Tag: Washington DC

July 20, 2015

Global Digital Policy: Views from the United States and South Korea
Date: July 20, 2:00 pm
Location: Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington Dc

With more than 193 member countries, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a U.N. specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs) whose goal is to connect people through modern communication technology. Hosted last year in Busan, South Korea, the ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference 2014 helped propel South Korea as a central player in the dialogue on Internet policy. Crucial policy topics included Internet governance, the Internet of Things, and ICTs being used for development purposes. This event will examine global digital policy with views from the U.S. and South Korea.

On July 20, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings will host a panel to discuss the increasing challenges and opportunities to providing Internet access to a globalized, shifting, and high-demand population. Speakers will discuss the importance of spurring creativity, ingenuity, and innovation in economies around the world. What are the economic and social benefits of the Internet economy, and what are the possible avenues for future U.S.- Korea bilateral engagement on ICT? Participants will reflect upon the international landscape and what lies ahead in the wake of the 2014 ITU conference in Korea with a view towards the United Nation’s upcoming WSIS +10 High Level Meeting, which will take place in December 2015.

After the session, panelists will take audience questions. Register here to attend.

Preparing for Disaster: U.S. Disaster Response Policy and Areas for Reform
Date: July 20, 2:00 pm
Location: Heritage Foundation, Lehrman Auditorium, 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington DC

As summer drags on and we move through hurricane season, concerns about the inevitable severe tropical storm grow. Together with other disasters, the federal government should be evaluating how well prepared the U.S. is to respond to a national disaster.

Have we implemented the lessons learned from the government’s response to natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and from pandemics like the 2013-2014 Ebola outbreak? What is the state of the federal government’s emergency preparedness systems and response plans? What role does the military play and how can they best support civil authorities? How could the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) be improved to strengthen U.S. disaster response capabilities?

Join us for a discussion regarding the state of disaster preparedness in the United States, as we host a panel of experts who will examine current U.S. disaster policy and potential areas for reform.

Register here to attend in person or watch live online.

July 21, 2015

China’s Transition at Home and Abroad
Date: July 21, 9:00 am
Location: Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

As China transitions from an economy driven by exports to an economy driven by consumption, the effects are being felt worldwide. In spite of this economic “new normal,” China has also become increasingly active in seeking a role in global governance as exemplified by the recent establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the “one belt, one road” development strategy. On the other side of the globe, the state of the U.S. economy remains uncertain, breeding serious concern regarding future U.S. economic policies.

On July 21, The John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution will bring together key insiders from the policymaking communities in China and the United States to explore the issues raised by China’s rise and economic transition.

Questions will be taken from the audience following the discussions. Register here.

Iran and the Future of the Regional Security and Economic Landscape
Date: July 21, 9:00 am
Location: Center for a New American Security, NYU Washington DC, 1307 L Street NW, Washington DC

The international community is negotiating a deal with Iran on its nuclear program ahead of a June 30 deadline. Under a potential deal, Iran would put significant limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief from the international community. But the details and effects of any potential agreement are far from simple. Iran’s regional rivals, who are core U.S. partners in the Middle East, are deeply concerned about how a deal will change regional power dynamics. There are also questions about economic competition, particularly in energy markets, in the aftermath of a nuclear deal. And there are many questions about how the United States and the European Union would be able re-impose their punishing economic sanctions in the event that Iran does not adhere to a deal. To address these questions, the Center for a New American Security and the Center on Law and Security at the New York University School of Law will convene a high level forum of Middle East and sanctions experts to discuss Iran and the future of regional security and economics.

Register here.

Islamic Extremism, Reformism, and the War on Terror
Date: July 21, 10:00 am
Location: American Enterprise Institute, 12^th Floor, 1150 17^th Street NW, Washington DC

President Barack Obama has said that the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) and other extremist groups do not represent true Islam. The extremists, however, dispute this. This leads to a basic question: What role, if any, does Islam play in fomenting terrorism?

As extremist forces increasingly sow destruction, how should policymakers respond? How prevalent are moderates, and how serious are regional calls for a “reformation” within Islam? What role, if any, can the US play to encourage reform? How do anti-Islamic polemics undercut reform?

Please join us at AEI for a two-panel discussion on the religious basis of Islamist terrorism and how or whether it should factor into a comprehensive US strategy to defeat extremists.

We welcome you to follow the speech and comment on Twitter with #TalkingIslam. RSVP to attend.

Negotiating the Gulf: How a Nuclear Deal Would Redefine GCC-Iran Relations
Date: July 21, 12:00 pm
Location: The Arab Gulf States Institute, 1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1060, Washington DC

With an agreement now struck between Iran and the P5+1 on the country’s nuclear program, few in the international community have more at stake than Iran’s Arab neighbors across the Gulf.

Will the agreement usher in a new era of detente in the Middle East? Will Iran emerge as a more responsible partner, not just to the West but also to regional powers? Can Iran and the GCC states begin to identify areas of cooperation to bring about more stability and security to the region? Will the agreement truly prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, or does the Middle East stand on the brink of another, particularly dangerous, arms race?

This AGSIW special event will examine these and other key issues from multiple perspectives, providing a timely guide to understanding the complex implications of the Vienna agreement.

RSVP here.

Russian Expansion—A Reality or Fiction: A Conversation with Elmar Brok
Date: July 21, 12:30 pm
Location: German Marshall Fund, 1744 R Street NW, Washington DC

With the Minsk II ceasefire in eastern Ukraine looking increasingly shaky, Europe risks a frozen conflict for years to come. However, is Russian President Vladimir Putin finished in Ukraine? Can the United States and Europe expect more aggression from the Kremlin or is consolidation Russia’s strategy now? What do the future of Russian relations with the European Union and Germany look like and what role do sanctions play in this calculation? Elmar Brok, chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, will answer these questions and provide analysis of U.S.-European views toward Ukraine and Russia. GMF, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and the European Parliament Liaison Office are pleased to jointly host this conversation.

Register here.

From Sea to Denial to Nuclear Deterrence: India’s Quest for a Nuclear Submarine
Date: July 21, 1:00 pm
Location: Nuclear Proliferation International History Project, 6^th Floor, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

In July 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh unveiled India’s first nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, catapulting India into a select group of countries possessing naval nuclear prolusion technology. Contemporary commentaries and popular historical narratives often assign the desire for a nuclear deterrent to the entire history of India’s submarine program. Instead, scholar Yogesh Joshi argues that theArihant’s historical trajectory contradicts any such retrospective reasoning—the program appears evolutionary and the rationale, shifting.

India’s quest for a nuclear submarine began with an interest in nuclear propulsion as a “technology of future” in late 1960s, but the strategic rationale soon shifted to “sea denial” against extra-regional powers operating in the Indian Ocean. Joshi will argue that until the end of the 1970s, there is no evidence available that India was planning to develop its submarine program into a platform for its nuclear weapons. While India’s submarine program gained speed during the 1980s with help from the Soviet Union, the program was configured around the Soviet Charlie-II class submarine, an attack submarine. Moreover, the collapse of the USSR meant that the promise of Soviet technological assistance never materialized in full.

Joshi will argue that the program’s shift towards ballistic missile submarines began after the nuclear tests of 1998, but his research also suggest that the strategic inertia of “sea denial” continued to have heavy influence on the program, as seen through India’s official pronouncements and internal documents. Using declassified materials from the British, Indian, US, and Russian archives, interviews with key decision-makers, and open sources, this seminar will explore the process through which “sea based nuclear deterrence” became a part of India’s strategic calculus.
RSVP here.

