SOURCE National Press ClubGen. Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Advisor to President Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, will assess the foreign policy challenges facing the Obama Administration during a National Press Club Speakers Luncheon on June 14. His speech will follow the 24th annual Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Journalism Awards presentations for distinguished reporting on the presidency and national defense.
Gen. Scowcroft, who assisted President Barack Obama in selecting his national security team, has advised presidents on military and security issues since Richard Nixon's administration. Scowcroft publicly opposed President George W. Bush's policy on Iraq in the lead up to and aftermath of the U.S. invasion and occupation of that country.
He will discuss President Obama's efforts to revive the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, anti-government turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East, policy options involving Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan, challenges posed by Iran and China and other important foreign policy issues. Gen. Scowcroft remains involved in foreign policy issues as president of The Scowcroft Group, an international business consulting firm, and through membership in such organizations as the Council on Foreign Relations, the Center for Strategic and International Studies and The Atlantic Council of the United States. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In related news, Steven M. Ford, chairman of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and son of the late President, will present awards to two journalists for the 24th time since his father established the program to recognize distinguished reporting on the presidency and national defense. The awards include a prize of $5,000. Winner for coverage of the presidency this year is Steven Tomma of McClatchy Newspapers. Winner for coverage of national defense is Shane Harris of Washingtonian magazine.
Publisher's Note: Years after the Kuwait baby incubator deception that helped spark Desert Storm, Scowcroft, who was security advisor at the time, said it was, "useful in mobilizing public opinion" Not only that, for several Congressmen it was the main factor in voting for the Gulf War.
