The Next Germany
1/11/22
Jeffrey Gedmin

Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin will discuss how Europe’s biggest economy, a nation rich — and problematic — in history — is a country in flux. Voter ties to mainstream parties are loosening. There are signs of social fragmentation; extremist elements are visible, and perhaps on the rise. Is German democracy in trouble?

Pandemics: From "What If" to "What Now"?
1/18/22
John Sinnott

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American government failed miserably in their response to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. John Sinnott will explain that the threat of a pandemic dramatically increased over the past three decades, review what went wrong and where we go from here.

Energy Transition: Is it feasible? What will it entail?
1/25/22
Richard Jones

With the change of Administrations, energy transition is on the front burner of American politics. President Biden proposes incentives to spur new energy technologies. Amb. Richard Jones will discuss whether the new Administration’s goals are attainable and the ways in which the US energy landscape would need to change to accomplish them.

Was U.S.-China Engagement a Big Mistake: Where Do We Go from Here?
2/1/22
David Lampton

Richard Nixon went to China fifty years ago with the belief that joining with China would help contain the Soviet Union. Future Presidents enlarged his policies, until relations with Beijing became Washington's most important single bilateral relationship. Was "Engagement" a big mistake? Dr. David Lampton will discuss where are U.S.-China relations headed now?

U.S. Policy Towards the Middle East
2/8/22
Dennis Ross

Amb. Dennis Ross sketches the contours of the Middle East facing the Biden administration, from the challenge posed by Iran’s nuclear program, regional ambitions, and missile development to the opportunities presented by the burgeoning relations between Israel and many Sunni Arab states, symbolized by the Abraham Accords.

The Online Accelerator
2/15/22
Margaret Jay

An unexpected result of the Covid 19 pandemic has been to hugely increase the extent to which we live our lives online. In the U.K. we think internet use has speeded up by a decade. Everything from work and medical activity to family visits and shopping seems to have become virtual. Baroness Margaret Jay will address wether this is a short term fix in a crisis or a permanent change and how much should we welcome or fear it?

Military Assistance vs Military Operations: A Cure for the Forever Wars
2/22/22
Charles Ray

Amb. Charles Ray will discuss a way that the US military can deal with terrorist organizations while still preparing to conduct operations (if necessary) against near peer competitors like Russia or China, through a focus on military assistance and training. This focus will minimize operations that mire our defense establishment in ‘forever wars.’

Military Support to Civil Authorities
3/1/22
Russel Honoré

As a 37-year Army veteran, Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré has actively responded to myriad national disasters. He will share his experiences regarding emergency preparedness and the U.S. military's responsibility to respond to the needs of civil authorities when a national-security crisis occurs. His no-nonsense approach is riveting.

Ethiopia and its Prime Minister-From Nobel Laureate to War Crimes
3/8/22
William Davison

Three years ago, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy AlI brought ethnic harmony to fractious Ethiopia and it neighbors and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019. He then directed war against Tigray, resorting to “war crimes”. William Davison will explain the history and how a leader with apparently peaceful intent has turned bloody.

Current Issues in US Intelligence
3/15/22
Mark Lowenthal

U.S. intelligence must be flexible in order to respond to evolvong issues, as well as changes in the political leadership. Dr. Mark Lowenthal will discuss how U.S. intelligence has changed with the Biden administration and the major policy issues that intelligence addresses

Negotiating with North Korea
3/22/22
Stephen Biegun

Stephen Biegun will discuss the current state of affairs in North Korea, and prospects for future negotiations. From August 2018 through January 2021, he served as the Special Representative for North Korea and was the lead official for the 2019 Summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un.

Our Own Worst Enemy: The Global Assault From Within on Modern Democracy
3/29/22
Thomas Nichols

Democracy is in trouble around the world – but who is really to blame? Thomas Nichols challenges us to rethink the origins of anti-democratic movements and to consider whether the responsibility rests on the citizens of the democracies themselves.