In This Story
“Europe shouldn't be relying on the United States for support.”
With that pointed remark, former CIA Director John Brennan captured the tone of a candid and far-reaching conversation at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, where three of the nation’s most prominent former intelligence leaders gathered to dissect the crises reshaping the global order.
The October 29 discussion, “The Directors: A Conversation on Intelligence and National Security,” at George Mason’s Mason Square auditorium was hosted by the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security. The event brought together for the first time former NSA and CIA Director and namesake of the center Michael V. Hayden, former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Ellen McCarthy, and Brennan.
The 90-minute conversation was moderated by Hayden Center Executive Director Larry Pfeiffer and can be viewed at the Hayden Center YouTube page here.
The event drew an in-person audience of 225 of students, faculty, and community members eager to hear these national security leaders share their perspectives on some of the most pressing global issues of today. Nearly 500 others watched the livestream.
The talk was followed by a question-and-answer session with audience members and covered a wide range of topics, including the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the evolving role of intelligence services in addressing today’s complex geopolitical challenges.
Throughout the evening, the speakers drew on decades at the helm of America’s intelligence and foreign policy apparatus and reflected on how intelligence gathering, analysis, and policymaking intersect in moments of crisis. They also weighed in on how they believe the current situation in the intelligence community is harming the ability to keep Americans safe.
Brennan emphasized, in regard to the Russia-Ukraine war, that Europe should lessen its reliance on the United States for defense by increasing its own investment.
Hayden reflected on the challenges of maintaining U.S. credibility and leadership in an era of global uncertainty while McCarthy offered insights from her time at the State Department, underscoring the need for collaboration between intelligence agencies and diplomatic institutions to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
Students in attendance described the discussion as both eye-opening and inspiring.
“This was such a great event to attend,” said Adam Litchfield, a first-year student government and international politics major. “It was fascinating to hear such distinguished people talk about the issues of today with incredible insight.”
Events such as this first-ever panel of intelligence leaders highlight the Schar School’s commitment to connecting students with the nation’s top policy and intelligence experts. The Hayden Center continues to serve as a premier forum for thoughtful, nonpartisan dialogue on national and international security issues.
For the Schar School community, the evening was a powerful reminder of the value of informed debate and public service.
