May 21, 2018

WACA Weekly

This Week: WACA's Recap on San Antonio Meeting; Future of Korea at WAC Harrisburg; McFaul on Russia Podcast; plus Council Highlights

Spring Leadership and Board Meetings - Thank You WAC San Antonio!

WAC San Antonio's Leslie Palmer (C) with WACA Board members and guests

Karen Burghart (L), Matthew Hughes, and Kimberley Coles

Stratfor VP Reva Goujon delivers Friday dinner keynote

Thank you to all who attended the Council Leadership and WACA Board meetings last week in Texas, and especially to Leslie Palmer and her World Affairs Council of San Antonio team for hosting such a successful program!

In addition to workshops on How to Build an Endowment and on Developing Strong Corporate Relations, WACA President Bill Clifford presented the findings of our Council Benchmarking Survey. So far, we have a 53% participation rate from the Council network. According to Council colleagues, this survey provides invaluable information for local Councils. WACA would like to make our data even more robust by having 100% participation and so have kept the survey open. You can find the link here. Please fill it out if your Council has not yet done so. We are grateful!

Additionally, WACA and Council leaders held a productive discussion on the benefits of WACA membership. We will continue the conversation at the WACA National Conference, November 7-9, and aim to have the new dues structure in place by 2019. We value your input and encourage you to join us at the Conference for the Fall Leadership Meeting, signature policy forums, and special events.

WAC Harrisburg Hosts Future of Korea

The first of eight Future of Korea 2018 events in the annual WACA-KEI program series will be held on Thursday, May 24.

World Affairs Council of Harrisburg will present this program in conjunction with its 2018 Torch of Global Enlightenment Awards, honoring distinguished individuals and globally responsible organizations.

Listen to Michael McFaul on podcast!

From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia is a riveting inside account of four decades of U.S.-Russia relations, from the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of the Russian President and his hostile challenge to the West.

Listen to the May Cover to Cover podcast of our conference call with Ambassador Michael McFaul on his new book.

World Affairs Council of Seattle and World Affairs Council of Orange County will feature McFaul in public forums this week. (see Council Highlights below.)

Join us for WACA's June 12 Cover to Cover with Ambassador Rick Barton on his new book, Peace Works.

WorldBoston Is Hiring!

WorldBoston is hiring a Manager of Operations and Global Education Programs!

Council Highlights

Monday, May 21

Cleveland Council on World Affairs hosts François-Philippe Champagne, International Trade Minister of Canada, for “NAFTA: North American Competitiveness is Job #1.” Details

World Affairs Council of Greater Houston hosts Jesús Silva-Herzog Márquez, Professor of Law at Instituto Tecnológico Autonomo de Mexico, for “Mexico's Presidential Election and U.S.-Mexico Relations.” Details

World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts a panel of experts for “The Future of U.S.-China Relations: A Debate.” Details

Tuesday, May 22

World Affairs Council of Austin hosts David Firestein, Founding Director of the China Public Policy Center, for “China, Innovation, and Us.” Details

World Affairs Council Upstate hosts Paul Berg, former Foreign Service Officer, for “American Foreign Policy: Truth and Fiction from a Firsthand Perspective.” Details

Santa Fe Council on International Relations holds a screening of Red Light Revolution. Details

World Affairs Council of Atlanta hosts Elizabeth Kiss, President of Agnes Scott College, for “Reimagining ATL as a Global Leader.” Details

Wednesday, May 23

San Diego World Affairs Council hosts WACA 2017 Conference speaker Steven Pifer, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, for “Ukraine: Russian Interference and How the U.S. Can Bolster Ukrainian Security.” Details

World Affairs (Northern California) hosts Shlomi Kofman, Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest, for “Diplomat Luncheon.” Details

Global Minnesota hosts Tom Hanson, Diplomat in Residence at University of Minnesota Duluth, and Joan Brzezinski, Executive Director of the China Center and Confucius Institute, for “Bridging the Gap in U.S.-China Negotiation and Communication Styles.” Details

World Affairs Council of St. Louis hosts Rob Rudloff, Cybersecurity Team Leader at RubinBrown, and Matt Flinner, Education and Outreach Coordinator at Better Business Bureau, for “Cyber Security and You.” Details 

World Affairs Council of Seattle hosts Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, for "From Cold War to Hot Peace: Looking Back and Forward in the U.S. Russia Relationship." Details 