Rebuilding Afghanistan: Transparency & Accountability in America’s Longest War
Date: July 21, 6:30 pm
Location: PS21, Thomson Reuters Conference Room, 1333 H Street NW, Washington DC

As the longest running and one of the most expensive wars in U.S. history winds down, PS21 asks: just where did the money go? We are delighted to present a discussion with the man looking into that very question, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John F. Sopko, and Just Security.

Register here.

July 22, 2015

Drones and Aerial Observation: New Technologies for Property Rights, Human Rights, and Global Development
Date: July 22, 8:00 am
Location: New America Foundation, 1899 L Street NW, Washington DC

Clear and secure rights to property—land, natural resources, and other goods and assets—are crucial to human prosperity. Most of the world’s population lack such rights. That lack is in part a consequence of political and social breakdowns, and in part driven by informational deficits. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, by virtue of their aerial perspective, are able to gather large amounts of information cheaply and efficiently, as can unpowered aerial platforms like kites and balloons.

That information, in the form of images, maps, and other environmental data, can be used by communities to improve the quality and character of their property rights. These same tools are also useful in other, related aspects of global development. Drone surveillance can help conservationists to protect endangered wildlife and aid scientists in understanding the changing climate; drone imagery can be used by advocates and analysts to document and deter human rights violations; UAVs can be used by first responders to search for lost people or to evaluate the extent of damage after natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes.

Earlier this year, New America launched a website, drones.newamerica.org, which comprises a database of such uses of drones, as well as the first comprehensive compilation of global drone regulations. In conjunction with this July 22nd Symposium, New America is publishing a primer that discusses the capabilities and limitations of unmanned aerial vehicles in advancing property rights, human rights and development more broadly. The primer contains both nuts-and-bolts advice to drone operators and policy guidance. Though drones have substantial potential—in particular they are capable of making new maps cheaply, in a decentralized fashion—they are also a technology with pitfalls.

Please join Anne-Marie Slaughter, New America’s president and CEO, for a half-day discussion of these important issues. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

RSVP here.

U.S.-China Relations in Trans-Atlantic Context
Date: July 22, 10:00 am
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 5^th Floor, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

Conflicting responses to Chinese leadership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the prospects of the renminbi as a reserve currency make clear that the U.S. and its traditional European partners do not always see China’s growing influence in the same light. Differences may be exacerbated by Eurasian projects like China’s One Belt, One Road and Western groupings like the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. U.S.-China-EU relations are of growing importance, but the trans-Atlantic implications of U.S.-China relations are not as well understood as the Japanese, Russian, or Southeast Asian contexts.

The Wilson Center is pleased to partner with the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy in hosting this discussion of U.S.-Chinese-EU relations.

Register here.

The Future of Energy Markets: The Other Middle East Revolution
Date: July 22, 10:30 am
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

Please join us for a discussion with Majid Jafar, Chief Executive Officer of Crescent Petroleum, as part of the Global Energy Center’s CEO Series. Mr. Jafar will discuss how conflict and security issues in the Middle East coupled with the low oil price environment have impacted hydrocarbon producing countries in the region.  He will also address the steps that countries like Iraq should take in improving energy infrastructure, tackling subsidies, and reforming oil laws and regulations to improve investment in the oil and gas sector and bolster domestic stability.

Register here to attend in person or here to watch live online.

Terror Gone Viral: The Rise of Radicalism and America’s Response
Date: July 22, 10:30 am
Location: Heritage Foundation, Lehrman Auditorium, 214 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

America faces the most serious terror threat environment since 9/11. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has now been linked to dozens of plots or attacks against the West, including at least nine inside the United States since January. This surge in Islamist terror activity includes a rise in extremism here at home, as terrorists seek to radicalize and recruit operatives from our own communities. This year alone, the FBI has arrested more than 40 U.S.-based ISIS supporters and is investigating homegrown violent extremists in every state.

Join us for an in-depth discussion as our expert panel offers insights on the state of homeland security, counterterrorism, and U.S. strategy in the war against violent Islamist extremists.

Register here.

On Knife’s Edge: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia’s Impact on Violence Against Civilians
Date: July 22, 12:00 pm
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 5^th Floor Conference Room, Washington DC

The post-Cold War era has witnessed horrific violence against non-combatants. In the Bosnian War alone, tens of thousands of civilians died. The founders of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)—and then of the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC)—hoped these courts might curb such atrocities.  However, we still know very little about their actual impact.  This talk will draw on the ICTY’s experience as the first wartime international criminal tribunal to provide insight into how and when these institutions might affect violence against civilians.

RSVP here.

The Chinese Cyberthreat: Challenges and Solutions
Date: July 22, 12:15 pm
Location: American Enterprise Institute, 1150 17^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, Washington DC

US investigators are blaming China for the Office of Personnel Management cyberattack that stole more than 21.5 million US federal employees’ personal information. The attackers appear to be the same Chinese hackers who targeted Anthem this past February, stealing the data of as many as 80 million customers. Yet China’s cyber victims are not limited to government workers and consumers, as Chinese actors are probing American firms, military, and critical infrastructure.

In the absence of international norms guiding the use and deterrence of cyberattacks, what can the United States do to counter Chinese cyberespionage? Join AEI for a conversation with Chairman Cory Gardner (R-CO), followed by an expert panel on how to defend US economic and security interests from China’s growing cyber capabilities.

If you are unable to attend, we welcome you to watch the event live on this page. Full video will be posted within 24 hours. RSVP here to attend in person.

The Cost of Wars: Overseas Contingency Operations and Future Defense Spending
Date: July 22, 3:30 pm
Location: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8^th Floor, Washington DC

While the number of troops deployed overseas has decreased significantly, the cost per troop has increased markedly since the imposition of the 2011 Budget Control Act caps as the Obama administration and Congress have turned to Overseas Contingency Operations to fund increasingly unrelated programs. In his Fiscal Year 2016 request, President Obama requested a 6.8% increase above the 2015 level for base budget Pentagon spending, arguing for the third year that budget caps put in place by the 2011 Budget Control Act are not sustainable for either defense or non-defense spending. President Obama proposed instead to raise revenues and adopt alternate savings. Congress has again ignored the administration’s proposed alternative, choosing instead this year to use Overseas Contingency Operations as a loophole that allows the Pentagon to increase funding for base budget activities without regard to the constraints of the caps. Without better controls on Overseas Contingency Operations spending, the Pentagon is likely to continue to avoid making choices about how to accommodate the modernization and readiness increases that it wants with the freeze in defense spending mandated by the Budget Control Act. The Stimson Center invites you to join us for a discussion of Overseas Contingency Operations and future defense spending priorities.

RSVP here.

July 23, 2015

The National Idea in Russia and China
Date: July 23, 11:00 am
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center For Scholars, 6^th Floor Conference Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

Challenges in U.S. relations with great powers such as China and Russia derive not only from divergent national interests, but from distinct conceptions of nationhood, sovereignty, and modernity. Americans must therefore consider not only what the United States would like Russia and China to do, but how Chinese and Russians see themselves, one another, and the wider world, including the United States.

China and Russia: On Their Own Terms is a joint project of the Wilson Center’s Kennan and Kissinger Institutes. The goal of the series is to offer U.S. policymakers, analysts, and the broader public a primary source perspective on how China and Russia see their evolving international roles in light of their histories, cultural narratives, and national myths.

