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Steve Clemons on North Korea

New America American Strategy Program Director Steve Clemons shares his thoughts on the Bush administration's removing North Korea from the "Axis of Evil" list.

Steve Clemons - Open Up Exchange and Travel With Cuba

On Day One, the next president needs to take stock of how eroded and degraded our foreign policy position is with much of the world. One of the lowest hanging fruit opportunities to improve our foreign policy portfolio is to use people-to-people exchange, cultural exchange, and relaxed travel allowances to open up our relationship with Cuba.

Steve Clemons, Steve Coll & Peter Bergen on Pakistan

Steve Clemons, Steve Coll and Peter Bergen discuss Pakistani stability, US foreign policy, Musharraf's waning power and Bhutto's assassination.

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My Debt to G. Bruce Baker

Share / Recommend - Comment - Print - Monday, Apr 09 2007, 10:04AM

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This is just a personal note that one of the people who helped launch me professionally passed away in late March, and his obituary appeared recently in the Los Angeles Times.

G. Bruce Baker -- who was a key architect of Citibank's operations in Asia -- was also one of the people who hired me at 23 years old to serve as Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Southern California.

Baker was on my board of directors for the seven years I served in that job -- and he taught me much about strategy, about professional temperament, standing my ground -- and knowing when to lose small professional battles to win a war. He was a rough guy but kind, and the New England drawl that had been Californianized made his words aesthetically memorable -- though the substance of what he was saying needed no gloss. I spent many Thanksgiving dinners at his home in Pasadena -- just near the Rose Bowl.

I owe Bruce Baker a lot -- as well as others who nurtured my deep interest in policy entrepreneurship and activism.

-- Steve Clemons

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Reader Comments (3) - post a comment

Posted by Killer Whale Apr 09, 12:36PM - Link

Steve,

It is always tough when we lose someone who is is dear to us. I am sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Posted by Marcia Apr 09, 1:29PM - Link

Not only is it dreadful when the lives of friends come to an end but there are all those memories no longer shared.
Best regards.

Posted by Marky Apr 09, 9:40PM - Link

Steve, Thanks for sharing this with us. I'm sorry for your loss, but I appreciate hearing about one of your influences. Whatever our disagreements, I appreciate your results-oriented style of analyzing politics without regard to party.