The President's Inbox
1/7/21
Christopher Hill

The last year has been like no other in recent memory. As the new Administration takes office, it will face the challenge of redefining a changed U.S. role in the world. Amb.Christopher Hill will discuss the most urgent challenges brewing, their underlying causes and the President's options for protecting U.S. national interest.

America’s Strategic Future in a World of Rival Authoritarian Great Powers
1/14/21
Dan Twining

We live in an era of great-power competition. Rivals in China and Russia want to undermine American alliances and make the world safe for autocracy. How should the U.S. navigate this new world? Dr. Daniel Twining will discuss what is the right strategy for managing rivals who want to upset the world America built?

The Impact of the Coronavirus on the Conduct of U.S. Diplomacy and Historical Perspectives from Africa
1/21/21
Jimmy Kolker

The United States Government was inadequately prepared for the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. Amb. Jimmy Kolker discusses this, the implications for America's standing, and the world's capacity to prevent and respond to epidemics and health challenges. What lessons can we draw from AIDS, polio, Ebola and other health experiences in Africa?

Drones and Drone Warfare
1/28/21
John Jackson

Drones are emerging as the new weapon of choice in modern warfare. Naval War College Prof. John E. Jackson will discuss the past, present and future uses of robotic and unmanned systems, both in the military services and in private use. Jackson will discuss the systems involved, the operational challenge they address, and the legal and ethical ramifications of their use.

The European Union: What's Next?
2/4/21
Martin Walker

Summary: Covid-19 unleashed a horrendous health crisis leading to a severe economic downturn. The rift between northern and southern EU countries has deepened and borders have hardened. Martin Walker examines these issues and others that threaten cooperation and solidarity of the member countries.

Neglected Crises: Casandras
2/11/21
Wendy Chamberlin

News outlets besiege followers of global news with reports, analyses and opinions on the big events of the day. But what happens after the media move on to the next big story? Amb. Wendy Chamberlin’s presentation looks at crises that are still threatening but have faded from the front pages.

Presidential Leadership in Crises
2/18/21
Jeremi Suri

The United States has endured many crises in its history; wars, pandemics and severe economic contractions. Leaders helped citizens to survive these crises and improve American society. Dr. Jeremi Suri will discuss the lessons for our leaders to manage our current crises and help us to build a better country.

Food Security: Bringing Science and Politics to the Table
2/25/21
Aron Troen

Is food a commodity or human right? Dr. Aron Troen will discuss that securing a sustainable supply of abundant, safe, nutritious, and affordable food for this and future generations is one of the great challenges of our time. To feed our families and planet, we will have to invite both science and politics to the table.

Indispensable Nation? The U.S. Role in World Order
3/4/21
Robert Lieber

For nearly seven decades America created and sustained international institutions, economic order and regional stability. It served as leader and defender of the liberal democracies and market economies. Dr. Robert Lieber discusses if that role is still possible or even desirable? And what are the implications for America’s security, prosperity, and even its values?

China’s Economic Challenges and U.S.- China Competition
3/11/21
David Dollar

China will be the world’s largest economy by 2035 if current trends continue. Dr. David Dollar will focus on challenges that may alter that scenario -- population aging, environmental degradation, financial instability, and the uncomfortable co-existence of private and state enterprises. Trade tensions with the U.S. are more a reflection than a cause of China’s difficulties

Syria and the Kurds
3/18/21
Robert Ford

Syria and its allies have largely won the civil war. 500 American soldiers have been guarding oilfields in eastern Syria for 2 years. Can they help fix Syria, but at what cost and purpose? What about our Kurkish allies against ISIS? Amb. Robert Ford will look at a bitter war’s end.

Russia-American Relations after our Presidential Election
3/25/21
Robert Barylski

While Americans wrestled with social, medical, and political turmoil, Russian society was unusually calm. But events in Belarus and Ukraine prove younger generations want to live according to European norms. Is Russia inherently different? Dr. Barylski will discuss prospects for ending the new Cold War given the outcome of America’s 2020 elections.