RSVP here.

June 22, 2015

Report Release: Project Atom
Date: June 22, 9:00 am
Location: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW, 2^nd Floor Conference Center, Washington DC

Project Atom took a competitive strategies approach to its zero-based, “blue sky” review of U.S. nuclear strategy and force posture. Three independent think tank teams – the Stimson Center, the Center for a New American Security, and the National Institute for Public Policy – investigated U.S. nuclear strategy for the new era (2025-2050) and what U.S. nuclear posture is needed to support that strategy. Their analysis, unconstrained by current strategy and policy and conducted within a common framework of assumptions, resulted in competing recommended strategies and postures for 2025-2050.  The panel will discuss their analysis and recommended nuclear strategies and postures. Hard copies of the report will be available in limited number.

Register here or watch live online.

Shared Water Resources in a Warming World: Conflict and Cooperation
Date: June 22, 10:00 am
Location: The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8^th Floor, Washington DC

Growing populations, rising resource demands, and mounting environmental pressures are putting increasing strains on global water supplies. From the Middle East to the Sahel and South Asia, stresses on the world’s crucial transboundary river basins—those shared by two or more nations—are stoking tensions and stirring conflict. Continuing global climate change will exacerbate the challenges confronting policy makers, altering river flows in every populated basin on Earth by 2050.

Meeting these emerging threats to the planet’s common water resources will require increased dialogue and collaboration among all riparian nations. How can international water diplomacy, multilateral development agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders help build cooperative governance structures, institutions, and practices to ensure global water security in the 21^st century? In a panel discussion co-hosted by the Stimson Center and the Wilson Center, water policy experts and practitioners will explore innovations, insights, and impediments to the cooperative management of shared rivers around the world. The conversation will include discussion of a new book onTransboundary Water Management and the Climate Change Debate by Anders Jägerskog and colleagues, and the findings of a new Stimson Center study of civil society initiatives to promote water cooperation in international river basins.

RSVP here.

A New Foreign Policy for America
Date: June 22, 12:00 pm
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 6^th Floor, Washington DC

In an era of new and emerging global threats, Senator Chris Murphy believes there is an urgent need to refocus the traditional debate between isolationism and military interventionism. Join us as Senator Murphy outlines the eight principles for a new foreign policy vision that seeks to maintain U.S. global leadership but looks beyond our traditional military toolkit for engaging the world.

In discussion with the Wilson Center’s Aaron David Miller, he will set these principles in the context of current international crises, from nuclear negotiations with Iran, to the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, to Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.

Register here.

India’s Nuclear Command and Control and its Implications for Strategic Stability in South Asia
Date: June 22, 3:30 pm
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

Although the US has reconciled itself to accepting India and Pakistan as de facto nuclear weapon powers since 1998, its concerns about the likelihood of a nuclear conflict in the region have increased in recent years. These concerns derive from a recent evolution in Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine and associated threats to use nuclear weapons in a tactical role on the conventional battlefield. As during the Cold War, sub-strategic nuclear use is considered highly destabilizing. In this context, Brigadier Arun Sahgal will discuss India’s nuclear command and control and its effects on strategic stability in South Asia.

Register here.

June 23, 2015

Nations in Transit: Democracy on the Defensive
Date: June 23, 12:00 pm
Location: Freedom House, 1850 M Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington DC

Democratization in post-communist Europe and Eurasia is not simply stalled but is actively opposed by forces that are determined to see it fail. The findings of the 2015 edition ofNations in Transit, Freedom House’s annual study of democratic governance in Central Europe to Central Asia, underscore the growing audacity of democracy’s foes in Eurasia, where four of every five people live under authoritarian rule.

Register here.

Financing for Global Health
Date: June 23, 2:00 pm
Location: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington DC

Please join us for the launch of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)’s Financing Global Health 2014 report: Shifts in Funding as the MDG Era Closes.

Dr. Christopher Murray , Director of the IHME at the University of Washington, will lead off with a presentation of findings from IHME’s newest report and a new article in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. Murray will highlight how funding patterns have shifted across time and identify where funding gaps persist.

Following Dr. Murray’s presentation, there will be a roundtable discussion, moderated by Talia Dubovi, Deputy Director of the CSIS Global Health Policy Center that will feature: Dr. Christopher Murray, Dr. Howard Bauchner, Editor-in-Chief of JAMA and Dr. Jennifer Kates , Vice President and Director of Global Health and HIV Policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation. The roundtable discussion will focus on the policy implications of IHME’s report.

Register here.

Envisioning the Future of Urban Warfare
Date: June 23, 3:00 pm
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

In the not-too-distant future, most of humanity will live in megacities. Megacities will serve as economic, cultural, and political hubs of international affairs–but they also will form the complex landscape of rivalry and violent conflict. Recent instances of urban combat–Saigon, Sarajevo, Fallujah–only begin to inform the epic challenge of fighting in our mid-century megacities. To fill in our understanding of that challenge, the Art of Future Warfare project will host a discussion on Envisioning the Future of Urban Warfare at the Atlantic Council on June 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is the capstone of the project’s “war-art challenge” that is eliciting illustrations (as from a graphic novel) that render scenes from urban fights in the 2040s and 2050s.

To further engage the topic, Max Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of World War Z, will join Jon Chang, the writer of the Black Powder Red Earth series, and Caerus Associates CEO Erin Simpson, plus the winner of the challenge in a panel discussion moderated by August Cole, the project’s Director. The best illustrations will be on display and the panelists will share their own perspectives on urban conflict, the future of warfare, and how creativity and the arts can enhance foresight, preparedness, and understanding of this singularly challenging battleground of the future.

The Art of Future Warfare is a project of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security which aims to give artists, writers, illustrators, directors, videographers, and other creative expressions a recognized voice in the defense establishment’s planning and preparation for the future of warfare and conflict.

Please also join us for a book signing by Max Brooks and Jon Chang following the event.

Register here to attend in person or watch live online here.

June 24, 2014

Cybersecurity: Managing the Risks of the Digital Frontier
Date: June 24, 8:00 am
Location: Newseum, Knight Broadcast Studio, Third Floor, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

American officials say thousands of cyberattacks are aimed at the United States every day. These malicious hacks have been called possibly the biggest systemic risk to the country. The administration declared them a national emergency and has rolled out a slew of financial penalties to respond to the threat.

In Congress, efforts to boost cybersecurity include legislation to ease information sharing between companies and the government. While many businesses support the move on Capitol Hill that offers them a degree of liability protection, civil liberties groups say it would increase cyber-surveillance.

Join National Journal for a forum of key stakeholders and experts to discuss the nation’s cybersecurity policy and strategy: Are efforts by the administration and Congress sufficient to deter and combat cyberattacks? What can companies do to deal with cyber risk and protect their critical infrastructure? What safeguards need to be in place to protect the personal information of consumers?

Register here.

Building Peace in Permanent War: Counterterrorism and Constraints on Peacebuilding Five Years After Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project
Date: June 24, 9:30 am
Location: Charity & Security Network

Five years ago this month, the U.S. Supreme Court in Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project upheld the application of the “material support” prohibition to include key conflict prevention and resolution activities aimed at getting terrorist groups to lay down their arms, making it clear that good faith is no defense. As the report states, the HLP ruling “sent shockwaves through the peacebuilding community.” This is but one in a broad range of counterterrorism policies in numerous countries that are impacting the work of civil society around the world, leading some organizations to scale back or withdraw assistance programs in conflict zones where their services are often most needed.

