November 13, 2018

WACA 2018 National Conference Highlights

Braving the New World Order

November 7–9, 2018

The Mayflower Hotel – Washington, DC

Thanks to everyone who made this year's WACA National Conference

a wonderful success!

The Foreign Policy Association, founder of the World Affairs Councils of America, is the WACA 2018 Council of the Year. Make that of the Century - we celebrated FPA's 100th Anniversary and its longest-serving president, Noel Lateef, at the Organization of American States.

Carol E. Byrne, President of Global Minnesota, receives the WACA Chairman's 2018 Individual Award at the Conference's Opening Dinner. Carol will step down at the end of the year, folllwoing an exceptional 21-year career at the helm of one of our network's strongest member Councils.

Opening Dinner keynote speakers Jim Lindsay and Ivo Daalder, moderated by Michèle Flournoy, analyze the costs of America's abdication of global leadership.

International economist Dambisa Moyo gave a riveting closing keynote on the six 'grand challenges' facing the world, and possible solutions.

WAC Dallas/Fort Worth CEO Jim Falk engages former White House Secretary Sean Spicer at WACA's Ambassadors Luncheon, two days after the U.S. midterm elections.

WACA Conference Scholar Micaela Healy challenges author Peter Singer about the future of social media.

Hanin Najjar of WorldOregon sums up the experiences of the 2018 Student Scholars.

South Korea's Amb. Cho Yoon-je accepts WAC-DC's Distinguished Diplomatic Service Award at WACA's 1918 Society Dinner.

Dellashon diCresce of Detroit and Amanda Jolly of Hartford

IRC Scholar Engoma Fataki

World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts: Two Tables!

Andreas Michaelis, State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office, in conversation Dr. Evelyn Farkas of the Atlantic Council, Robert Kagan of Brookings, and Dr. Steven Sokol of the American Council on Germany. The panel discussion marks the launch of WACA's Deutschlandjahr USA Project: What Today's Germany Means for the United States.

Our photo gallery and a Conference survey will be sent out to attendees tomorrow. We'll also send a link to a Dropbox folder where you can add your own Conference photos!

WACA Thanks Its Conference Sponsors

October 31, 2018

Weekly World News Update

Intolerance Rages; Merkel Won't Run; NATO Military Drills; Brazil Swings to the Right; Constitutional Changes in Sri Lanka

Quote of the Week

“These murderers are effectively terrorists, and these terrorists are Americans. They are our neighbors. They are not some easily vilified foreign entity or individual. The killers are within us. They are of us. We can no longer avoid forcefully organizing ourselves to address this.”

-- Hady Amr, Visiting Fellow of Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, in an op-ed on Tuesday.

Rising Intolerance

“The Tree of Life Shooting and the Return of Anti-Semitism to American Life” Alexandra Schwartz -- New Yorker, October 27, 2018

“When to Call a Terrorist a Terrorist” Daniel Byman -- Brookings Institution, October 29, 2018

“We Were Made for Civil War” Michael Vlahos -- American Conservative, October 29, 2018

“Political Differences Are Not a Crime in America” Chris Davis -- National Interest, October 28, 2018

“What Is Happening to Our Country?” Max Boot -- Washington Post, October 27, 2018

Angela Merkel Stepping Down

“What Angela Merkel’s Decision Not to Run Again as Party Leader Means” Andrea Thomas -- The Wall Street Journal, October 29, 2018

“As Angela Merkel’s Star Dims, Europe Is Facing Perhaps Its Biggest Challenge Since 1930s” Simon Tisdall -- The Guardian, October 28, 2018

“The Long Painful End of Angela Merkel” Josef Joffe -- Politico, October 29, 2018

“Brexit Bombshell: What Merkel’s Decision to Quit Means for UK’s EU Negotiation” Joe Barnes -- Express, October, 29, 2018

Let the NATO Games Begin

“NATO Begins ‘Biggest Military Drills Since End of Cold War’” Alasdair Sandford -- Euro News, October 25, 2018

“NATO Is in the Middle of an Expensive and Dangerous Military Exercise. Here’s Why Those War Games Are Worth It” James Stavridis -- Time, October 29, 2018

