Shawn Ryan Show

#268 Mike Waltz - Special Forces Green Beret Turned UN Ambassador Warns About China

January 5, 2026

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  • Ambassador Mike Waltz attributes his strong sense of independence and self-motivation to being raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs and prioritized his education despite personal hardship. 
  • The discipline learned in rigorous military training, exemplified by rationing Skittles during Ranger School, is directly applied by Waltz to leadership roles in politics and diplomacy, emphasizing servant leadership. 
  • Waltz highlights the critical importance of veterans serving in political office to bring ground truth, mission focus, and the ability to overcome differences to the legislative process, contrasting it with the dominance of lawyers and activists in politics. 
  • The discussion highlights the critical importance of strategic restraint in military operations, illustrated by Mike Waltz's anecdote about choosing not to eliminate a child spotter, and historical examples like Truman in Korea and Bush 41 in the Gulf War. 
  • The current military incentive structure, favoring risk mitigation over aggressive action in the all-volunteer force, is contrasted with the draft era, potentially leading to strategic inaction and defeat, as seen in the accumulation of restrictive rules in Afghanistan. 
  • Mike Waltz, as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, is focused on aggressively reforming the organization by cutting bureaucracy, ensuring burden-sharing among allies, and fighting against international regulations that harm American industry, particularly concerning China's growing global influence. 
  • The US faces a critical supply chain vulnerability, exemplified by reliance on Russia, China, and Tajikistan for antimony, necessitating a push for domestic or allied self-sufficiency, which Mike Waltz links to economic strength being the true "big stick." 
  • Mike Waltz views his role as UN Ambassador as an opportunity to push for administrative reform, emphasizing the need for a reform-minded Secretary General to save the institution from bureaucratic stagnation and refocus it on core conflict resolution rather than "woke nonsense." 
  • Mike Waltz shared a deeply personal anecdote highlighting President Trump's compassionate engagement with the 13 Gold Star families of Abbeygate, contrasting it with the previous administration's inaccessibility, and stressed the immense burden carried by military and diplomatic families. 