This webinar will explore these issues, what civil society has done to adapt to this environment and what can be done to make peacebuilding feasible in terrorist-controlled areas.

Register here to attend the webinar.

Defending U.S. Critical Infrastructure
Date: June 24, 11:00 am
Location: Government Executive

Please join Government Business Council, in conjunction with our partners at CDW-G and Palo Alto Networks, for a panel discussion on the evolving threats to U.S. critical infrastructure and the federal government’s role in countering them.

The threat of crippling cyber attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure presents an unprecedented challenge for the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and other organizations tasked with securing our nation’s most vital systems. Between 2011 and 2014, the United States witnessed an 82 percent increase in the number of cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure, a trend likely to escalate over the next decade. To address the mounting capabilities gap between sophisticated cyber intruders and the increasingly outdated techniques used to protect U.S. critical infrastructure today, the federal government will need to invest in tools that provide defense in depth.

Tune in to learn more about some of the most pressing questions in cybersecurity today, including:

• How has the threat to U.S. critical infrastructure evolved over the last two decades?
• Why has critical infrastructure been slow to adapt to the current threat environment?
• What is the federal government’s current approach to defending its vital systems, and where is there room for innovation?
• What strategies and tools can help federal agencies achieve their missions?

Register here to attend the webinar.

Defense Acquisition Reform
Date: June 24, 12:00 pm
Location: Hart Senate Office Building, SH-902, Washington DC

The Lexington Institute is organizing a Capitol Hill forum on Wednesday, June 24th to discuss ways of streamlining management and procurement at the defense department.

The forum will be a series of back-to-back presentations by subject matter experts. It will be held from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM, and is designed to bring out useful information quickly from experts and policymakers.

This forum will focus on:

—  what the Pentagon can do to make itself a better buyer, increase incentives, and attract a broader spectrum of companies to bid on its work.  DoD’s policies on profit, intellectual property, commerciality, long time to contract, constantly changing and burdensome regulations are widely cited as contributing factors to reluctance of commercial suppliers to do business with the defense department

—  actions the defense department can take unilaterally to weed out duplicative regulations and requirements. Can cost accounting, testing and earned value management be improved in ways that will speed up procurements, and lower costs?

—  the role Congress plays in mandating cost increases on weapons programs.  By some calculations half of the mandates the defense department must follow are generated by the legislative branch

—  the trade spaces, if any, between the McCain and Thornberry approaches to acquisition reform.  Should the defense department welcome the McCain effort to decentralize power back to the military services?

Clearly, there is tremendous potential to achieve significant savings within defense management and acquisition. Unquestionably such changes would be difficult, but we need to keep exploring additional reforms for functions and processes that do not contribute to defense readiness at a time of tremendous fiscal pressures, and growing overseas threats.

RSVP to Constance Baroudos at baroudos@lexingtoninstitute.org or via telephone 703.522.5828

Pirates, Islam, and U.S. Hostage Policy
Date: June 24, 12:00 pm
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 5^th Floor, Washington DC

Michael Scott Moore, Freelance journalist, Spiegel Online and Author, will discuss his two and a half year ordeal as a captive of Somali pirates, with a focus on certain myths about hostage-taking.

RSVP here.

Eradicating Boko Haram Sustainably: An Integrated Regional Approach
Date: June 24, 2:00 pm
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 6^th Floor Conference Room, Washington DC

In recent months, Boko Haram has expanded its raids from Northern Nigeria across the border into Northern Cameroon. The attacks, including attacks in March and April which killed numerous Cameroonian villagers, have mainly been attempts to obtain more supplies for the group. The spread of Boko Haram across borders highlights the need for regional cooperation to halt the group. This week, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria announced plans to conduct talks with Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin to form a regional military force to combat Boko Haram.

Join the Wilson Center Africa Program on June 24th at 2:00 p.m. in the 6th floor board room for a meaningful discussion on ways to combat Boko Haram, both from the perspective of a U.S. official and a prominent Cameroonian activist who has traveled to the Far North of Cameroon, where Boko Haram attacks have been taking place.

RSVP here.

Coming to America: Global Suppliers for Defense and Security
Date: June 24, 4:30 pm
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

The United States relies on global sources of supply to meet a growing share of the materiel requirements for its defense and security. The upstream end of this supply chain is replete with imported components, assemblies, and even sub-systems. In addition, the preponderance of Europe’s preeminent defense/security companies have invested in the establishment of indigenous businesses in this country both to facilitate these imports and to manage US operating companies. The panel will address the business strategies underlying their companies’ respective participation in this market and the public policies administered to shape their engagement.

The Atlantic Council Captains of Industry Series is a platform for senior executives in aerospace and defense to address the public interests their companies serve and the public policies that shape these markets. By engaging the perspective of business leaders about issues at the interface of defense ministries and industries, the series is cultivating a constituency for practical solutions to these problems.

Register here.

Should the U.S. Put Boots on the Ground to Fight ISIS?
Date: June 24, 5:30 pm
Location: Brookings Institution

The question at hand: Should the U.S. put boots on the ground to fight ISIS?  Do you have a strong opinion? Can a well-informed debate change your mind?

On Wednesday evening, June 24, three policy experts and one U.S. senator will go head-to-head in the first Brookings debate.

Arguing in favor of intervention will be Michael Doran and Michael O’Hanlon. Arguing against will be Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) and Jeremy Shapiro.

Watch the live webcast here.

June 25, 2015

Annual Global Missile Defense Conference
Date: June 25, 8:30 am
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

Missile Defense is a critical element for the United States’ strategy to defend its homeland and its collaborative efforts to secure the territories of its allies and partners in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  In each of these regions, the combination of increased volatility, if not conflict, and new deployments by potential adversaries of increasingly capable ballistic missiles has made missile defense collaboration all the more challenging and urgent.

The Atlantic Council’s annual missile defense conference convenes leading missile defense and regional security experts to analyze the future trajectory of global missile defense issues. The conference focuses on how current and prospective geopolitical developments are shaping the requirements and opportunities for missile defense collaboration in Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific and will include a panel addressing the programmatic and technological challenges that define success and failure in missile defense programs. The conference will also feature an opening address by former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General James E. Cartwright.

Register here.

Cold War Crucible: The Korean Conflict and the Postwar World
Date: June 25, 9:00 am
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 5^th Floor, Washington DC

What, really, was the Cold War? No declarations nor explosions. Hostility was in the air, but where was the battlefront? What made millions of people worldwide willingly embrace the existence of an invisible war?

Masuda Hajimu’s pathbreaking Cold War Crucible is an inquiry into this peculiar nature of the Cold War. It examines not only centers of policymaking, but apparent aftereffects of Cold War politics: social suppressions across the world during the Korean War. Such purges were not merely end results of the Cold War, as Masuda shows, but forces that drove Cold War reality in attempts at restoring tranquility at home. Revealing social construction and popular participation, Cold War Crucible elucidates how a mere discourse turned into an irrefutable reality, how and why ordinary people shaped such a Cold War world, and what the Cold War really was.

Examining historical experiences of the Cold War, Masuda’s book ultimately raises questions that are still relevant today: How and for whom are images of threats formed and circulated? How real are the rubrics used to understand global situations? In short, what is reality?

