Ukraine: Standing Firm with Our Allies to Support Democracy
1/9/25
Eric Rubin

Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine approaches its third anniversary with no sign of victory or defeat. Our election results will weigh heavily on Ukraine's road ahead. Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience in the region, Amb. Eric Rubin will examine the impact of the war and its possible outcomes.

Iran: New President, New Policies?
1/16/25
Mohsen Milani

Dr. Mohsen Milani will discuss how and why a "reformer" Pezeshkian defeated a hardliner rival in Iran's presidential election and how his policies change the Iranian political landscape. Dr. Milani will also explain how he can change Iran’s relations with the U.S. even given powerful constituencies strongly against any rapprochement between Tehran and Washington.

Does the West Have a Future?
1/23/25
Charles Kupchan

Dr. Charles Kupchan warns that the West faces an acute internal threat from political polarization and ideological extremism plus an acute external threat from a rising China partnering with a belligerent Russia.  How should America and its democratic allies get their own houses in order while simultaneously managing the challenges posed by autocratic adversaries?

Major Challenges for Europe
1/30/25
Martin Walker

Europe is facing its most difficult complex of challenges since World War II says Martin Walker. Ukraine is reeling under Russian assault: Extreme right politicians are on the march and increasingly prominent in major capitals: The main European economies are stalled with the future of the Atlantic alliance unclear.

How Do We Preserve Democracy in the 21st Century?
2/6/25
Jeremy Suri

Why are so many democracies, including American democracy, under siege today? What are the sources for current threats to democracy? What should we do? Dr. Jeremi Suri will analyze recent history to answer these questions and suggesty paths forward to preserve democracy at home and abroad.

New Faces, New Places: Global Migration in a Complex World
2/13/25
Katharine Donato

International migration is a large and growing phenomenon. Approximately 272 million people - 3.5 % of the world’s population - now live outside of their home countries, and more than 110 million people were forcibly displaced in one recent year. Dr. Katharine Donato will discuss the challenges and opportunities that global human mobility presents to global, national and local leaders.

Israel at War, the Second Year
2/20/25
Dennis Ross

The Terror Attack of October 7, Israel’s war with Hamas, and the human toll in Gaza impacted lives, alliances, and governments in the region and beyond. Amb. Dennis Ross will suggest how the situation can settle and whether there is still a path away from permanent conflict towards peace and stability.

The Next Nuclear War
2/27/25
Keir Lieber

What is the likelihood that nuclear weapons will ever be used in conflict again? Dr. Keir Lieber explains why, when, and how nuclear escalation by America's main foreign adversaries makes good strategic sense, and what U.S. leaders might do to avoid this fate.

Population Puzzle: Understanding Global Demographic Changes
3/6/25
Toshiko Kaneda

Toshiko Kaneda will address the potential challenges and opportunities of population shifts for global development and sustainability. She will examine global demographic trends today and projections for tomorrow and explain how trends in population aging, urbanization, and migration shape our world and how they could impact the future.

The Brain And Cognitive Control In Health And Disease
3/13/25
John Bruno

Cognitive control (attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) aligns decision-making behavior to our goals. Dr. John Bruno will first discuss how the healthy brain processes information. He will then describe how changes in brain networks contribute to cognitive deficits in aging and in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disorders.

The U.S. & China: Inseparable Frenemies
3/20/25
Jeffrey Moon

The U.S.-China relationship may be the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world. Former U.S. diplomat Jeffrey Moon will examine the geopolitical factors and issues American and Chinese leaders navigate as they pursue national interests, identify opportunities for cooperation, manage longstanding tensions, and promote competing visions of the global world order.

Vladimir Putin: In the Tradition of Brutal Russian Autocrats or Unique Leader?
3/27/25
John Tefft

Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia for nearly a quarter of a century. Where does he fit in Russian history? Is Putin in the long tradition of Russia's often brutal autocratic leaders or something unique? Amb. John Tefft, in discussion with Mike Boorstein, will explain Putin the man, his personal qualities and the policy traits of the Russian leader.