Thursday, May 24

World Affairs Council of Orange County hosts Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, to discuss his book, From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia. Details

World Affairs Council of Orange County hosts WACA 2017 Conference speaker Steven Pifer, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, and James Coyle, Director of the Center for Global Education at Chapman University, for “Russia’s Border Wars and Frozen Conflicts.” Details

International Relations Council (Kansas City) hosts a panel of experts for “The Opportunities and Challenges of Chinese Investment in the U.S.” Details

World Affairs Council of Sonoma County hosts Norman Bowen, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at California State University East Bay, for “Macron’s Vision for France and Europe.” Details

World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana hosts WACA Cover to Cover author Dr. Jonathan D. Quick, Chair of the Global Health Council, to discuss his book, The End of Epidemics: The Looming Threat to Humanity and How to Stop It. Details

World Affairs Council of Charlotte hosts Brigadier General Stephen Cheney, USMC (Ret.), CEO of the American Security Project, for “First to Respond: The Military in the Age of Climate Change.” Details

World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts Brett Baier, Chief Political Anchor at Fox News Channel, to discuss his book, Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire. Details

May 16, 2018

Weekly World News Update

North Korea Talks; Israel-Palestine Conflict; Iraq's New PM; Rohingya Crisis; Burundi Votes

Quote of the Week

"If the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment we will no longer be interested in such dialogue and cannot but reconsider our proceeding to the DPRK-U.S. summit."

-- Kim Kye Gwan, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister, in a Tuesday statement about the upcoming June talks with the U.S.

North Korea Gets Cold Feet

"White House Brushes Aside North Korea's Threats to Cancel Summit with Trump" Mark Landler; Choe Sang-Hun; Jane Perlez -- The New York Times, May 16, 2018

"Deciphering Kim Jong Un's Motives" Michael Green -- Foreign Affairs, May 16, 2018

"A Step-By-Step Plan for Denuclearizing North Korea" Michael O'Hanlon -- The National Interest

Israel-Palestine Conflict Hits Inflection Point

"Celebration in Jerusalem, Bloodshed in Gaza" Emma Green -- The Atlantic, May 14, 2018

"Israel Has the Right and Obligation to Defend Its Border with Deadly Force" David French -- National Review, May 15, 2018

"The Spirit of Palestinian Resistance Will Not Be Broken" Omar Baddar -- Al Jazeera, May 15, 2018

"The Damage Done in Jerusalem" Steven A. Cook -- Council on Foreign Relations, May 15, 2018

"Jerusalem Protests: Violence in the Vacuum" Hugh Lovatt -- European Council on Foreign Relations, May 15, 2018

Iraq's New Prime Minister

"Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Discusses Election Results" Mary Louise Kelly and Zalmay Khalilzad -- NPR, May 15, 2018 [Podcast]

"The Time to Stop Bankrolling the Iraqi Military Is Now" Jason C. Ditz -- The American Conservative, May 15, 2018

"Iraq's Election: A Key Event in America's Wars" Anthony H. Cordesman and Munqith Dagher -- Center for Strategic and International Studies, May 14, 2018

Checking In on Rohingya Crisis

"As Obama Eased Myanmar Sanctions, Some Saw Warnings of a Massacre" Priyanka Boghani -- PBS Frontline, May 10, 2018

"Aung San Suu Kyi Is a Politician, Not a Monster" Peter A Coclanis -- Foreign Policy, May 14, 2018

"Process as Well as Substance Is Important in ICC's Rohingya Decision" Alex Whiting -- Just Security, May 15, 2018

Burundi Votes on New Constitution

"Burundi Votes Tomorrow on Controversial Constitutional Amendments. A Lot Is at Stake" Yolande Bouka and Sarah Jackson -- The Washington Post, May 16, 2018

"Burundi Referendum to Extend Presidential Term Raises Fears of Violence" Cristina Krippahl -- Deutsche Welle, May 16, 2018

May 15, 2018

TODAY: Cover to Cover

From Cold War to Hot Peace

In 2008, when Michael McFaul was asked to leave his perch at Stanford and join an unlikely presidential campaign, he had no idea that he would find himself at the beating heart of one of today’s most contentious and consequential international relationships. As President Obama’s adviser on Russian affairs, McFaul helped craft the U.S. policy known as “reset” that fostered unprecedented collaboration between the two countries. Then, as U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012-2014), he had a front-row seat when this fleeting, hopeful moment crumbled with Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency.

