A live panel discussion goes in depth on foreign policy transitions with China, Asia, Israel, Iraq, the Arab World and America’s “Endless Wars” with moderation by William Jordan.

The Biden administration has taken office with the intention of reversing or marking sharp changes from the foreign policy of its predecessor. Yet, how likely or even possible will that be?

In many respects, the world changed over the last four years just as the Trump administration imposed its different approach to American foreign policy. Some situations changed so radically that returning to previous policies may not work any more. In others, the different approach brought in by the Trump administration may be better suited to the challenge, even if the brusque manner in which it was introduced may have struck many as offensive or a gratuitous break with previous administrations.

The U.S. has also changed, and the domestic political landscape on which the Biden administration must operate imposes likely constraints on current and future policy. Abroad, friends and rivals must ask how durable the more traditional style of operation the Biden administration follows will be and what are the implications during and beyond this administration given the deep political divide in the U.S. As the shadow of Donald Trump looms large over America for the foreseeable future, even America’s allies must ask whether they can trust Washington as they once did.

Two separate panels will discuss what they expect to change and what they expect to stay the same, perhaps for rather surprising reasons.

The panelists will all bring insights, in some cases as former U.S. government insiders, to explore these questions.

In this first of two panels, speakers will discuss China, Asia, and the Pacific region; America’s “endless wars” and military/security alliances in remote war zones; Israel, Iran, and the Arab world; and Europe, including in the context of the ongoing challenge posed by Russia.

Speakers for this event

• Charles Dunne
• Christopher Hill
• Douglas Herbert
• Michele Dunne
• William Jordan

Event video

Many observers blame the Trump administration for retreating from multilateral institutions and negotiations as well as undermining much of the structure the U.S. played a major role in creating after World War II and which underpinned the global order for decades. Yet, there is a counterargument that the decline of multilateralism has been in train since the end of the Cold War and that the Trump administration at most accelerated the process.

The multitude of global challenges the world faces — most notably the current COVID-19 pandemic and other potential worldwide health crises, global warming and the transition to renewable energy resources, and the threat of nuclear proliferation — seem to underscore the ongoing need for multilateral structures and approaches to deal with them. In an age when countries are increasingly going it alone or preferring to deal bilaterally, however, there is a question whether the world can actually make the effort and find the political will necessary to act multilaterally.

This panel will deal with two aspects: Political and economic. The political encompasses cooperation in maintaining peace and security, conflict prevention and management, collaboration and cooperation on a global or regional scale on any number of issues, and ensuring respect for a common set of norms governing international relations. The United Nations, as an organization in its entirety and via its myriad specialized agencies and bodies, epitomizes the institutional framework of multilateralism. But it is not alone, as evidenced by the multitude of ad hoc and institutionalized organizations, like the G7/G8/G20, NATO, the European Union, the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Organization of American States, the Arab League, etc. The central question is whether these groupings remain relevant, can be reformed or adapted, or should give way to a new dynamic that emphasizes the nation state as the core of all interactions. In short, is the world returning to sort of multipolar order that existed prior to World War II? If so, what are the implications in terms of the common challenges the world faces?

The economic aspect comprises the financial, commercial, and other “economic” interactions that we often colloquially describe as “globalization.” The U.S. helped create a system of organizations to regulate that order and promote freer trade, facilitate financial flows, and respond to immediate and long-term needs like economic development. But, as on the political side, are the organizations established up to the task? Do the occasional gatherings of world leaders under the banner of the G7, G8, or G20 make a difference? Is the World Trade Organization relevant in a time of unilateral initiation of trade wars? Are the international financial institutions and the UN making any progress promoting development and addressing inequality? How will the world adjust to the weaknesses in the global supply chain exposed by the current pandemic? Are we slipping inevitably toward greater protectionism and restriction on financial transactions across borders?

Speakers for this event

• Earl Anthony Wayne
• Ishaan Tharoor
• William Jordan

Event video

Speakers for this event

• Adrian O'Connor
• Amanda Makki
• Donald Morrison (Moderator)
• Joseph Wright
• Marie-Roger Biloa

Event video

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is interviewed by Thomas W. Smith about her new book. Covering a century of tyranny, this book examines how authoritarians use propaganda, virility, corruption, and violence to stay in power, and how they can be opposed.

