kennedy_School & @BelferCenter Dr. Meghan O'Sullivan @OSullivanMeghan to the @ColumbiaUEnergy Columbia Global Energy Summit. Join the conversation and register today: #CGEPSummit2019
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Great #windfallthebook chat w @DanielYergin in Washington, DC this week. Thx to everyone who came out to @CFR_org to join the conversation!
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Looking forward to joining @mitchellreports at 12:45pm to discuss @realDonaldTrump remarks on #Iran. The confrontation isn't over, but the speech provides an important opportunity for de-escalation. @MSNBC.
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Strong argument by Paulson and Bowles why a carbon tax is an essential element of America’s energy transition - and global leadership.
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Tonight’s actions will most likely mean the end of the U.S. era in Iraq. They seem to underscore the truth of Trump’s comments that caused a political firestorm in Iraq last February: the US will keep troops in Iraq to keep an eye on Iran. This is untenable for Iraqis. 3 of 4.
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@JohnCornyn Happy to have joined Senator @JohnCornyn and former Secretary of Commerce Don Evans today in Midland, Texas to talk about the amazing energy developments in the Permian Basin. .
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Keith Johnson @KFJ_FP reviewed my book Windfall #windfallthebook in @ForeignPolicy, calling it a "trusty guide to all the ways in which energy (especially oil and natural gas) impacts international relations, for good and for bad."
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Important article from @LHSummers on the practical steps Business Roundtable CEOs can take to back up their statement that the purpose of corporations is not just to serve shareholders, but all stakeholders. @washingtonpost @Kennedy_School.
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Proud to watch many of my students from the @Kennedy_School and @Harvard College graduate today. Congratulations to you and your families! #Harvard19 #hkslife.
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A belated congratulations to Dan Yergin for being named “Energy Writer of the Year” by the American Energy Society for his excellent recent book #TheNewMap! @DanielYergin @AES_Energy.
Some news: I am honored to have been selected as the "Energy Writer of the Year" by the American Energy Society for my book #TheNewMap. @AES_Energy #EnergyWOTY
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Looking forward to joining this talented group of people for the @BelferCenter "Digital Currency Wars" simulation at the @harvardiop on Tuesday at 6pm. More info here: @kennedy_school @LHSummers @RNicholasBurns @ERosenbach.
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Will @realDonaldTrump utilize energy abundance to expand global U.S. leadership? I write on how he can in @nytimes
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I’m pleased to have joined a group of foreign policy experts urging the United States and China, not to forget their differences, but to cooperate more closely to help the world overcome the challenge of COVID-19. See our statement.
A bipartisan call for cooperation with China on COVID-19 to save lives in America, China and around the world from Hadley, Campbell, Shirk and Schell and over 90 other former officials and China experts.
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Taken alone, Sulaimani’s death will weaken Iran and its proxy forces. But the unintended consequences for the United States will be grave and could well outweigh the gains. 2 of 4.
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Both Iraq’s new pres and PM-designate have good relations w Iran - but at least equally good relations with the US. It is part of what makes this duo good for Iraqi stability - and ultimately for US interest too.
This article is wrong in claiming that the selection of new Iraqi PM & President leaves no clear winner between #Iran & U.S. The clear winner is Iran. IRGC leader Soleimani personally brokered this deal. This is a major & troubling development.
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@JohnCornyn . and to support the Permian Strategic Partnership as it seeks to address the challenges that communities there need to meet in order to attract the talent necessary to further develop this stunning energy resource.
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Important article by @Julie_C_Smith and my colleague @torrey_taussig on where Europe is successfully grappling with China's rise and where it needs to do some work. @BelferCenter @ForeignAffairs
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A remarkable statement by Admiral Mullen, who would not speak out against the actions of any president lightly. He does so here with clarity about how important it is not to politicize our armed forces or to militarize our streets.
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Great talking to @FareedZakaria about Iran sanctions and pleased to see @Farah_Pandith, as well!.