From Cold War to Hot Peace is a riveting inside account that combines history and memoir to tell the full story of U.S.-Russia relations from the fall of the Soviet Union to the new rise of the hostile, paranoid Russian president.

Join the May Cover to Cover conference call to discuss McFaul's new book, From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia, today, May 15, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET.

June 12

Rick Barton will discuss Peace Works: America's Unifying Role in a Turbulent World.

July 10

Dambisa Moyo will discuss Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth - and How to Fix It.

May 14, 2018

WACA Weekly

This Week: Join Cover to Cover with Michael McFaul; Spring Leadership and Board Meetings; Final Call to Vote for National Board Slate; International Relations Council Hosts Ambassador of the Czech Republic; Work at WorldBoston; Council Highlights

TOMORROW: Michael McFaul on Cover to Cover

When Michael McFaul was asked to leave his perch at Stanford and join an unlikely presidential campaign in 2008, he had no idea that he would find himself at the beating heart of one of today’s most contentious and consequential international relationships. As President Obama’s adviser on Russian affairs, McFaul helped craft the U.S. policy known as “reset” that fostered unprecedented collaboration between the two countries. Then, as U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012-2014), he had a front-row seat when this fleeting, hopeful moment crumbled with Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency.

From Cold War to Hot Peace is a riveting inside account that combines history and memoir to tell the full story of U.S.-Russia relations from the fall of the Soviet Union to the new rise of the hostile, paranoid Russian president.

Join the May Cover to Cover conference call to discuss McFaul's new book, From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia, on Tuesday, May 15 from 2:00-2:30 PM ET.

Stratfor's Reva Goujon to Speak at Leadership Meeting Dinner: Where U.S. Trade Policy and Grand Strategy Intersect

Reva Goujon, Vice President of Global Analysis at Stratfor, will keynote a special dinner at San Antonio's Club Giraud on Friday, May 18 from 6:00-9:00 pm, following the leadership workshop sessions.

The meetings will open with an installment of WAC San Antonio's Distinguished Speaker Series, "San Antonio’s First 300 Years: From Spanish Colony to Modern City," on Thursday, May 17 at 5:30 pm.

The WACA Board meets Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Reva Goujon

VP of Global Analysis

Stratfor

Council Leaders: Please Vote by May 18

New WACA National Board terms will commence July 1 (a term is three years).

According to the bylaws, one authorized representative of each member organization may vote YEA or NAY on the nominees for the WACA National Board. See bios.

Please respond by email vote to Chelsea Beaulieu at cbeaulieu@worldaffairscouncils.org no later than close of business on Friday, May 18.

With the start of our new fiscal year on July 1, 2018, WACA National Board Committees will be recomposed. The Nominating Committee will announce an official call for nominations to the board in early September. Please begin now to consider the strongest Supporting (corporate and institutional) and Council candidates for the WACA National Board, with terms to start in July 2019. 

CANDIDATES ELECTION (JULY 2018-JUNE 2021 TERM):

BOARD CANDIDATES (Supporting Member Nominees):

Carlos Alvarez, CEO, The Gambrinus Company (TX)

Alex Lari, CEO, The Claremont Group (NY) 

BOARD CANDIDATES (Council Rep Nominees):

Joan Lemoine, immediate past Executive Director, WAC Hilton Head

Derrick Olsen, President, WorldOregon

Incumbent Supporting Member Nominee (second 3-year term):

Forough Hosseini, Senior Vice President, Information Systems, ICI Homes, Inc. (FL) 

Incumbent Council Rep Nominees (second 3-year term):

Craig Snyder, President and CEO, WAC Philadelphia 

Xiao Yin Zhao, Executive Director, WAC Kentucky and Southern Indiana

International Relations Council (Kansas City) to Host H.E. Kmoníček

International Relations Council hosts H.E. Hynek Kmoníček, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the U.S., and Ladislava Begeç Consul General of Slovakia in New York, Wednesday, May 14, for "100th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Agreement."

The Pittsburgh Agreement established Czechoslovakia as an independent nation after WWI in the wake of the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

WorldBoston Is Hiring!

WorldBoston is hiring a manager of operations and global education programs!

Request for Proposals: Meridian International Center U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program

Meridian International Center is seeking proposal partners for the FY2018 U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program. This program seeks to expand engagement with American citizen alumni by offering professional development seminars and accompanying career events in different regions of the U.S., focusing on professional networks, capacity building, and job-skills training.