“NATO Is Worried About the Wrong Russian Threat in Eastern Europe” Michael Cecire -- Business Insider, October 29, 2018

Brazil Veers Right

“Brazil Swings Right With Election of Jair Bolsonaro as President” Ashish Kumar Sen -- Atlantic Council, October 28, 2018

“A Victory Against Socialism in Brazil” Brian Darling -- Washington Times, October 25, 2018

“Can Brazil’s Democracy Withstand Jair Bolsonaro?” Vincent Bevins -- The Atlantic, October 29, 2018

“All Over But the Shouting: Engaging Brazil After the Elections” Eric Farnsworth -- The National Interest, October 29, 2018

Power Shift in Sri Lanka

“Sri Lanka Constitutional Crisis Turns Violent” Iqbal Athas and Steve George -- CNN, October 29, 2018

“Sudden Regime Change in Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapakse Is Back, Now as PM” Nirupama Subramanian and Arun Janardhanan -- Indian Express, October 27, 2018

“Constitutional Crisis Could Destabilize Sri Lanka, Pushing It Closer to China” Nyshka Chandran and Sri Jegarajah -- CNBC, October 30, 2018

October 29, 2018

WACA Weekly

Leadership Day: Germany Grant Series; New Conference Speakers; FPA at 100; Sen. Corker at TNWAC; Op-ed by Columbus' Terrien; Cover to Cover Podcasts; AWQ Registration and Study Guide; Council Jobs & News

WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

November 7-9

The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC

As always, WACA kicks off the annual National Conference with Fall Leadership Day - a chance to network with Council peers, share best practices, and develop partnerships.

WACA is delighted to announce that we have been selected to participate in Deutschlandjahr USA 2018/19 for a grant-funded series for Councils titled "Engage America: What Today's Germany Means for the United States." Christoph Mücher, Head of Project, will present the opportunities at the Leadership Day luncheon. Don't miss it!

Tennessee WAC Hosts Senator Bob Corker

The Tennessee World Affairs Council, in association with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, International Business Council, and Baker Donelson presents a luncheon on October 31 with Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Terrien Op-ed Spotlights Plight of Mauritanian Immigrants and Refugees in Columbus

The Columbus Dispatch published an op-ed by Patrick Terrien, President and CEO of the Columbus Council on World Affairs, calling on the city to rally around its Mauritanian community to prevent wrongful detention and deportation. Read his column here.

World Affairs Council of New Hampshire will present a panel of experts on "Global Tipping Points: The Future of Korea: K-Pop” on November 1. This program is part of WACA's Future of Korea 2018 series, co-sponsored by the Korea Economic Institute. See more Council Highlights below.

Academic WorldQuest Study Guide and Details

1.  Country in Focus: Qatar

2.  How to Deal with North Korea

3.  Global Refugee and Migration Crisis

4.  #WeAreNATO – The Alliance at 70

5.  Great Decisions

6.  Japan-U.S. Relations

7.  Space Policy

8.  World Trade Organization (WTO)

9.  Bridging Divides to Build Peace

10.   Current Events

WACA Podcasts

Cover to Cover in October featured a conversation with Sarah Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, on her new book, The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America. Listen here.

Listen to our September KNOW NOW call featuring a conversation between Valerie Plame, former career CIA covert operations officer, and Sandy Campbell, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Council on International Relations, speaking about the State of U.S. Intelligence Agencies. Listen here.

October 24, 2018

Weekly World News Update

Migrant Travel to the U.S.; U.S. to Withdraw from INF?; The Aftermath of Khashoggi; Afghanistan Votes; Italy Debates EU

Quote of the Week

“Today’s migrant “crisis” provides the opportunity for Mexicans and Americans to hammer out a modus vivendi for a longer-term approach that can address both countries’ goals, as they were able to do on trade with the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. As with trade, both sides will need to make commitments that recognize the other’s priorities.”

-- Earl Anthony Wayne, public policy fellow at the Wilson Center and former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, in an op-ed on Tuesday.

