Changing American Attitudes on Foreign Policy: A Challenge to Policymakers
1/8/25
Jeremy Shapiro

American attitudes about foreign and security policy have changed significantly in the last decade. A new isolationism has developed among Republicans, while Democratic voters are increasingly critical of American policies in the Middle East. Jeremy Shapiro will explore the underlying factors that are producing the shifts.

The President’s Inbox
1/15/25
Charles Lane

The President of the United States has a very full inbox of domestic problems and international conflicts. Charles Lane will review the major issues the new President will need to address. He will focus on the key foreign policy challenges facing the President.

Climate Change and Health: The Cost of Inaction
1/22/25
Bob Bunting

Bob Bunting will describe how our health will be impacted by climate change. Heat increasingly impacts human health with the spread of infectious diseases and respiratory illness from pollen, harmful algae (red tide) and smoke. All are increasing due to a warming climate. Mental health is impacted by fears of hurricanes and rising sea levels.

Space as a Warfighting Domain
1/29/25
Wendy Whitman Cobb

Recent developments have led the U.S. to consider space a warfighting domain and create the US Space Force. Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb will discuss the ways in which space is increasingly congested, competitive, and contested, highlighting the increased role of states like Russia and China and commercial companies like SpaceX.

Women's Rights and Leadership in Afghanistan: Struggles and Resilience
2/5/25
Lina Tori Jan

Lina Tori Jan explores the dramatic shifts in women's rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return in 2021, highlighting restrictions on education, employment, and public life, and showcasing resilient women leaders. She will present insights on women's rights and the ongoing fight for equality and justice.

The Dark Arts: Ungentlemanly Warfare for Our Time
2/12/25
Sean McFate

We are not defenseless against autocratic bullies like Russia, China, and Iran. While democracies are vulnerable to disinformation, we have tools to respond without nuclear escalation. Dr. Sean McFate will explain the dark arts and the questions about ethical, legal, and strategic concerns that pose the dilema: Is it somehow better to lose honorably than win dishonorably?

The Current State and Probable Future of Russia
2/19/25
John Beyrle

Russia's war on Ukraine has resulted in international sanctions and a revived NATO. In a conversation with Craig Kennedy, Amb. John Beyrle will discuss the state of Russian politics and prospects for ending the conflict with Ukraine. He will also address Vladmir Putin’s leadership in these turbulent times.

Artificial Intelligence: Changing How We Work
2/26/25
Frank Ostroff

Frank Ostroff discusses how organizations can benefit from Generative AI (GAI) by embedding GAI in employees’ work, and ensuring that employees have the skills, behaviors, and mindsets needed to make effective use of GAI. He will present an approach that ensures organizations capture and sustain value from GAI.

Artificial Intellgence: Changing the Future of War
3/5/25
Elliot Ackerman

Constructing a successful defense against attack from foreign adversaries requires more than armaments and soldiers.  In a discussion with Jeff Olesen, author Elliot Ackerman will illustrate the importance of artificial intelligence and imagination, the ability to apply knowledge and integrate experience and learning, in addressing the national security threats facing the United States.

The Middle East You Don't Know
3/12/25
Ellen Laipson

The Arab Spring’s promise for a new relationship between Arab states and their citizens unraveled. Is there still a demand for change and reform given social, political and economic trends? Are important developments not covered in the western press? Ellen Laipson will try to illuminate some of the complicated realities of this key region.

Chasm: Governing Immigration in a Fractured Nation
3/19/25
Daniel Tichenor

Daniel Tichenor will discuss how Americans have been at political war over immigration for centuries. Yet our great partisan divide on the issue is a relatively new development. He will highlight how previous generations overcame their ideological conflicts to enact major policy reforms, and why current partisan polarization fuels a broken immigration system.

China’s Economic Rise: Where Did it Come From and Where is it Headed?
3/26/25
Shelly Rigger

When Deng Xiaoping became China’s leader the economy was staggering from four decades of catastrophic mismanagement. 20 years later, the Chinese economy was growing at 10% per year. How did a country with no business and no private property become the factory to the world? Dr. Shelley Rigger will address China's future.