Selected partner organizations will be responsible for the following:

·     In collaboration with Meridian, design one- to two-day professional development seminars and career opportunities for approximately 40-200 U.S. citizen alumni of USG-funded exchange programs;

·     Identify speakers, trainers, and local business contacts to participate in the professional development seminars and follow-on activities;

·     Assist Meridian to execute a communications strategy in order to drive event recruitment and media coverage.

Deadline for applications: Friday, May 18.

May 9, 2018

Weekly World News Update

U.S. Leaves Iran Deal; Haspel CIA Controversy; U.S.-North Korea Relations; Armenia's New PM; Malaysia Votes; Global Health

Quote of the Week

"The Iranian nuclear deal is defective at its core."

-- U.S. President Donald Trump, in a speech Tuesday announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the deal.

"We will begin again with the enrichment of uranium at an industrial level without limits."

-- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, in a speech in reply to the U.S. decision.

"Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America’s closest allies, and an agreement that our country’s leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated. In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next. But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America’s credibility, and puts us at odds with the world’s major powers."

-- President Barack Obama, in a statement released in response to the Trump Administration's move.

U.S. Drops the Iran Nuclear Deal

"Trump Withdraws U.S. from the Iran Nuclear Deal. What You Need to Know" Jon Greenberg; John Kruzel; Amy Sherman -- PolitiFact, May 8, 2018

"Trump Dumps Iran Deal - Hallelujah!" Andrew C. McCarthy -- National Review, May 8, 2018

"Trump Destroys the Iran Deal - and a Lot More" Robin Wright -- The New Yorker, May 8, 2018

"Europeans Scramble to Save Iran Nuclear Deal, but Face New Concerns Over U.S. Sanctions" James McAuley -- The Washington Post, May 9, 2018

"The Challenge of Reinstating Sanctions Against Iran" Peter Harrell -- Foreign Affairs, May 4, 2018

Controversy Over Haspel for CIA

"Bipartisan Group of 115 Retired and Former Career Ambassadors Warn Senate that Confirming Haspel Would Undercut the Work of Diplomats Around the World" Editorial Board -- Human Rights First, May 9, 2018

"Why Intelligence Pros Have Swung Behind the CIA's Gina Haspel" Gerald F. Seib -- The Wall Street Journal, May 7, 2018

Warming U.S.-North Korea Relations?

"Trump's First Breakthrough in North Korea Negotiations" Krishnadev Calamur -- The Atlantic, May 9, 2018

"Kim Jong Un Is Playing America and China" Doug Bandow -- The National Interest, May 8, 2018

"Make North Korea's Test Pause Permanent" Jon Wolfsthal -- 38 North, May 7, 2018

Armenia's New Prime Minister

"He Was a Protester a Month Ago. Now, Nikol Pashinyan Leads Armenia" Neil MacFarquhar -- The New York Times, May 8, 2018

"How Russia Played Silent Kingmaker in Armenia's Revolution" Margarita Antidze -- Reuters, May 8, 2018

Malaysia Goes to the Polls

"Malaysia's Unappetizing Choice" James Crabtree -- Nikkei Asian Review, May 8, 2018

"What Is Wrong with Malaysia?" Umapagan Ampikaipakan -- The New York Times, May 7, 2018

"'Queen of Dragons': The Inside Story of Malaysia's Election Fixer" Peter Guest -- Wired, May 9, 2018

Global Health News

"Ebola Returns Just as Trump Asks to Rescind Ebola Funds" Ed Yong -- The Atlantic, May 9, 2018

"Bringing Gender Equality to Global Public Health" Helen Clark and Sania Nishtar -- Project Syndicate, May 8, 2018

May 7, 2018

WACA Weekly

This Week: Complete the Council Survey; Register for Spring Leadership and Board Meetings; Pakistan's Ambassador at Dallas/Fort Worth; Charlotte Hosts World Citizen Award Dinner; Council Highlights

WACA Council Survey to Close on Friday, May 11

WACA has been conducting a Council Benchmarking Survey in conjunction with WACA's annual membership dues renewal. While almost all of you have submitted your dues (thank you!), we would also like to achieve full participation in the survey.

The survey's objective is to gather data about local Council size and resources, programming, and marketing. Please only fill out one survey per Council. We plan to release the survey results at the Spring Leadership Meeting in San Antonio on May 18, and we will also provide them in a newsletter.