Migrant Caravan Moving North

“Migrant Caravan: What Happens If It Reaches the U.S. Border?” Jason Silverstein -- CBS, October 23, 2018

“Trump’s Cuts to Central America Aid Will Lead to More Caravans” Shannon O’Neil -- Bloomberg, October 23, 2018

“Meet the Man Behind the Migrant Caravan Headed to U.S.” Marisa Schultz -- New York Post, October 23, 2018

“Trump Blames Mexico, Democrats for Migrant Caravan” Mairead McArdle -- National Review, October 22, 2018

“For Democrats, Silence Is Consent on the Immigrant Caravan” John Kass -- Chicago Tribune, October 24, 2018 

U.S. Treaty Withdrawal - Again

“Trump May Soon Kill a U.S.–Russia Arms Control Deal. It Might Be a Good Idea” Alex Ward -- Vox, October 22, 2018

“EU Warns Trump of Nuclear Arms Race Risk After INF Withdrawal Move” Julian Borger; Andrew Roth -- The Guardian, October 23, 2018

“Trump Withdrawal from Russia Nuclear Pact Plays Into Putin’s Hands” David Andelman -- Reuters, October 22, 2018

“Trump May Revive the Cold War, But China Could Change the Dynamics” David Sanger; Steven Erlanger -- New York Times, October 22, 2018

Khashoggi Death Triggers Backlash

"Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder Hurt American Interests, Not Just American Values" Richard Fontaine -- The Atlantic, October 242, 2018

“What Does the Saudi Response to the Khashoggi Scandal Mean?” Yasmine Farouk -- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, October 19, 2018

“How Turkey Gains from the Grisly Drama Over the Killing of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi” Frederick Kempe -- CNBC, October 19, 2018

“World Leaders Should Reject Saudi Whitewash” -- Human Rights Watch, October 22, 2018

Parliamentary Elections in Afghanistan

“Ballots and Bullets in Afghanistan” Vanda Brown -- Brookings, October 23, 2018 

“4 Million Vote in Afghanistan Despite Violence and Technical Glitches” Ehsan Popalzai; Ali Latifi; Laura Smith -- CNN, October 21, 2018

“Afghanistan’s Long-Overdue Parliamentary Elections Reach a Chaotic End” Rahim Faiez; Amir Shah; Kathy Gannon -- Time, October 20, 2018

Italy’s Budget vs. EU

“Italy Says No Plan B as EU Demands Unprecedented Budget Revision” John Follain; Alessandra Migliaccio; Jonathan Stearns -- Bloomberg, October 23, 2018

“EU Executive Rejects Italy’s 2019 Draft Budget” Jan Strupczewski -- Reuters, October 23, 2018

“The EU Just Formally Rejected Italy’s Budget, Putting Rome and Brussels on a Collision Course” Will Martin -- Business Insider, October 23, 2018

October 22, 2018

WACA Weekly

New Conference Speakers; Cover to Cover TOMORROW; AWQ Details and Official Study Guide; Free Book Offer; APSIA Graduate School Fair; Council Jobs & News

WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

November 7-9

The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC

New Speakers!

Dr. Carol O’Donnell

Director, Smithsonian Science Education Center

Smithsonian Institution

Laura Delgado López

Advocacy Lead, Harris Corporation’s Space & Intelligence Systems

Editor-in-Chief, Space Policy Journal

Célia Belin

Visiting Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe

Brookings Institution, (Think Tank Off-site)

1918 Society Dinner on Friday, Nov. 9 (6:00 - 8:30 pm)

His Excellency Cho Yoon-je

Ambassador

Republic of Korea to the United States of America

Ambassador Joseph Yun

Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy

The Mayflower Hotel deadline has been extended until tomorrow, October 23. Book here.

Bookmark the WACA 2018 National Conference website for speaker and program updates!

Volunteers Needed

WACA will need volunteers throughout the Conference from morning until early evening each day. If you are interested, please use this link to sign up.

Tomorrow: October Cover to Cover with Sarah Igo

Join WACA's Cover to Cover conference call TOMORROW, October 23, at 2:00-2:30 pm ET, featuring Sarah E. Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, on her new book, The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America.

