Jack D. Gordon Institute Hosts Chat with U.S. Southern Command Admiral

By Carlos Ricaurte | Contributing Writer

On Oct. 25, FIU received the retired US Navy Admiral Craig Faller for a fireside chat, discussing topics of leadership, national security, and the role of the United States in the western hemisphere. 

The event, which took place in the newly-built SIPA II, was courtesy of the Jack Gordon Institute for Public Policy at FIU, serving as an opportunity to discuss national security and the role of the US Navy with the former Commander of the United States Southern Command. 

The talk began at 2 p.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m., during which everything from the personal upbringing of the Admiral to the growing role of China in Latin America was discussed, and what that represented for the United States.

With the moderation of Leland Lazarus, Admiral Fuller began his statements on the matter of leadership and his personal life, how this all connected to his decision to join the Navy, where he served for 42 years. 

“During his career, the Admiral was always a leader capable of navigating through turbulent waters….. and establishing strategic partnerships with Latin American countries via the United States Southern Command”, said Lazarus, as he introduced the Admiral.  

The Admiral himself further emphasized the voluntary nature of these partnerships. 

 “There is as much that can be done with a handshake that can be done with a fist,” said Admiral Faller. 

This was followed by a question from Lazarus, the moderator, in which the Admiral was asked to further delve into his role leading the Command, namely in his tasks with dealing with the states of the Caribbean and Latin America. 

Through this, the Admiral made a strong critique of previous American foreign policy approaches, such as the Monroe Doctrine. Instead, the Admiral proceeded to align himself with the foreign policies associated with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or the Good Neighbor Policy. 

“We should aim somewhat towards a Good Neighbor Policy 2.0,” stated Admiral Faller. 

This new policy is to be based on the mutual respect the United States should have with its neighbors in the region. 

“As a global leader, the United States needs to treat the world like a neighborhood,” said the Admiral, while answering one of the questions laid out by Lazarus. 

The event was shortly ended after more rounds of comments and questions, as the Admiral had other events to attend. These comments were mostly based around what the role of the Navy was in a post-COVID world, and tensions rising with China over Taiwan. 

The Fireside Chat was marked with critical analysis and conversation, as part of the courtesy of the Jack Gordon Institute to further this type of discourse within Florida International University, especially upon the potential challenges to national security in the region.  

“There has to be more scholarly research that has to deal with the need to strive towards a better future,” said Admiral Faller.