Join the Wilson Center as Masuda Hajimu (National University of Singapore) discusses these questions and introduces Cold War Crucible: The Korean Conflict and the Postwar World. Andrew Rotter (Colgate University) and Ryan Irwin (University at Albany-SUNY) will provide commentary on Masuda’s presentation.

RSVP here.

Rouhani at Two Years: An Assessment on the Cusp of a Nuclear Deal
Date: June 25, 12:00 pm
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 5^th Floor, Washington DC

During President Rouhani’s first two years in office, attention has understandably been focused on Iran’s nuclear negotiations with the P5+1. Yet these two years have also witnessed important developments—and conflicts—in the sphere of politics, the economy, human rights and social policy. Our panel will examine this broad spectrum of issues.

RSVP here.

Ukraine, Minsk II, and Deadlock: A Conversation with Tim Judah
Date: June 25, 12:00 pm
Location: German Marshall Fund, 1744 R Street NW, Washington DC

With reports of additional Russian troops amassing along Ukraine’s Eastern border captivating headlines, the fragile deadlock in Ukraine remains in place. In Kyiv, political leadership is trying to manage an untenable economic situation, as the country teeters on the brink of financial ruin. All the while, conflict simmers in the East and as with the Minsk II barely hanging on, transatlantic leaders are considering levying additional sanctions against Russia following the most recent G-7 meeting in Germany. Yet gains made by Russian backed rebels appear intractable and an end to the conflict elusive. Tim Judah is among the most informed and fearless observers of the Ukraine crisis, having reported extensively from Eastern Ukraine and Kyiv since the beginning of the conflict for the New York Review of Books and other publications. GMF is honored to host Judah for a conversation based on his unique experience on developments and deadlock inside Ukraine. The conversation will be moderated by GMF’s Counselor and Senior Advisor for Security and Defense Derek Chollet.

RSVP here.

Beyond Centrifuges: The Geopolitical Implications of an Iran Deal
Date: June 25, 2:00 pm
Location: National Iranian American Council, Stimson Center Conference Room, 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8^th Floor, Washington DC

As negotiators work towards a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran by the June 30th deadline, there is much more at stake for the U.S. than just centrifuges and sanctions. While a deal has been contested by U.S. allies in Israel and Saudi Arabia, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen says a deal could “rebalance American influence” and that “Detente with Iran might better balance our efforts across the sectarian divide.”

How can a deal provide new options for the U.S. to resolve some of the most important challenges in the region? Join us for a timely discussion with Peter Beinart, contributing editor for The Atlantic and National Journal; Fred Kaplan, War Stories columnist for Slate; Trita Parsi, President of the National Iranian American Council; and moderator Barbara Slavin, South Asia Center Senior Fellow for the Atlantic Council.

RSVP here.

The China Challenge: Shaping the Choices of a Rising Power
Date: June 25, 4:00 pm
Location: Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

Many see China as a rival superpower to the United States and imagine the country’s rise to be a threat to U.S. leadership in Asia and beyond. In his new book, “The China Challenge: Shaping the Choices of a Rising Power” (W.W. Norton 2015), Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas J. Christensen argues against this zero-sum vision. Instead, he describes a new paradigm in which the real challenge lies in dissuading China from regional aggression while encouraging the country to contribute to the global order.

On June 25, the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings will host Christensen for a discussion on the challenges in U.S. policy toward China. Drawing on decades of scholarship and his experience as deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs from 2006 to 2008, Christensen shows that although China is nowhere near powerful enough to be considered a global “peer competitor” of the United States, the country is already strong enough to destabilize East Asia and to influence economic and political affairs worldwide. Following his remarks, Christensen will be followed by Senior Fellow David Dollar and Alan Romberg, distinguished fellow and director of the East Asia program at The Stimson Center.

Register here.

One Year Since Caliphate Declared: Combating ISIL
Date: June 25, 6:30 pm
Location: World Affairs Council—Washington DC, 1608 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington DC

Nearly a full year after it declared itself a caliphate, ISIL has greatly expanded its territory in Iraq and Syria, in addition to gaining the allegiance of terror networks around the globe. In the territory under their control they have effectively implemented a strict form of Sharia law, heavily utilizing corporal punishment as a means of enforcement, and they have been accused of committing genocide against ethnic and religious groups.  The question remains of how the United States’ and Coalition allies’ strategy will change to more effectively address the spread of ISIL’s ideology and their expansion of territory. Join World Affairs Council- Washington, DC as we welcome back Dr. Shadi Hamid and Thomas Sanderson for a discussion about ISIL; one of the most momentous and imposing insurgent groups facing America today.

Our speaker panel includes the knowledgeable and versed voices of Dr. Shadi Hamid; a current fellow at the Brookings Institution – Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World in the Center for Middle East Policy. Thomas Sanderson is the co-director and senior fellow in the Center for Strategic International Studies Transnational Threats Project.  Bryan Bender, defense editor for Politico, will moderate the discussion.

Register here.

June 15, 2015

Calculating the Costs of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Date: June 15, 12:00pm
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 6^th Floor, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

A new report by the RAND Corporation, The Costs of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, estimates the net costs and benefits over the next ten years of five alternative trajectories — (1) a two-state solution, (2) coordinated unilateral withdrawal, (3) uncoordinated unilateral withdrawal, (4) nonviolent resistance, and (5) violent uprising — compared with the costs and benefits of a continuing impasse.

This event will explore both the economic and the non economic factors surrounding the conflict that might influence the parties’ decisions and the long-term implications for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza and the international community.

RSVP here.

Global Cooperation Under Threat: Adapting the U.N. for the 21^st Century
Date: June 15, 1:30pm
Location: Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

Nearly 70 years after the United Nations charter was signed, the world faces new and rapidly evolving threats—both transnational and geopolitical. New tensions on the U.N. Security Council, however, risk limiting the United Nations capacity to intervene in civil wars and respond to humanitarian crises. At the same time, transnational and sub-state threats have the potential to seriously disrupt regional and international order.

On Monday, June 15, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings will host Susana Malcorra, chief of staff to the United Nations secretary-general for a discussion exploring how the organization is adapting to new geopolitical, transnational, and sub-state challenges.

In her current position at the U.N., Malcorra plays a central role in decision-making at the highest levels of the organization, advising the secretary-general on the full range of global and organizational affairs. Prior to her appointment as chief of staff in March 2012, Malcorra served as the undersecretary-general for field support, directing all support for U.N. peace operations worldwide. Malcorra also served as the chief operating officer and deputy executive director of the World Food Programme. Prior to joining the U.N., she spent 25 years in the private sector.

Watch live online here.

June 16, 2015

Can Afghanistan Stabilize as U.S. Forces Plan Their Exit?
Date: June 16, 10:00am
Location: United States Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC

The United States’ current policy in Afghanistan mandates a “responsible withdrawal” of U.S. forces by January 2017, when President Obama leaves office. With 18 months to go, a sense of crisis is mounting in Afghanistan as the economy sags, Taliban attacks increase, and the eight-month-old unity government remains deadlocked. Afghanistan’s instability has led policy specialists, commentators and other public voices to question whether enough progress can be made to let Afghanistan succeed if the U.S. withdrawal is conducted as planned.

Neither the international community nor Afghanistan’s divided political elites want to see the Afghan government fail. And the government has made some promising—if unfulfilled—initiatives, such as stronger anti-corruption efforts and an attempt to work with Pakistan against insurgents in both countries.