US sanctions can succeed in hurting Iran’s economy, but "we’re not seeing that coupled with a really credible argument for a sincere negotiation,” says @OSullivanMeghan of the Harvard @Kennedy_School's @BelferCenter. See our interview on GPS, @ 10am and 1pm ET Sunday on CNN
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The collapse of the Moscow-Riyadh relationship will affect more than oil markets. It could well reverse one of the biggest strategic changes in the Middle East of the last five years: Russia’s emergence as a key actor in the region. 1/2.
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Great opportunity to talk about #windfallthebook to a knowledgeable energy and politics audience last night at @ColumbiaUEnergy!
In new book, @OSullivanMeghan says important to wear #energy & #FP lenses when looking at past, present, future
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I am very pleased to be joining the board of United Technologies #utc - a storied, global company.
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The choices facing the oil sector now – between a “go it alone” approach for producers or an unprecedented level of global cooperation – are similar to those likely to be faced in the wake of other institutions failing due to the strain of the pandemic.
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My take on President Trumps Iran speech: focus on decertification distracts&detracts from what is really needed now.
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Thrilled to join the board of @CrisisGroup and contribute to its crucial mission.
This week, @CrisisGroup's 45-member Board meets in Paris to guide our conflict prevention work over the next six months (. Trustees hail from 33 countries. We welcome new members:. ➤ @GerardAraud.➤ Ahmed Charai.➤ @SusanaMalcorra.➤ @OSullivanMeghan
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A good reminder of the importance of post-war elections in Ukraine, written by my good friend Peter Erben, who has dedicated more than the past decade to building democratic institutions in Ukraine.
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Interesting article from @McFaul in the @washingtonpost on why China is winning the ideological battle with the US. His proposed solution for the US? In short, a renewal of democracy at home and reengagement in leadership abroad.
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See you tomorrow, @ColumbiaUEnergy! Looking forward to talking about new challenges in energy geopolitics with @JasonBordoff, @DanielYergin, and Francis Fannon. Schedule and live stream here: #CGEPSummit2019.
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Excited to have appeared on @SquawkCNBC, talking #windfallthebook, Russia&energy strategy w @BeckyQuick & @JoeSquawk
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I am so very saddened to learn of the loss of @OPECSecretariat SG Mohammad Barkindo. He was a warm and wonderful man and did a great deal to bridge divides of all kinds. I will miss him, as I know will many others.
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I’m thrilled to have Richard Fontaine (@RHFontaine), the current CEO of CNAS, join as executive director and Michael Greenwald as deputy executive of the North America Trilateral Commission! I welcome the incredible experience and energy they bring to the organization. 4/6.
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Thanks to @tomkeene & @davidgura for great global energy policy conversation this morning on @bsurveillance. #WindfallTheBook is out today!.
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The world lost a courageous&visionary leader with the death of #Jalal_Talabani. An invaluable partner to US in tough times. Will be missed.
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Great to speak with you, @Julie_C_Smith! We packed in a lot in 20 minutes. For those who are interested, you can listen here:
Wonderful to talk to @OSullivanMeghan about energy markets and some of the ways in which a drop in oil prices could alter the national security landscape. Have a listen.
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I was saddened and disconcerted by the decision to withdraw the remaining small # of US troops from Afghanistan. In this piece, Richard Haass & I focus mainly on 6 things that the US can do to mitigate the downsides of this worrying decision.
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For those interested in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the challenges they pose to America's democratic institutions, military, intelligence community, and economic power, @AspenStrategy Group's new book offers important insights:
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Trump deserves credit for ditching timeline in Afghanistan, but US can't get too far away from nation-building. @bv.
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Honored to join my colleagues on the board of the International @CrisisGroup at such a crucial time in global politics. I look forward to supporting their work of preventing and resolving deadly conflicts around the world.