Council leaders: Please be sure to complete our Council Survey by Friday, May 11.

Stratfor's Reva Goujon to Speak at Leadership Meeting Dinner:

Where U.S. Trade Policy and Grand Strategy Intersect

Registration for the May 17-18 Council Leadership Meeting is now open! Please be sure to sign up even if you have already reserved your hotel room.

Reva Goujon, Vice President of Global Analysis at Stratfor, will keynote a special dinner at San Antonio's Club Giraud on Friday, May 18 from 6:00-9:00 pm, following the leadership workshop sessions.

WACA President Bill Clifford will host a conference call to brief Meeting participants on the full agenda and clarify topics for the popular breakout sessions. We want your input! Please sign up for the call - indicate your preference for Wednesday, 5/9 or Thursday, 5/10 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET - using this Doodle poll below. Be sure to respond to the poll by 12:00 pm ET tomorrow (Tuesday).

The meetings will open with an installment of WAC San Antonio's Distinguished Speaker Series, "San Antonio’s First 300 Years: From Spanish Colony to Modern City," on Thursday, May 17 at 5:30 pm.

The WACA Board meets Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Reva Goujon

VP of Global Analysis

Stratfor

Next Week: Michael McFaul on Cover to Cover

When Michael McFaul was asked to leave his perch at Stanford and join an unlikely presidential campaign in 2008, he had no idea that he would find himself at the beating heart of one of today’s most contentious and consequential international relationships. As President Obama’s adviser on Russian affairs, McFaul helped craft the U.S. policy known as “reset” that fostered unprecedented collaboration between the two countries. Then, as U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012-2014), he had a front-row seat when this fleeting, hopeful moment crumbled with Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency.

From Cold War to Hot Peace is a riveting inside account that combines history and memoir to tell the full story of U.S.-Russia relations from the fall of the Soviet Union to the new rise of the hostile, paranoid Russian president.

Join the May Cover to Cover conference call to discuss McFaul's new book, From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia, on Tuesday, May 15, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET.

Council Leaders: Please Vote by May 18

New WACA National Board terms will commence July 1 (a term is three years).

According to the bylaws, one authorized representative of each member organization may vote YEA or NAY on the nominees for the WACA National Board. See bios.

Please respond by email vote to Chelsea Beaulieu at cbeaulieu@worldaffairscouncils.org no later than close of business on Friday, May 18.

With the start of our new fiscal year on July 1, 2018, WACA National Board Committees will be recomposed. The Nominating Committee will announce an official call for nominations to the board in early September. Please begin now to consider the strongest Supporting (corporate and institutional) and Council candidates for the WACA National Board, with terms to start in July 2019. 

CANDIDATES ELECTION (JULY 2018-JUNE 2021 TERM):

BOARD CANDIDATES (Supporting Member Nominees):

Carlos Alvarez, CEO, The Gambrinus Company (TX)

Alex Lari, CEO, The Claremont Group (NY) 

BOARD CANDIDATES (Council Rep Nominees):

Joan Lemoine, immediate past Executive Director, WAC Hilton Head

Derrick Olsen, President, WorldOregon

Incumbent Supporting Member Nominee (second 3-year term):

Forough Hosseini, Senior Vice President, Information Systems, ICI Homes, Inc. (FL) 

Incumbent Council Rep Nominees (second 3-year term):

Craig Snyder, President and CEO, WAC Philadelphia 

Xiao Yin Zhao, Executive Director, WAC Kentucky and Southern Indiana

Request for Proposals: Meridian International Center U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program

Meridian International Center is seeking proposal partners for the FY2018 U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program. This program seeks to expand engagement with American citizen alumni by offering professional development seminars and accompanying career events in different regions of the U.S., focusing on professional networks, capacity building, and job-skills training.

Selected partner organizations will be responsible for the following:

·     In collaboration with Meridian, design one- to two-day professional development seminars and career opportunities for approximately 40-200 U.S. citizen alumni of USG-funded exchange programs;

·     Identify speakers, trainers, and local business contacts to participate in the professional development seminars and follow-on activities;

·     Assist Meridian to execute a communications strategy in order to drive event recruitment and media coverage.

Learn more: Friday, May 11 conference call with Gretchen Ehle, VP of GlobalConnect at Meridian.

Deadline for applications: Friday, May 18.

