In one meeting, where there was broad agreement at a senior level that we should invite the leaders of key Arab countries to Washington as soon as possible to reassure them of our support, I couldn’t contain myself. “Maybe if we’re going to have all the corrupt autocrats over, we could think about actually inviting some of these young people, too…for balance.” The people at the table sat there grimly; the young people on the back bench loved it. I was inspired by the moment; I was also making enemies.