Segments

Waltz’s Humble Beginnings
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(00:00:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Ambassador Mike Waltz grew up on the poorer west side of Jacksonville, Florida, raised primarily by his mother after his father, a Navy Chief, left when Waltz was an infant.
  • Summary: Waltz recounted growing up in a Navy town with a single mother who worked three jobs, including night security guard and dental hygienist, while putting herself through college over 15 years. He only met his estranged father once, as an adult while attending VMI. This upbringing instilled a strong sense of self-motivation and independence.
Introduction and Accomplishments
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(00:06:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Waltz is a retired Green Beret Colonel, the first elected to Congress, who served on key committees including the China Task Force and co-founded a bipartisan veterans caucus.
  • Summary: Waltz’s extensive career includes serving as a Congressman, National Security Advisor, and current U.S. Representative to the UN. He co-founded Metis Solutions, authored bestsellers like Warrior Diplomat, and is married to Julia, an Army veteran.
Impact of Single Motherhood
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(00:08:49)
  • Key Takeaway: Waltz’s mother actively sought out positive male role models, including enrolling him in a gifted program and encouraging his participation in a men’s Bible study, to compensate for his absent father.
  • Summary: Waltz credits his mother for instilling self-motivation by making him responsible for his own schedule and homework due to her demanding work schedule. He also draws parallels to his wife’s success, who was raised by a single immigrant mother alongside four siblings, highlighting the strength of women leaders.
Military Service Motivation
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(00:18:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Waltz’s interest in service was fueled by a deep childhood immersion in military history, particularly World War II figures like Patton and Marshall, influenced by his VMI-graduate priest.
  • Summary: He graduated from VMI as a distinguished military graduate, commissioning into the Army, and later sought out the Green Berets, taking two attempts to pass the selection process. VMI taught him the importance of sacrosanct rules (like the honor code) versus bendable rules, a lesson useful in unconventional warfare.
Green Beret Mission Philosophy
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(00:22:58)
  • Key Takeaway: The Special Forces mission emphasizes unconventional warfare, such as building clinics and winning over local populations, which proved more effective than traditional kinetic operations in certain scenarios.
  • Summary: Waltz recounted an operation where his team hosted a medical clinic, leading to the capture of a high-value Taliban commander through local cooperation rather than direct engagement. He noted the complexity of working with allied forces, citing instances where European partners were constrained by restrictive Rules of Engagement (ROE).
Policy Writing and Ground Truth
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(00:30:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Waltz actively bridged the gap between policy creation in Washington and execution in the field by serving in the Pentagon while simultaneously remaining in the Army Reserves as a Green Beret.
  • Summary: His initial policy work focused on counter-narcotics in Afghanistan, mirroring successful efforts in Colombia. He maintained this dual role to ensure he could speak truth to power based on direct combat experience, applying a ‘bottoms-up leadership’ mentality.
Discipline and Servant Leadership
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(00:34:52)
  • Key Takeaway: The discipline required to ration scarce resources, like Skittles during Ranger School, is foundational to servant leadership, where the leader ensures the team is supported before themselves.
  • Summary: Waltz shared a story where his failure to share his saved Skittles resulted in a poor peer review, teaching him that earning the tab is easier than living the ethos of servant leadership. He applied this principle during his Congressional campaign by outworking opponents and later by honoring fallen soldiers like Matt Pacino.
Veterans in Politics
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(00:46:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Veterans are crucial in politics because they possess inherent leadership, teamwork, and mission focus, which is needed to counteract the current political landscape dominated by lawyers and activists.
  • Summary: Waltz noted that the percentage of veterans in Congress has dropped significantly since the 1970s, partly due to the shift from a draft to an all-volunteer force requiring long deployments. He emphasizes that veterans must step up to serve again to ensure the country moves forward based on shared values.
Afghanistan Combat Story
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(00:57:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Waltz survived a 40-hour kinetic evasion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, after an insider threat compromised his position, requiring constant guidance from Major Scott Mann and overwhelming US air support.
  • Summary: During a mission to survey a strategic airfield site, Waltz’s medic suffered a femoral bleed during an ambush where they were pinned down by mortar teams on barges. Scott Mann directed air assets, including an AC-130, to suppress enemy positions while guiding Waltz and his team out of the surrounded area.
Sponsor Reads and Health Foundation
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(01:08:20)
  • Key Takeaway: AG1 simplifies daily nutrition by consolidating multivitamins, pre/probiotics, and superfoods into one scoop for consistent health.
  • Summary: Optimal performance requires a solid health foundation, as nutrient deficiencies hinder peak output. AG1 is presented as an easy, impactful habit that consolidates numerous supplements into a single daily scoop. The NextGen formula includes added essential vitamins and minerals to address common nutrient gaps.
Letting Go for New Year
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(01:10:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Achieving personal progress involves letting go of what weighs you down rather than chasing an unrealistic ’new you'.
  • Summary: Setting unrealistic goals leads to burnout; shifting focus to releasing unnecessary stress and old habits creates space for forward movement. Therapy via BetterHelp offers perspective and clarity to address unresolved issues weighing individuals down. BetterHelp matches clients exclusively with licensed U.S. therapists, simplifying access to mental health support.
Restraint in Combat Decisions
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(01:12:16)
  • Key Takeaway: The necessity of knowing when to show restraint, even under fire, is a crucial leadership lesson distinct from aggressive posturing.