Join USIP’s experts on the region for a discussion on June 16, 2015, on both the perils of the situation and opportunities for improving it that have not been fully grasped.

USIP’s Dr. Andrew Wilder, will moderate the discussion, having just returned from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Former Afghan Minister of the Interior Ali Jalali will address security issues. Dr. William Byrd, former Afghanistan Country Director at the World Bank, will speak to the economic and fiscal issues. Scott Smith will analyze the function and dysfunction of the national unity government, and Moeed Yusuf will look at the prospects of President Ghani’s outreach to Pakistan and his attempt to reach a peace deal with the Taliban.

RSVP here.

Hearing: Advancing United States’ Interests at the United Nations
Date: June 16, 10:00am
Location: U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “In the coming months, the United Nations Security Council is likely to consider several key issues, including sanctions on Iran and North Korea, peacekeeping reform, and Middle East security.  It is critical that our mission to the United Nations advance our national interests in an institution that has long been in desperate need of reform and often taken positions against American interests.  This hearing will give members an opportunity to press the U.S. Ambassador to the UN on Congressional concerns and priorities.”

Watch live online here.

Russia and its Northern Neighbors: Young Leaders on the Future of Baltic Security
Date: June 16, 10:00am
Location: Johns Hopkins University—SAIS, Bernstein-Offit Building, Room 500, 1717 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

Russia’s actions in Ukraine have sparked new concerns about the security of neighboring countries in the Baltic region. Despite being often grouped together as the Baltic States, these countries hold unique perspectives and face widely differing challenges vis à vis their neighbor to the East.

What are the top concerns among the younger generation in the Baltic countries and Finland about their relationship with Russia? How did the war in Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea affect local attitudes toward Russia, and toward Russian-speaking minorities at home?

Please join CGI and the Center for Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins University SAIS for a panel discussion to address the future of Baltic security through the eyes of young professionals from the region. The panel will also consider how young Russians view the current situation and prospects for the future. Amid the current political environment, this panel will explore ways to ease tensions around the Baltic Sea for the broader goal of European security.

CGI Program Director Konstantin Avramov will give opening remarks. Donald Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, will moderate the discussion. A lunch reception will follow.

RSVP here.

Perspectives on the State of the TSA: Exploring Possible Reforms to the Transportation Security Administration
Date: June 16, 12:00pm
Location: Heritage Foundation, Lehrman Auditorium, 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington DC

Following breaking news that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) failed to stop undercover agents in 67 out of 70 recent security probes, various reform initiatives and proposals are being discussed. Should airports opt out of TSA-administered screening and explore signing contracts with private contractors? What can be done to improve airport security assessments? Does the TSA need to adopt more risk-based strategies and programs? Are more fundamental changes needed?

Join us for what should be a lively discussion on which security reforms the TSA should pursue in order to recover from unacceptable lapses in homeland security.

RSVP to attend in person or watch live online here.

Subcommittee Hearing: Reviewing the Administration’s FY 2016 Request for Europe and Eurasia
Date: June 16, 2:00pm
Location: U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC

Chairman Rohrabacher on the hearing: “This hearing will address how the Obama Administration’s Fiscal Year 2016 budget request will advance US interests and help our friends and allies in Europe and Eurasia. What is our policy and is our aid being used in a manner which promotes that policy? Are we funding efforts that are fiscally sustainable and don’t create a dependence on the part of the host government?  This hearing will provide the chance to put the Administration on the record and continue the Subcommittee’s ongoing oversight efforts.”

Witnesses include: Ms. Alina Romanowski, Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Mr. Daniel Rosenblum, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, The Honorable Jonathan Stivers, Assistant Administrator at the Bureau for Asia in the U.S. Agency for International Development, Ms. Susan Fritz, Acting Assistant Administrator in the Europe and Eurasia Bureau at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Watch live online here.

Democracy in the Dark: The Seduction of Government Secrecy
Date: June 16, 6:30pm
Location: Politics and Prose at Busboys and Poets Brookland, 625 Monroe St NE, Washington DC

Recent revelations of the extent of NSA citizen surveillance were a shock—and there have been similar surprises in recent years. In his deeply researched study of the role of government secrecy in a democracy, Schwarz, who co-authored Unchecked and Unbalanced and served as chief council to the Church Committee on Intelligence, looks at key moments throughout U.S. history—from the nation’s founding to the Cold War to the War on Terror—to establish a framework for balancing legitimate national security needs with the protection of constitutional rights.

Schwarz will be in conversation with Josh Gerstein, a White House reporter for POLITICO.

June 17, 2015

Making the Case for Peace: 2015 Global Peace Index
Date: June 17, 9:30am
Location: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1800 K Street NW, Washington DC

Please join us for the release of the ninth annual Global Peace Index and discussion on:   Making the Case for Peace: the 2015 Global Peace Index   What is the state of global peace in 2015? What are the main threats to peace and how can we prevent violence in the future? What are the implications of these trends for foreign policy and aid interventions?

The 2015 Global Peace Index discussion will explore these questions, detailing recent trends in militarization, safety and security, and ongoing conflict, with a focus on analyzing the factors that underpin peaceful societies.

Panel: Moderated by Aubrey Fox, Executive Director, United States, Institute for Economics and Peace Global Peace Index results presented by Daniel Hyslop, Research Manager, Institute for Economics and Peace Panelists: Ambassador Rick Barton Melanie Greenberg Executive Director, Alliance for Peacebuilding Matt Wuerker Editorial Cartoonist and Illustrator, POLITICO.

About the Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index (GPI) is the first-ever analysis to methodically rank countries on their peacefulness and to identify potential drivers of peace. Comprised of 23 indicators measuring the absence of violence in society, the GPI takes into consideration both internal and external factors, and measures 99% of the world’s population.

Register here.

Hearing: Assad’s Abhorrent Chemical Weapons Attacks
Date: June 17, 10:00am
Location: U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC

Chairman Royce on the hearing: “The Assad regime continues its chemical weapon strikes, despite Obama Administration claims to have destroyed its illegal stockpile. Assad denies having any chemical weapons, while his forces brazenly gas men, women, and children.  This hearing will highlight these horrific attacks and what can be done to protect vulnerable Syrian civilians. The Committee will hear chilling accounts, including from brave responders working to save the lives of those targeted by the Assad regime.”

Witnesses include: The Honorable Robert Ford, Senior Fellow at The Middle East Institute, Mohamed Tennari, M.D., Idlib Coordinator at the Syrian-American Medical Society, Mr. Farouq Habib, Syria Program Manager at Mayday Rescue, Annie Sparrow, M.B.B.S., Deputy Director Human Rights Program and Assistant Professor of Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Watch live online here.

Climate Security: the Next ‘Battle Ground’?
Date: June 17, 10:00am
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

As the international community heads to COP21 in Paris this December, much of the public discourse focuses on the relationship between climate and the environment.  Equally important, however, are the ways countries address the global security threats that arise from climate change.  From a national security perspective, climate change is viewed as a risk multiplier or conflict aggravator and a source of nontraditional threats that require nontraditional responses.  What local and global actions can be taken to reduce the stresses climate change has on economic, social, and political systems? How can security planners and actors address the threat of climate change on international security? What are the dangers of inaction and could an international climate regime contribute to reducing instability and conflict risks?

