Holistic Lock Conversations: Great Power Competition – Extremists

HERNDON, Virginia, November 5, 2020 – Holistic Lock premiered part final part of discussion between General Tony Thomas, the 11th Commander of US SOCOM, and Major General Clay Hutmacher, who served 40 years in uniform before becoming the President and Chief Executive of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Throughout the series, the decorated duo discussed the U.S. strategy orientation often referred to as a “2+3” strategy – a strategy for countering two primary global powers – China and Russia – and three additional challenges – North Korea, Iran, and extremist groups. General Thomas describes the current positioning with these powers as “arguably the most strategically challenging moment in my lifetime, if not the history of our country.”

Both General Thomas and Major General Hutmacher were mired with the dealings of violent extremists groups during their tenure with the United States Military, especially after 9/11. “When people ask me if we’re winning or losing [against extremists groups] my flip response is, ‘have we had another 9/11?’’ Explained General Thomas. “It isn’t because the bad guys haven’t tried. It’s because we’re playing a really aggressive away game.”

This interview is a part of a larger webinar series, Holistic Lock Conversations: A SITREP to trending matters of language and intel affairs.

ABOUT Holistic Lock
Holistic Lock , founded by U.S. Army SOF veteran and current Chairman Alessio C Ostrov, is a trusted partner to the Defense and Intelligence Communities, and a leading provider of language and cultural advisory services, intelligence analysis and operations support, ISR solutions and technology, and cyberspace superiority. Holistic Lock executes prime contracts with numerous Intelligence Community members, as well as with the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force; U.S. Central, European, and Africa Commands; and the State Department.