  • Summary: Mike Waltz recounted an incident where he opted for a warning shot against a child spotter, illustrating the difficulty of lethal decision-making. Historical examples of strategic restraint include Grant’s surrender terms and Truman choosing not to strike China during the Korean War. The ultimate example of restraint cited is Vasily Arkhipov refusing to launch a nuclear torpedo during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Consequences of Restraint and Policy Feedback
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(01:17:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Rules of engagement and political repercussions often tie the hands of frontline operators, creating moral dilemmas regarding necessary action.
  • Summary: The host shared a similar experience where rules prevented engagement against children potentially setting up an IED, leading to a successful attack later. Waltz noted that leaders must grant junior personnel latitude to make split-second calls, contrasting this with political prosecution exemplified by pardons for Blackwater contractors and the Eddie Gallagher case. The military’s incentive structure under the all-volunteer force often prioritizes risk mitigation over mission success, leading to inaction.
Veteran Advocacy and Legislative Wins
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(01:31:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Service is not in vain when veterans actively engage in the political process to fix bureaucratic failures affecting service members.
  • Summary: Waltz detailed legislative successes achieved in Congress, including changing rules so the Pentagon would pay for dual burials for fallen Green Berets and securing VA funding for service dogs. These actions demonstrate that getting involved in policy can directly address frustrating bureaucratic issues faced by the military community. The sacrifice of service members is validated by continuing to fight for positive change.
America First Policy Implementation
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(01:34:39)
  • Key Takeaway: The current administration is actively reversing negative trends by focusing on domestic security, rebuilding the industrial base, and demanding NATO burden-sharing.
  • Summary: The administration is turning around military recruiting, focusing on technology, and rebuilding shipyards, all while demanding allies meet defense spending commitments. Significant progress in the Middle East includes unanimous UN Security Council support for the President’s peace plan, leading to hostage releases and reduced Iranian influence. An America First policy is characterized by prioritizing domestic security, evidenced by massive border funding and increased enforcement.
UN Purpose and Reform Efforts
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(01:48:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The UN’s core purpose is preventing global conflict, but it has become bloated, requiring the US to leverage its funding role to force cuts and focus on core security issues.
  • Summary: The UN was established post-WWII to prevent global war, but it has suffered from bureaucratic bloat, focusing on non-essential issues like climate over core security mandates. The US contributes 25% of the budget and is withholding funds until reforms are enacted, including cutting 2,600 bureaucrats and achieving an 18% budget reduction. The UN provides a necessary global platform for diplomacy, but the US must actively participate to ensure its interests, like blocking the international shipping carbon tax, are protected from Chinese and European influence.
The CCP as the Greatest Threat
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(02:14:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) represents the greatest threat due to its unparalleled economic and technological might, challenging the US across all domains.
  • Summary: No previous adversary possessed the CCP’s rival economic power combined with an open goal of surpassing US technological dominance. China is building ships at a 3-to-5-to-1 rate compared to the US, and its space launches surpassed the rest of the world combined in 2018. The primary obstacle to US strength is supply chain dependency, exemplified by the near-crisis over antimony, a key ammunition component controlled by Russia and China.
Antimony Supply Chain Crisis
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(02:17:52)
  • Key Takeaway: US reliance on China, Russia, and Tajikistan for antimony mining and refining created a crisis addressed by forcing a Pentagon stockpile.
  • Summary: Five US antimony mines in Idaho and Utah were shut down due to environmental over-regulation, leaving only Tajikistan, Russia, and China as global suppliers. Mike Waltz, alongside veterans, successfully pressured the Pentagon to establish an emergency stockpile. The long-term solution involves revitalizing domestic mining/refining or securing supply from allied nations to achieve self-sufficiency.
UN Reform and Secretary General
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(02:19:21)
  • Key Takeaway: The upcoming UN Secretary General election is a critical opportunity to elect a reform-minded leader to save the institution from bureaucratic collapse.
  • Summary: The UN needs saving from sinking under its own bureaucratic weight, requiring a reform-minded Secretary General elected by consensus among veto-holding powers (China, Russia, US, Europeans). The UN should be leading conflict resolution in areas like Cambodia, India/Pakistan, and Armenia/Azerbaijan, rather than focusing on “woke nonsense.”
Waltz Family Tribute and Service Burden
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(02:20:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The families of service members bear the unseen burden of service, often dealing with physical or psychological aftermath when personnel return.
  • Summary: Mike Waltz publicly thanked his wife, a combat veteran and former State Department hostage envoy, acknowledging that husbands rarely win arguments against such accomplished partners. He emphasized that families bear the burden of service, dealing with personnel returning missing limbs or psychological trauma. He expressed deep appreciation for Gold Star families and all families supporting those in intelligence, diplomatic, or military service.
Trump’s Compassion for Gold Star Families
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(02:22:12)
  • Key Takeaway: President Trump provided immediate, personal, and extended comfort to the 13 Gold Star families of Abbeygate when the sitting Commander-in-Chief would not grant them an audience.
  • Summary: The 13 Gold Star families of Abbeygate could not secure an audience with the previous commander-in-chief (Biden) following their loss. Mike Waltz arranged for President Trump to meet them at Bedminster, where he spent the entire night listening, shaking hands, and sharing a meal. The mothers later told Waltz and his wife that the encounter was the best thing that had happened since losing their sons.