CEO of Conflict Securities Speaks

Roger W. Robinson, who also worked with the US China Security Review, spoke to attendees of the National Security Seminar about missile defense in the Czech Republic and the new administration, global security,NATO, and the upcoming trip to Prague for students in the GeoStrategic Journalism Course. He noted the seventh anniversary of the relationship between the CN and PSSI and said that he looked forward to seeing the group in Europe.” The Czechs have been put in a very tight spot” by recent complications regarding US missile defense in the country, making the visit particularly timely.

He then moved to a broader discussion of foreign policy. Robinson mentioned a WSJ piece that explained possible new sanctions against North Korea that, in his view, lacked the necessary teeth. He was particularly bothered by the lack of strong enforcement and the broadness of regulations. He reminisced about his experience in the Reagan Administration working to weaken the Soviet economic infrastructure. He then returned to the opic of North Korea, saying that more questions needed to be asked regarding financial sanctions.

On the topic of Iran, he noted how the US has shut down access to American markets for some Iranian banks. He then discussed how his company,Conflict Securities Advisory Group, linked the markets with national security and introduced the concept of limiting companies from working in countries that support anti-American elements. “Using money as leverage”, as he said. He worked on the Sudan divestment campaign and has worked on “shareholder activism”. He also helped to create a “terror-free” mutual fund and investment products.