Speakers for this event

• Ruth Ben-Ghiat
• Thomas W. Smith PhD

Event video

The Biden administration has taken office with the intention of reversing or marking sharp changes from the foreign policy of its predecessor. Yet, how likely or even possible will that be?

In many respects, the world changed over the last four years just as the Trump administration imposed its different approach to American foreign policy. Some situations changed so radically that returning to previous policies may not work any more. In others, the different approach brought in by the Trump administration may be better suited to the challenge, even if the brusque manner in which it was introduced may have struck many as offensive or a gratuitous break with previous administrations.

The U.S. has also changed, and the domestic political landscape on which the Biden administration must operate imposes likely constraints on current and future policy. Abroad, friends and rivals must ask how durable the more traditional style of operation the Biden administration follows will be and what are the implications during and beyond this administration given the deep political divide in the U.S. As the shadow of Donald Trump looms large over America for the foreseeable future, even America’s allies must ask whether they can trust Washington as they once did.

Two separate panels will discuss what they expect to change and what they expect to stay the same, perhaps for rather surprising reasons.

The panelists will all bring insights, in some cases as former U.S. government insiders, to explore these questions.

This second of two panels is focused on the Western Hemisphere, i.e., the region stretching from Hudson Bay in the north to the southernmost tip of Tierra del Fuego. Speakers will discuss Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico and Central America, and Canada as well as much more.

Speakers for this event

• Bisa Williams
• Luis G. Moreno
• Lynne Platt
• Patrick Duddy
• Tim Johnson
• William Jordan

Event video

Eduardo Cue will do a live interview with Michael Kimmage on his new book, The Abandonment of the West: The History of an Idea in American Foreign Policy.

The book is available for purchase through the link below:
The Abandonment of the West

Speakers for this event

• Eduardo Cue (Moderator)
• Michael C. Kimmage

Event video

Live Panel Discussion Moderated by Uzodinma Iweala with James Mwangi – Kenya, Pape Samb – Senegal, Landry Signe – Cameroon, and Ndidi Nwuneli – Nigeria

Speakers for this event

• James Irungu Mwangi
• Landry Signé
• Ndidi Nwuneli
• Pape Samb
• Uzodinma Iweala

Event video

U.S. leadership in world affairs has been a given for most of the period since World War II. Even after the end of the Cold War, the U.S. was assumed to be the predominant if not the only superpower. A combination of overreach and ambivalence, however, began to call this position into question, not least among the American public. The Trump presidency amplified and acted on these doubts to redefine how and when the U.S. would act consistent with the slogan “America First.”

The Biden administration has affirmed its willingness to reengage with the world in the hope of reestablishing America’s preeminence internationally. But how likely is this to happen, given sharp domestic political divisions, the damage done to longstanding alliances over the course of the Trump administration, and persistent questions about whether the US. is in decline? Can the world assume that the Biden administration will restore a measure of bipartisanship to American foreign policy that recommits the U.S. to global re-engagement? Can Washington accomplish this in a way that strikes a better balance between engagement and over-commitment?

This panel will also:

–Ask whether the U.S. still has the moral authority to claim leadership of the so-called “free world?” Is this a concept that has outlived its usefulness? Even if the U.S. has always had to ward off criticisms of its close ties with countries that have abysmal human rights records, is it in a worse place because the perception of America’s commitment to democracy, rule of law, and constitutional order is shaky at best?

–Discuss the state of America’s diplomatic apparatus and intelligence community. The tension between career and political appointees has always been present, but did the Trump administration’s invocation of a “deep state” in opposition to the White House demoralize and undermine these institutions? If so, what needs to be done to rebuild them and, more important, protect them in the future from becoming overly politicized? Should the State Department and the intelligence community be placed more on a par with the armed services?

Speakers for this event

• Aaron David Miller
• Michael C. Kimmage
• Paul R. Pillar

Event video