World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth Hosts Pakistan's Ambassador

World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth hosts H.E. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the U.S., today, May 7, for "Pakistan-U.S. Bilateral Relations."

A member of the Foreign Service of Pakistan with 36 years of bilateral and multilateral experience, H.E. Chaudhry has served as Ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S. since March 2017.

World Affairs Council of Charlotte to Hold World Citizen Award Dinner

Since 1990, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte has presented its World Citizen Award annually to prominent citizens who have enhanced their community’s standing in the world, honoring their accomplishments and contributions to the city, the region, and the international community.

At this year's sold-out dinner on Tuesday, May 8, the World Affairs Council of Charlotte will present the 2018 World Citizen Award to Pat Rodgers, President and CEO of Rodgers Builders.

May 2, 2018

Weekly World News Update

New Hope for Koreas; Iran Nuclear Deal; Armenian Unrest; U.S.-Europe Trade Tensions; Biological Attacks

Quote of the Week

"This is not the way that diplomacy has to work. It doesn’t have to be leadership by tweet."

-- Ronan Farrow, journalist, in an interview with PBS NewsHour about his new book, War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence, on Tuesday.

A New Hope for the Koreas

"A Real Path to Peace on the Korean Peninsula" Chung-in Moon -- Foreign Affairs, April 30, 2018

"Reasons to Be Hopeful, and not Hopeful, About North Korea" Michael Brendan Dougherty -- National Review, May 1, 2018

"From 'Fire and Fury' to Peace Prize? Some Talk of Nobel Award for Trump on North Korea" Anne Gearan and Ashley Parker -- The Washington Post, May 1, 2018

"What Kim Jong Un Wants from Trump" Van Jackson -- Politico, April 30, 2018

"Here's Why North Korea Will Give Up Its Nuclear Weapons" Gordon G. Chang -- The National Interest, April 30, 2018

End of the Line for the Iran Nuclear Deal?

"Benjamin Netanyahu's Nuclear Nothingburger" Steven Simon -- The New York Times, May 1, 2018

"Binyamin Netanyahu Tries to Convince Donald Trump to Scuttle the Iran Deal" Editorial Baord -- The Economist, May 1, 2018

"Why Is Netanyahu So Obsessed with Iran?" Richard Silverstein and Muhammad Sahimi -- Middle East Eye, May 2, 2018

"Israel and the U.S Have Little to Gain from Trump Scrapping Iran Nuclear Deal" Zvi Bar'el -- Haaretz, May 2, 2018

"The Iran Regime-Change Crew Is Back" Vali Nasr -- The Atlantic, April 25, 2018

Unrest in Armenia

"Armenia's Bad Week for Autocrats" Viken Berberian -- The New York Review of Books, May 1, 2018

"What's Next for Armenia's Protest Movement?" Anna Ohanyan -- Al Jazeera, May 1, 2018

U.S-Europe Trade Tensions

"The U.S. and Europe Are Locked in a Standoff Over Tariffs" Zeeshan Aleem -- Vox, May 1, 2018

"Europe Is Annoyed, not Grateful, After Trump Delays Tariffs" Jack Ewing -- The New York Times, May 1, 2018

"What You Need to Know About the EU-U.S. Trade Spat" Emre Peker -- The Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2018

"What Is Donald Trump's Trade Policy? Nobody Knows" John Cassidy -- The New Yorker, May 1, 2018

Preparing for Biological Attacks

"The New Killer Pathogens" Kate Charlet -- Foreign Affairs, May/June, 2018

"Are We Prepared for a Killer Flu Epidemic?" Michaeleen Doucleff -- NPR, April 27, 2018

May 1, 2018

May Newsletter

This Month: Spring Leadership Meeting; Top AWQ Teams; Future of Korea Grant Awards; Council of the Month; Global I.Q. Minute; Council Opportunities and Highlights

Spring Leadership and Board Meetings Hotel Block Ends Wednesday, May 2

This year's Spring Leadership and Board Meetings will be held in partnership with the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, May 17-19. 

The meetings will open with an installment of WAC San Antonio's Distinguished Speaker Series on Thursday, May 17 at 5:30 pm CT: San Antonio’s First 300 Years: From Spanish Colony to Modern City

On Friday, May 18, following professional development workshops, WACA will host a dinner with a VIP speaker.

The WACA Board meets Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Hotel Block

We have extended our hotel block at Hotel Valencia. We are offering a rate of $169/night. The block will now close Wednesday, May 2 at 5:00 pm CT. Book your room today!

