Is the Atlantic Partnership Dead?
1/8/10
Speaker: Dr. Jerry Pubantz

Has the pond finally reverted to an ocean? Since the Cold War, the rise of US unilateralism, apparent differences on what is important in world affairs, and fear of US hegemony, Europe and the United States appear to be following divergent paths. Dr. Jerry Pubantz asks, "Is this divergence temporary or a reflection of something permanent in our relationship?"

The Persian Gulf: U.S. and Iran Relations and Their Effects
1/15/10
Speaker: Dr. Mohsen Milani

Dr. Mohsen Milani will discuss historic issues that developed from U.S. actions and inactions in the Persian Gulf; speak to opportunities and fault lines and the effect of Iran’s disputed presidential election of June 2009; and define a plan whereby these nations may both achieve their strategic objectives in this key portion of the world.

If Universal Health Coverage in the U.S. is the Answer, What is the Question: A Status Report on the Obama Administration's Healthcare Plan.
1/22/10
Speaker: Dr. Alan Zelicoff

Alan Zelicoff, MD, will assess the plan’s ability to rein in the substantial national variations in use of expensive procedures and meet basic quality metrics for the prevention of common diseases and their complications.

Darfur and the Crisis in Sudan
1/29/10
Speaker: Dr. Peter Bechtold

Dr. Peter Bechtold presents an overview of the ethnic, religious and tribal diversity in the world's most heterogeneous society, culminating in regional rebellions against the central government. This context is followed by an analysis of the recent violence in the Western region of Darfur and of the role played by Sudanese and domestic American politics.

Can the European Union and the Euro Survive?
2/5/10
Speaker: Martin Walker

Martin Walker examines the EU where its coherence is being sorely tested by a recession even deeper than America's, by deep divisions over management of the euro currency, by Russia's selective use of its energy weapon and by a longer-term demographic fear that its ethnic and social structures are unsustainable.

What Next for U.S.-Latin American Relations, Change or Continuity?
2/12/10
Speaker: Dr. Jennie Lincoln

How does the Obama Administration approach to U.S. relations with its neighbors indicate a change in direction or continuity from the past? Dr. Lincoln will present an overview of current U.S. foreign policy priorities in Latin America and explain current trends in the hemisphere.

What Chinese Power Means For America
2/19/10
Speaker: Dr. David Lampton

Dr. David Lampton will examine how Chinese have thought about power over the ages, most particularly how they are acquiring, thinking about and using their many new capabilities today.

He will examine Beijing's growing military capabilities, and even more importantly China's growing economic and intellectual strengths, the most probable challenge for our children and grandchildren.

Yemen: Learning the Right Lessons and Avoiding the Mistakes of Iraq and Afghanistan
2/26/10
Speaker: Amb. Barbara K. Bodine

Is Yemen the Third Front on the War on Terrorism or a failed state beyond redemption? Should our focus be on crushing al Qaeda or building Yemen? What does that mean in terms of how we structure our assistance, our presence and our role? One lesson from Iraq and Afghanistan is that if security trumps governance. How do we learn that lesson and avoid those mistakes?

Islam and Secularism in Turkey
3/5/10
Speaker: Dr. Soner Cagaptay

What is the future of democracy in Turkey given the rise of the Islamist Justice and Development (AKP) government? Dr. Soner Cagaptay is a senior fellow and director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Abu Dhabi: A Small Gulf Emirate Punching Well Above Its Weight
3/12/10
Speaker: Stephen Dachi

Abu Dhabi has giant oil reserves and sovereign wealth funds engaged in "greening" its own energy base and going nuclear. One of the goals: To become an asset rather than a liability as a counterweight to a dangerous Iran. Steven Dachi and some Americans ask: Friend or Foe?

Obama's National Security Policy in the First Year: Wins and Losses
3/19/10
Speaker: Dr. Lawrence Korb

Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Lawrence Korb will discuss President Obama's national security policy, including efforts to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq and reengage in Afghanistan, evaluating Obama's success in implementing his ambitious foreign policy agenda and discussing what to expect from the President in the next year.

Pakistan: Turning Around, or Headed for Disaster?
3/26/10
Speaker: Amb. Teresita Schaffer

Pakistan is enmeshed in the insurgency in Afghanistan, and is also battling its own internal insurgency. Its relations with India have been in trouble since the attacks on Mumbai in November 2008. Amb. Teresita Schaffer will look at what Pakistan is doing, and what the United States can do, to turn this situation around.