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I was delighted to join the @CSIS task force on the U.S. strategy for the global infrastructure challenge and more pleased now that it is out. The report will convince you that having an infrastructure strategy should be a key national security priority.
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We at the Trilateral Commission are looking for a director for an exciting new project on the future of capitalism. Please see post below and share with others!.
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@Brett_McGurk was one of the most dedicated, talented people I worked with during my time in government. He’ll make an excellent addition to the Biden team and will work tirelessly, in an non-partisan way, to advance U.S. interests in a difficult part of the world. Go Brett!.
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I'm looking forward to speaking with @MeghnaWBUR on @NPR.@OnPointRadio today at 10am. Please join us: @BelferCenter.
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Global leaders demand G20 task force is set up to co-ordinate coronavirus response - The Office of Gordon & Sarah Brown
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How will countries and companies adapt to a shifting energy landscape? I joined a superb group at @wef this year to find some answers: #wef19 #Davos2019 @CNN.
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Am reading David Rubenstein’s new book, The American Story. Wonderful way to bring American history to life! Rubenstein’s talents as an interviewer intersect with some of our country’s greatest historians (and historical figures). #theamericanstory.
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Looking forward to spending a few days at @Gustavus Adolphus College! I'll be talking about energy and international relations.
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An honor to participate in this ceremony yesterday! Congratulations to those who received their U.S. citizenship.
🇺🇸 Congratulations to everyone who became a U.S. citizen today and registered to vote! It was an honor to host your naturalization ceremony @Kennedy_School in @JFKJrForum. Special thanks to @Harvard President Larry Bacow, @Arfung, @masoudtarek, @OSullivanMeghan, and @avantinagral
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Thanks, Tom. It was my pleasure to be on the show!
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4. Most importantly, indication of an offramp of this confrontation between the US and Iran – a sign that diplomacy can be what comes next.
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1. No gloating about the fact that no Americans were killed in Iran attacks.
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3. An effort to calm tensions with the Iraqis, by stating the U.S. does not want to make Iraq the battlefield for its conflict with Iran.
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Looking forward to President Trump’s comments later this morning. Hope to see four things:.
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@DavidKenner at @TheAtlantic did a superb deep dive on how ISIS, even without a physical state, still has the cash to fund political violence in Syria and Iraq. (2/5)
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Thanks Mark for having me on - great fun to talk about energy and politics and where the two collide!
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@NikaSremac @UMNSociology @marieeberry @andrewfacini @wapppHKS So proud of you, @NikaSremac! Congratulations and good luck with this important work.
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@TrilateralNA We have returned to our roots, emphasizing the need to defend the rules-based international order - and recognizing the need to shore up the health of our own democracies in order to exercise effective global leadership. 2/6.
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@Farah_Pandith @ghoshworld @bopinion @PhilipObaji @ForeignPolicy Looking forward to checking out your new book on the topic, Farah! Link here for those who are interested:
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@ghoshworld @bopinion Lastly, @PhilipObaji had a sobering article in @ForeignPolicy yesterday on the rise of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which seems to be following the al Qaeda playbook of adaptability and local co-option. (4/5)
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Is the populist tide in America actually in retreat? @Joe_Nye offered a thoughtful argument earlier this month in @ProSyn on why this may be the case. @kennedy_school
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Richard Fontaine’s piece on the efforts to get a peace deal in Afghanistan is spot on in all respects, especially that the success of such efforts depends on the U.S. willingness to stay on if no deal is reached. @RHFontaine @theatlantic.
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On-air with @drdrew and @MikeCatherwood today to discuss Chinese interest in phasing out gasoline-fed vehicles and American energy prowess.
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Kerry Healey is an inspired choice to lead the Center on Advancing the American Dream, a new org based in DC. She will bring passion and an innovative mind to an interesting and much-needed experiment on recapturing what is at the heart of being American.
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Thanks so much for the shout-out!
My colleague @OSullivanMeghan has a fantastic new book out today. I second @ericschmidt in calling this a must read!
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