I have a story about two very good (and, it goes without saying, smart) people - Steve Cohen & Fiona Hill - that explains 1 reason why I am so fond of them. 1/
Years ago, when I was a research asst, there was a project to be done on the energy security strategies of major energy consuming countries & how they might/might not affect those countries' foreign policies 2/
Steve Cohen asked me if I'd be interested in taking on the India paper. Fiona backed him up on it. In those days, Brookings' rules allowed senior RAs to do such papers, but it did not often happen... 3/
I spent the next several months juggling my 2 jobs at Brookings & deep-diving into the Indian energy landscape & writing the report. At that point, 1 person decided that my name cld not be put on the paper & it should be under Steve's byline, with me listed as assisting on it 4/
Steve Cohen refused to let that happen. Fiona, who had done the Russia paper, & he insisted that I get credit as the author of the paper. Then, at the project launch, the same person said I shld not be on stage w the other authors, Fiona refused to appear on stage if I didn't 5/
Neither Steve nor Fiona had to do this. I was just an RA who, in a town where ppl often kiss up & kick down, didn't really matter in larger scheme of things.
But they did. & those kind of moments - & both displayed many of them - is what makes ppl like them special in my book.
But they did. & those kind of moments - & both displayed many of them - is what makes ppl like them special in my book.
When Steve refused to put his name on the paper instead of mine, the naysayer suggested there be no author listed for the India paper. Fiona said that in that case none of the papers, including hers, should have authors listed. 7/7
For those asking, yes, the 98-page report with nearly 400 footnotes was published with my name on it & with due thanks to Steve & then interns Sidney Kwiram & Arti Trehan. I'd like to believe that it (& I) justified Steve and Fiona's faith in me.