Every day, Americans make decisions about their privacy: what to share and when, how much to expose, and to whom. Securing the boundary between one’s private affairs and public identity has become a central task of citizenship. How did privacy come to loom so large in American life? Sarah Igo tracks this elusive social value across the twentieth century, as individuals questioned how they would, and should, be known by their own society.

Announcing Academic WorldQuest Study Guide and Details

1.  Country in Focus: Qatar

2.  How to Deal with North Korea

3.  Global Refugee and Migration Crisis

4.  #WeAreNATO – The Alliance at 70

5.  Great Decisions

6.  Japan-U.S. Relations

7.  Space Policy

8.  World Trade Organization (WTO)

9.  Bridging Divides to Build Peace

10.   Current Events

The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest 

National Competition will be held in Washington, DC on

April 26-27, 2019

OFFICIAL STUDY GUIDE

Pledge a Team Now

To confirm your Council's participation in the 2018-2019 Academic WorldQuest, please fill out and submit this Pledge Form by November 9, 2018. 

Local Competition Questions

WACA will provide a full set of questions based on the AWQ Study Guide and will be available to local Councils. Indicate your interest in these questions by submitting your Pledge Form.

Hotel Block

WACA has arranged a group hotel block at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park (2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC 20008). See the reservation link here.

To find out further details and information, click here.

International Affairs and Public Policy Graduate School Fair

Representatives from leading professional schools of international affairs and policy will be available to connect with prospective students at the Association of Professional Schools in International Affairs Graduate School Fair, held online on November 15, 11:00 - 1:15 pm ET. Students can also learn about masters and PhD programs around the world.

Students can register here. Please share through your networks.

The Case for Optimism: The Optimists' Voices

Victor Perton writes about optimism, optimistic leadership, and Australian leadership in the second edition of his book, The Case for Optimism: The Optimists' Voices, which he is currently offering for free on Kindle for the next few days. Additionally, Perton is running a student workshop on The Optimistic Leader at the Integrity20 Summit this week.

Share a free copy with any of your friends and colleagues who need some optimism!

October 17, 2018

Weekly World News Update

Where's Khashoggi?; What Now With the U.S. and Turkey; Koreas Peace Talks; Chinese Espionage Punished; Latin America Turmoil

Quote of the Week

"How is it possible for a consulate, an embassy not to have security camera systems? Is it possible for the Saudi Arabian consulate where the incident occurred not to have camera systems?" Erdogan asked. "If a bird flew, if a mosquito appeared, these systems would catch them and (I believe) they (the Saudis) would have the most advanced of systems." 

-- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, speaking with journalists on a plane ride home last Thursday.

Breakthroughs in Jamal Khashoggi Case

“Donald Trump Says Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Could Have Been Murdered By ‘Rogue Killers’" Andrew Buncombe -- Independent, October 15, 2018

“The Other Side of the Khashoggi Tragedy” Anthony Cordesman -- CSIS, October 15, 2018

“Jamal Khashoggi’s Disappearance: What We Know and Don’t Know” David Kirkpatrick -- New York Times, October 15, 2018

“Saudi Missing Journalist Jamal Khashoggi: Explanation Expected From Saudi Arabia as Mike Pompeo Arrives” Tucker Reals -- CBS News, October 16, 2018

“Turkish Official: Police Found Evidence of Khashoggi Slaying” Fay Abuelgasim; Suzen Fraser; Jon Gambrell -- Associated Press, October 16, 2018 

U.S.-Turkey Relations

“Turkey-U.S. Relations Remain Uncertain Despite Brunson’s Release” Yasar Yakis -- Arab News, October 15, 2018

“After North Carolina Pastor’s Release, What’s Next for U.S.-Turkish Relations” Kevin Frey -- Spectrum News Charlotte, October 15, 2018

“Brunson Was Just a Small Thorn in Turkey-U.S. Relations” İlnur Çevik -- Daily Sabah, October 15, 2018

Incentivized Peace Talks 

“Moon Aims to Win EU Backing for Peace Process” Yoo-Chul Kim -- The Korea Times, October 12, 2018

“South Korea Considers Lifting Some Sanctions on North Korea” Kim Tong-Hyung -- Associated Press, October 10, 2018

