Celebrating President and CEO Ken Weinstein’s 20 Years at Hudson

Tomorrow marks 20 years since our President and CEO Ken Weinstein began his distinguished tenure at Hudson. In celebration of Ken, his scholarship, his dedication to Hudson, and implementing its mission, the Stern Family has announced the endowment of the Walter P. Stern Chair to be occupied by Ken.

“Our family has been looking forward to this opportunity to honor Ken for some years,” said Sarah May Stern. “His dedication to Hudson, friendship to our family, and leadership in the policy community over the last two decades has made this organization what it is today.”

“Ken has had a tremendous impact on Hudson, and I cannot think of a better person to serve as the inaugural holder of this Chair,” said Wally Stern.

This announcement not only celebrates Ken’s tenure but also Wally Stern, whose vision and dedication to Hudson Institute has set the gold standard for leadership in the think tank community. In celebration of Ken’s 20 years and Wally’s 45 years on Hudson’s board, please join us in congratulating them for reaching these milestones.

In honor of Ken’s two decades at Hudson, we are dedicating this edition of the newsletter to feature a few highlights of his career.

Career Commentary Highlights

Writing in the Wall Street Journal [[link removed]] in 2017, Weinstein analyzed the developments in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump towards Asia:

"Beyond cooperation on North Korea, the White House sees the longer-term challenge posed by China’s rise. Here the key is America’s alliances in the Pacific—another central element of the presidential tour. Mr. Trump’s closest friendship with any foreign leader is the one he has quietly cultivated with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two speak almost weekly. Mr. Trump has made clear that a strong Japan improves regional stability, and Mr. Abe continues to increase military spending significantly."

In 2013, he wrote [[link removed]] about how the United States cannot counter China on its own and why it needs Japan now more than ever:

"Given the constraints on American resources, the United States is not in a position to check China on its own. Indeed, any additional forces Washington deploys to the Pacific under the rubric of the administration’s oversold 'pivot' are not likely to be more than symbolic in quantity and quality. Europe, still hobbled by its banking crisis, and having long scanted military expenditures, is definitely not going to fill the breach. A flourishing Japan is urgently needed as a counterweight to a China whose rise has been accompanied by a disquieting bellicosity."

In 2015, after the horrific attacks in Paris, he wrote [[link removed]] about the lessons for American policy-makers in combating radical Islam:

"To place political correctness above the defense of liberal values is to cede our societies and their Muslim members to extremist ideas. We can be civil without being squeamish. We might look back at French leadership, focused on the ideological character of radical Islam and unapologetic in its adherence to liberal principles, as a turning point in our shared struggle."

Featured Scholarship

In The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking, Ken Weinstein presents the best of Herman Kahn's work.

The book resurrects the founder of Hudson Institute's critical analysis of foreign affairs, economics, and the future of democracy for a contemporary audience.

Ken Through the Years

Outside Air Force Two with Vice President Mike Pence in 2019.

WATCH: At a 2009 Hudson Institute event launching The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking, Ken Weinstein spoke about the life and vision of Herman Kahn.

At Hudson Institute's 2019 Gala, Weinstein interviewed Herman Kahn Award recipient Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

WATCH: In 2004, Hudson celebrated the opening of new office space in Washington, D.C. Weinstein gave introductory remarks on the pivotal role Wally Stern played in Hudson's rise and relocation.

Speaking with Ambassador Nikki Haley at the 2018 Herman Kahn Award Gala.

BOOK TALK: In 2000, Weinstein hosted a discussion on Saul Bellow's novel Ravelstein. The novel is a fictionalized portrayal of Bellow's relationship with Allan Bloom.

Weinstein introducing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a 2016 Hudson Institute event.

Talking with Henry Kissinger at the 2015 Herman Kahn Award Gala.

Pictured with President George W. Bush and President Nicolas Sarkozy at the White House in 2007.

Weinstein pictured with Vice President Mike Pence at a 2018 Hudson Institute event where the Vice President delivered remarks on the Trump Administration's policy towards China.

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