*Registration and agendas coming soon. ($50; free for 1918 Society members and Council leaders who renewed membership by the deadline)

Academic WorldQuest 2018 National Competition

A heartfelt thank you to all students, teachers, parents, and other participants who made the Carlos and Malu Alvarez 2018 Academic WorldQuest National Competition a wonderful success!

Special thanks also to all of our sponsors, including the United States Institute of Peace, which held a welcome reception for all Academic WorldQuest attendees. Read the WACA press release.

Congratulations to the winning teams:

2018 Champions: Plano West Senior High School - World Affairs Council of Dallas/Forth Worth

Grand prize: Microsoft Surface Books 2

2nd: Palm Desert High School - World Affairs Council of the Desert

3rd: Indian Hill High School - World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

4th: Thornton Academy - World Affairs Council of Maine

5th: Davidson Academy - Northern Nevada International Center

6th: duPont Manual High School - World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana

7th: Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy - World Affairs Council of Austin

8th: Keystone School - World Affairs Council of San Antonio

9th: Canyon Crest Academy - San Diego World Affairs Council

10th: Clements High School - World Affairs Council of Greater Houston

Scores will be sent to all 45 teams soon.

Keynote speaker: Nabil Kapasi, Academic WorldQuest National Competition alumnus and sophomore at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. See his speech about the Academic WorldQuest experience and attending university in our nation's capital. Watch now.

The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest 2018 National Competition would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of students, teachers, parents, chaperones, and all World Affairs Council staff and volunteers across the country. Thank you for helping make the competition a great success!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

May Cover to Cover with Michael McFaul:

From Cold War to Hot Peace

In 2008, when Michael McFaul was asked to leave his perch at Stanford and join an unlikely presidential campaign, he had no idea that he would find himself at the beating heart of one of today’s most contentious and consequential international relationships. As President Obama’s adviser on Russian affairs, McFaul helped craft the U.S. policy known as “reset” that fostered unprecedented collaboration between the two countries. Then, as U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012-2014), he had a front-row seat when this fleeting, hopeful moment crumbled with Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency.

From Cold War to Hot Peace is a riveting inside account that combines history and memoir to tell the full story of U.S.-Russia relations from the fall of the Soviet Union to the new rise of the hostile, paranoid Russian president.

Join the May Cover to Cover conference call to discuss McFaul's new book, From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia, on Tuesday, May 15, at 2:00-2:30 PM ET.

Council Leaders: Please Vote by May 18

New WACA National Board terms will commence July 1 (a term is three years).

According to the bylaws, one authorized representative of each member organization may vote YEA or NAY on the nominees for the WACA National Board. See bios.

Please respond by email vote to Chelsea Beaulieu at cbeaulieu@worldaffairscouncils.org no later than close of business on Friday, May 18.

With the start of our new fiscal year on July 1, 2018, WACA National Board Committees will be recomposed. The Nominating Committee will announce an official call for nominations to the board in early September. Please begin now to consider the strongest Supporting (corporate and institutional) and Council candidates for the WACA National Board, with terms to start in July 2019. 

CANDIDATES ELECTION (JULY 2018-JUNE 2021 TERM):

BOARD CANDIDATES (Supporting Member Nominees):

Carlos Alvarez, CEO, The Gambrinus Company (TX)

Alex Lari, CEO, The Claremont Group (NY) 

BOARD CANDIDATES (Council Rep Nominees):

Joan Lemoine, immediate past Executive Director, WAC Hilton Head

Derrick Olsen, President, WorldOregon

Incumbent Supporting Member Nominee (second 3-year term):

Forough Hosseini, Senior Vice President, Information Systems, ICI Homes, Inc. (FL) 

Incumbent Council Rep Nominees (second 3-year term):

Craig Snyder, President and CEO, WAC Philadelphia 

Xiao Yin Zhao, Executive Director, WAC Kentucky and Southern Indiana

Announcing: Future of Korea 2018 Selected Councils

Selected Councils:

·     Colorado Springs WAC/WorldDenver

·     Indiana Council on World Affairs

·     Peoria Area WAC

·     Santa Fe Council on International Relations

·     Utah Council on Citizen Diplomacy

·     WAC Charlotte

·     WAC Harrisburg

·     WAC New Hampshire

The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to announce selected Councils in our annual programming partnership with the Korea Economic Institute (KEI).