“South Korean Leader Says Kim Willing to Give Up Nuclear Arsenal” Jihye Lee -- Bloomberg, October 12, 2018

“Top Australian and Japanese Officials Say North Korea Sanctions Enforcement ‘Critical’ Despite Easing Tensions” The Japan Times, October 10, 2018 

"Koreas, U.S.-led UN Command Discuss Disarming Border Area" Kim Tong-Hyong -- Associated Press, October 16, 2018

Chinese National Arrested for Espionage

“A Sting Operation Lifts the Lid on Chinese Espionage” Scott Stewart -- Stratfor, October, 16, 2018

“Washington Must Send a Message: China Won’t Be Allowed to Steal Without Consequence” John Carlin -- Washington Post, October 16, 2018

“Chinese Intelligence Officer Arrested in Attempt to Steal GE Aviation Trade Secrets” Craig Cheatham; Evan Millward -- WCPO Cincinnati, October 12, 2018

Turmoil in Latin America

“Two Americans Caught Up in Nicaragua’s Violent Crackdown on Opposition” Conor Finnegan -- ABC News, October 15, 2018

“Brazil Far-Right Presidential Candidate Jair Bolsonaro Is ‘Fomenting Violence,’ Rival Says” Agence France-Presse -- South China Morning Post, October 14, 2018

“Fleeing Hardship at Home, Venezuelan Migrants Struggle Abroad, Too” Alexandra Ulmer -- Reuters, October 15, 2018

October 15, 2018

WACA Weekly

Conference Hotel Block Expires TOMORROW and 1918 Society Dinner; Engage America Programs; Cover to Cover on Privacy; AWQ Details and Official Study Guide; SQCC's SALAM; Council News

WACA 2018 National Conference: Braving the New World Order

November 7-9

The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC

Announcing: 1918 Society Dinner on Friday, Nov. 9 (6:00 - 8:30 pm)

His Excellency Cho Yoon-je

Ambassador

Republic of Korea to the United States of America

Ambassador Joseph Yun

Former U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy

Reception to Celebrate FPA Centennial at OAS

WACA is proud to co-host a special reception in honor of our partner and founding member, the Foreign Policy Association. FPA, led by Noel Lateef, is marking its 100th anniversary. We are delighted to co-host this reception for all WACA National Conference attendees on Thursday, November 8, at the Organization of American States.

New Think Tank Speakers!

William Alan Reinsch

Senior Adviser and Scholl Chair in International Business

CSIS

Scott Miller

Senior Adviser, Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy

CSIS

Heather Fischer

Program Manager, Combatting Human Trafficking

McCain Institute

Cyril Bumbálek

National Security Fellow, McCain Institute

Career Diplomat, Czech Republic Foreign Ministry

Berivan Orucoglu

Program Coordinator, Supporting Human Rights Defenders

McCain Institute

James Kirchick

Visiting Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe

Brookings Institution

Councils Present Engage America 2018 Programs

The following Engage America Oman 2018 and Future of Korea 2018 programs are co-sponsored by WACA and its grant funders Korea Economic Institute and Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center:

Oman 2018

World Affairs Council of New Hampshire will present Dr. Anne Rasmussen for The Music and Culture of Oman: Musical Biodiversity and the Indian Ocean Soundscape on October 16.

World Affairs Council of Western Michigan will host Dr. Fahad Bishara as part of its Fall Lecture Series: Shifting Sands in the Arabian Peninsula on October 18.

Future of Korea 2018

Indiana Council on World Affairs will present a panel of experts for its Distinguished Speaker Series: Future of Korea on October 18.

October Cover to Cover: Debating Privacy in America

Join WACA's Cover to Cover conference call on Tuesday, October 23, at 2:00-2:30 pm ET, featuring Sarah E. Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, on her new book, The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America.

Every day, Americans make decisions about their privacy: what to share and when, how much to expose, and to whom. Securing the boundary between one’s private affairs and public identity has become a central task of citizenship. How did privacy come to loom so large in American life? Sarah Igo tracks this elusive social value across the twentieth century, as individuals questioned how they would, and should, be known by their own society.