In honor of the European Union’s (EU) Climate Diplomacy Day, please join the Atlantic Council and the EU for a discussion exploring the critical dynamic between climate change and global security. An introduction will be delivered by H.E. David O’Sullivan, the Ambassador of the EU to the United States and keynote remarks will be provided by H.E. Gerard Araud, the Ambassador of France to the United States. Panelists include The Hon. Sharon Burke, Senior Adviser to the New America Foundation’s International Security Program, Tom Burke, Founding Director and Chairman of E3G, Third Generation Environmentalism, Major General Munir Muniruzzaman (Ret.), Chairman of the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change (GMACCC) and President and CEO of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), and Dennis Tänzler, Director of International Climate Policy at Adelphi.  The discussion will be moderated by Dan Chiu, Deputy Director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council.  Welcome remarks will be provided by The Hon. Richard Morningstar, Founding Director of the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center.

Register here to attend in person or here to watch live online.

Advanced Nuclear Energy and the Battle Against Climate Change
Date: June 17, 12:30pm
Location: Capitol Visitor Center, SVC-203, East Capitol St and First St NE, Washington DC

Nuclear energy was once regarded by many as the answer to our energy needs. That enthusiasm waned in the U.S. after the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. Today, there’s a growing interest in advanced nuclear energy and new reactor designs that are safer and more efficient. As Third Way’s Josh Freed details in his Brookings Essay, “Back to the Future,” a flood of young engineers and private firms are focusing on advanced nuclear energy as the best option for battling climate change. Freed also argues that if the U.S. doesn’t invest in these new technologies, other countries will lead the way in this game-changing field. The good news is that today there’s significant private investment and several dozen companies developing the technology.

On Wednesday, June 17, Brookings will gather four energy experts, including Freed, at the Senate Visitor’s Center to talk about the opportunities for advanced nuclear energy and the challenges posed both in the U.S. and abroad. The conversation will be moderated by Quartz Washington Correspondent Steve LeVine. A light lunch will be provided.

Register here.

Privacy and Security
Date: June 17, 12:30pm
Location: Goethe-Institut, 812 7^th Street NW, Washington DC

The AICGS Foreign & Domestic Policy Program; Goethe-Institut Washington; and the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier are pleased to invite you to the following seminar:

The Snowden revelations raise pointed questions in the United States and Germany about the future of privacy and security, particularly in light of our thoroughly networked and digitized age. A number of circumstances justify a focus on the American and German perspectives. America’s intelligence activities in Europe—and Germany in particular—have strained vital transatlantic partnerships in recent years. The different reactions to the so-called “NSA-Affäre” on opposite sides of the Atlantic have posed challenges to our assumptions about shared transatlantic values. As two of the most established—and respected—constitutional democracies, the newly-exposed differences regarding privacy in the United States and Germany present a unique opportunity for comparative constitutional reflection.

This lunch-time dialogue will feature David Cole (Hon. George J. Mitchell Professor in Law and Public Policy at the Georgetown University Law Center) and Russell Miller (Professor of Law at Washington & Lee University School of Law). Professor Cole is one of the most prominent American voices in the public and scholarly debates surrounding the on-going “war on terror.” He has commented extensively and published widely on the constitutional law and legislative frameworks relevant to the “NSA-Affäre.” Professor Miller is a leading commentator on and scholar of German constitutional law. He is currently a DAAD Research Fellow at the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) at Johns Hopkins.

Register here.

Russia’s Strategic Interest with the West
Date: June 17, 12:30pm
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

As Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine’s east continues to escalate, President Putin is cracking down on opposition leaders and human rights activists at home. The murder of Boris Nemtsov, the alleged poisoning of Vladimir Kara Murza are recent and tragic examples of mounting human rights violence.  Mikhail Khodorkovsky, one of Kremlin’s most prominent critics, has a broad set of experiences in Putin’s Russia and an extraordinary perspective on developments there, which he will share with us.

Prior to his arrest in 2003, Khodorkovsky was the head of Yukos, one of Russia’s largest oil producers, and an increasingly outspoken critic of corruption in Russia. Khodorkovsky was arrested, charged with fraud and tax evasion, and sentenced to nine years in prison, prolonged to eleven after the second trial. Khodorkovsky, who was declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was released in December 2013 prior to the Sochi Olympics. In 2014, Khodorkovsky relaunched Open Russia, a nongovernmental organization aiming to unite pro-European Russians to promote a strong civil society.

Register here to attend in person or here to watch live online.

Food Security in the Face of Climate Change
Date: June 17, 2:00pm
Location: World Resources Institute, 10 G Street NE, 6^th Floor Board Room, Washington DC

Join World Resources Institute for a discussion featuring the keynote presentation “Agricultural Research on Adaptation to Climate Change” by Dr. François Houllier, the President of INRA (the French National Institute for Agricultural Research).

A discussion on “Food Security in the Face of Climate Change” will follow the presentation.

Speakers include: Dr. François Houllier, President, l’Institut national de la recherche agronomique (INRA), Dr. Rob Bertram, Chief Scientist, Bureau for Food Security, U.S. Agency for International Development, Heather McGray, Director, Vulnerability & Adaptation, World Resources Institute, Dr. Keith Wiebe, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Tim Searchinger, Research Scholar, Princeton University and Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute (moderator).

Register here.

Subcommittee Hearing: China’s Rise: The Strategic Impact of Its Economic and Military Growth
Date: June 17, 2:00pm
Location: U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, 2200 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC

Chairman Salmon on the hearing: “The People’s Republic of China is at a turning point economically, politically, demographically, and militarily. Though China’s military buildup has been a decades-long affair, recent Chinese military developments under President Xi Jinping have been particularly disconcerting, especially as its advances threaten to diminish the United States’ role in the region. China is also embarking on massive trade, infrastructure, and investment initiatives, which are global in scope and driven by economic shifts at home. At the same time, China’s domestic profile is changing—its workforce is shrinking, its population is disproportionately aging, and the Xi regime restricts more and more personal and political freedoms. The Subcommittee must fully understand China’s current and future changes to fulfil its duty to oversee U.S.-China relations, particularly in light of increasing bilateral tensions, and in preparation for Chinese President Xi ‘s November state visit.”

Witnesses include: Derek M. Scissors, Ph.D., Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, Alison Kaufman, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist in the China Studies Division at the CNA Corporation, Mr. Jerome A. Cohen, Adjunct Senior Fellow for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Mr. Han Dongfang, Founder and Director of the China Labour Bulletin.

Watch live online here.

Subcommittee Hearing: The Iran, North Korea, and Syria Non-Proliferation Act: State Department’s Non-Compliance
Date: June 17, 2:00pm
Location: U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “The GAO’s latest report on the State Department’s non-compliance with the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act’s (INKSNA) reporting requirements is greatly alarming. INKSNA can be a powerful tool in helping curtail the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction but its effectiveness is diminished when State does not sanction individuals and make timely reports to Congress as required by law. State’s non-compliance calls into question which other sanctions provisions the administration has been blatantly ignoring during these misguided and dangerous nuclear negotiations with Iran and puts our national security at risk by increasing the potential for additional proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This hearing will provide our Members the opportunity to examine State’s reporting history in regards to INKSNA, the reasons State has delayed reporting, how to improve the process to ensure that reporting requirements are met, and what impact State’s delays have had on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

Watch live online here.