KEI, in consultation with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the U.S. Department of State, and the World Affairs Councils of America, based its selection on a highly competitive application process. WACA will administer the grants for Future of Korea 2018 programs.

April 30, 2018

Academic WorldQuest Recap and

Spring Leadership and Board Meetings Updates

As WACA finishes wrapping up another successful Academic WorldQuest National Competition, today's email will be concise and will include two major highlights from the National Office.

We will send the full May newsletter tomorrow, May 1.

Academic WorldQuest 2018 National Competition

A heartfelt thank you to all students, teachers, parents, and other participants who made the Carlos and Malu Alvarez 2018 Academic WorldQuest National Competition a wonderful success!

Special thanks also to all of our sponsors, including the United States Institute of Peace, which held a welcome reception for all Academic WorldQuest attendees. Read the WACA press release.

We will be sending a survey and team scores to chaperones very soon!

Congratulations to the winning teams:

First place: Plano West Senior High School - World Affairs Council of Dallas/Forth Worth

Second place: Palm Desert High School - World Affairs Council of the Desert

Third place: Indian Hill High School - World Affairs Council of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky

Keynote speaker: Nabil Kapasi, Academic WorldQuest National Competition alum and sophomore at Georgetown University's School of International Service. See his speech about the Academic WorldQuest experience and attending university in our nation's capital. Watch now.

United States Institute of Peace:

WACA would like to additionally recognize Ambassador William Taylor, Executive Vice President of USIP, who made welcome remarks at the AWQ Reception at the United States Institute of Peace's iconic headquarters.

Thank you to our Judges and Emcee:

Emcee: Joyce Davis, World Affairs Council of Harrisburg

Judge: Rich Crepage, WACA Advisory Council

Judge: Maureen Korzik, World Affairs Council of Hilton Head

Judge: Leslie Palmer, World Affairs Council of San Antonio

The Carlos and Malú Alvarez Academic WorldQuest 2018 National Competition would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of students, teachers, parents, chaperones, and all World Affairs Council staff and volunteers across the country. Thank you for helping to make competition a great success!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Spring Leadership and Board Meetings Hotel Block Closes Wednesday, May 2

This year's Spring Leadership and Board Meetings will be held in partnership with the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, May 17-19. 

The meetings will open with an installment of WAC San Antonio's Distinguished Speaker Series on Thursday, May 17 at 5:30 pm CT:

San Antonio’s First 300 Years: From Spanish Colony to Modern City

Join the World Affairs Council of San Antonio and local historian Dr. Gilberto Hinojosa for a fascinating overview of San Antonio’s last 300 years, from its foundation as a Spanish outpost to its rise in the twentieth century.

This event is held in conjunction with the World Affairs Councils of America’s Annual Spring Leadership Meeting.

On Friday, May 18, following professional development workshops, WACA will host a dinner with a VIP speaker.

The WACA Board meets Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Hotel Block

We have extended our hotel block at Hotel Valencia. We are offering a rate of $169/night. The block will now close Wednesday, May 2. Book your room today!

*Registration and agendas coming soon. ($50; free for 1918 Society members and Council leaders who renewed membership by the deadline)

April 26, 2018

1918 Society Call

ASG: Global Trade Update

The World Affairs Councils of America is pleased to invite 1918 Society members to join Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) for a conference call discussion on the state of global trade during this time of unprecedented uncertainty.

The call will take place on Friday, April 27, at 10:30-11:15 am ET.

ASG Chair Secretary Gutierrez and senior experts from ASG’s Latin America and East Asia and Pacific practices will share their insights on trade tensions between the U.S. and key partners, with a focus on how businesses will be impacted:

What are the prospects and timeline for securing a renegotiated NAFTA? How will the upcoming presidential election in Mexico and U.S. midterms impact the agreement’s future?

Will the U.S. and China reach an agreement to pull back from the brink of a full-blown trade war?

Join the 1918 Society

This invitation is exclusive to 1918 Society members. If you are interested in joining the 1918 Society, please contact Chelsea Beaulieu at 202-833-4557 or by email at cbeaulieu@worldaffairscouncils.org for more information.

Featured speakers:

Carlos M. Gutierrez, Chair, ASG

Eric Altbach, Senior Vice President East Asia and Pacific Practice, ASG

Antonio Ortiz-Mena, Senior Vice President, Latin America Practice, ASG

Moderator: Lauren Bosma, Analyst, East Asia and Pacific Practice, ASG