Cyber Risk Wednesday: Waging Cyber Conflict
Date: June 17, 4:00pm
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

We are still early into the age of cyber conflict and do not yet fully understand the dynamics of how nations and nonstate actors fight in cyberspace. Though there is a solid understanding at the tactical and technical levels of what happens between bits and bytes and particular adversary groups, the operational and strategic dynamics are often ignored. Failing to connect cyber conflict to larger strategic considerations leaves many central questions unanswered: How do cyber conflicts arise? How and by whom are they fought? Who wins and who loses? Is a country “winning” in cyberspace if it seizes more digital hilltops or if it wins the hearts and minds of digital natives around the globe?

To shed light on these questions and cyber operations and strategy beyond bits and bytes, this session brings together Jason Healey, the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative Senior Fellow and editor of the first-ever cyber history book A Fierce Domain: Conflict in Cyberspace, 1986-2012 (2013); Chris Inglis, US Naval Academy Distinguished Visiting Professor in Cyber Security Studies and former NSA Deputy Director; and Dr. Brandon Valeriano, Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and author of Cyber War versus Cyber Realities: Cyber Conflict in the International System (2015). The panel discussion will be moderated by Dr. Nora Bensahel, Distinguished Scholar in Residence at American University’s School of International Service.

Register here to attend in person or here to watch live online.

June 18, 2015

The Changing Sanctions Landscape: Past, Present, and Future
Date: June 18, 12:00pm
Location: Venable LLP, 575 7^th Street NW, Washington DC

Key developments in economic sanctions regimes over the last 18 months – spanning Cuba, Russia/Ukraine, and Iran, to cyber and beyond – have had a wide-ranging impact on businesses, and continue to raise a host of challenges for officials and industry players alike. Venable LLP and the Stimson Center invite you to a conversation about the practical implications of sanctions regimes. Industry experts, regulators, and practitioners will discuss how high policy is translated into concrete implementation measures, and how companies deal with the real-world fallout in their strategic and operational decision-making.

A light lunch will be served.

RSVP here.

Launch Event for the 2015 Fragile States Index
Date: June 18, 2:00pm
Location: United Nations Foundation, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

The Fragile States Index remains a leading tool that highlights current trends in social, economic and political pressures that affect all states, but can strain some beyond their capacity to cope. Apart from the impact on their people, fragile states present the international community with a variety of challenges.

Linking robust social science with modern technology, the Index is unique in its integration of quantitative data with qualitative data produced using content-analysis software to process information from millions of publicly available documents. The result is an empirically-based, comprehensive ranking of the pressures experienced by 178 countries. The Index is used by policy makers, civil society, academics, journalists and businesses around the world.

The event will include a presentation of the key findings of the 2015 Fragile States Index, as well as an expert discussion on fragile and conflict affected societies. The event will also include adequate opportunity for questions and comment.

Dress code is business or business-casual attire.

Register here.

Fighting Terrorism in the Age of ISIS
Date: June 18, 5:00pm
Location: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington DC

Please join the Smart Women, Smart Power initiative for a discussion of “Fighting Terrorism in the Age of ISIS” with Fran Townsend, former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Adviser to President George W. Bush. The Islamic State, known as ISIS, ISIL or Da’esh, now controls territory in the Middle East that’s nearly the size of Belgium and is pushing into North Africa. It continues to recruit fighters to the cause, including some from Western Europe and a small number from the U.S. Ms. Townsend will offer insights on protecting the homeland and countering the threat.

Register here.

June 19, 2015

President Rousseff’s Visit: Photo-Op or a New Era for the US and Brazil?
Date: June 19, 9:00am
Location: Atlantic Council, 1030 15^th Street NW, 12^th Floor, West Tower, Washington DC

President Dilma Rousseff’s June 30 visit to the United States comes amid significant transformations in Brazil and in US-Latin American relations overall. Dilma is looking for big wins while the United States sees a moment to jumpstart relations with a hemispheric leader. Will this lay the foundation for moving from working-level collaboration to bold, far-reaching cooperation? How would a significant agreement on an issue like innovation be a catalyst for economic opportunity in both countries?

Join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and the Brazil-US Business Council for a preview of the visit with top decision-makers in the bilateral agenda. The Arsht Center will launch its latest Brazil report, US-Brazil Relations: A New Beginning? How to Strengthen the Bilateral Agenda, in which our senior nonresident Brazil fellow, Ricardo Sennes, proposes specific ways to advance cooperation in investment, trade, education, and technology and innovation.

Register here to attend in person or here to watch live online.

The Next Generation of Korea Experts: The Young and the Brave
Date: June 19, 10:00am
Location: Brookings Institution, Saul/ Zilkha Room, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

Young scholars and practitioners have much to contribute to the policy debate about the Korean peninsula. They offer fresh perspectives on how the Koreas are analyzed, and introduce new information that prompts different ways of thinking about the Koreas. Moreover, young experts’ views will become critical to shaping future-oriented policies toward the Koreas.

On June 19, the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at Brookings will host a conference featuring presentations by the youngest generation of Korea specialists. Young scholars and practitioners will gather to discuss the different generational attitudes toward Korea policy, present their perspectives on persistent regional and international policy challenges, and offer new strategies and analyses on peninsular issues through information flows and technology.

Lunch will be provided to conference guests.

Register here.

May 11, 2015

The Future of Iraq: A Conversation with Sunni Leaders
Date: May 11, 9:00 am
Location: Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Wahsington DC

A significant victory against ISIS in Iraq will require meaningful reconciliation between Iraq’s warring communities. The greatest unknown is Iraq’s Sunni population. Their isolation from the Iraqi political system, stemming from the divisive policies of the previous Iraqi government, opened the door to ISIS’s return to Iraq and lies at the heart of this new Iraqi civil war. If Iraq is to achieve peace again and remain a unified state, one of the most important questions is how to bring Iraq’s Sunnis back into the fold.

On Monday, May 11, the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution will host a conversation with two key Sunni leaders from Iraq. Rafe al-Issawi served as deputy prime minister and minister of finance under former Prime Minister Maliki, and is one of the most prominent Sunni leaders from Anbar province; Atheel al-Nujayfi is the governor of Ninewah Province and one of the most prominent Sunni leaders from Mosul. These leading Sunni officials will discuss the future of Iraq with moderator and Brookings Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack. They will explore the Sunni role in leading Iraq going forward, Sunni concerns about marginalization, and what role the United States might play in this delicate but vital process.

Register here.

U.S. Strategy for Civil and Military Space
Date: May 11, 10:00 am
Location: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2^nd Floor Conference Room, 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington DC

Sean O’Keefe, former Administrator of NASA, and General James Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will have an easy chair discussion moderated by Dr. John Hamre, President and CEO of CSIS, on U.S. strategy for civil and military space. The discussion will focus on new challenges the U.S. faces in maintaining its strategic advantage in space, and the implications of privatization for the future of U.S. leadership and innovation in civil space.

Register here.

State of the Cybersecurity Union: A Discussion with Admiral Michael Rogers
Date: May 11, 10:30 am
Location: Homeland Security Policy Institute, Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21^st Street NW, Washington DC

The Center for Cyber & Homeland Security (CCHS) at the George Washington University invites you to a discussion on the “State of the Cybersecurity Union” with Admiral Michael S. Rogers, U.S. Navy; Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Director, National Security Agency; Chief, Central Security Service.

At the event, Admiral Rogers will provide an overview of the current state of cybersecurity threats to the United States, and will discuss what U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency are doing to address them, in light of the new Department of Defense cybersecurity strategy released earlier this month.  Admiral Rogers’ initial remarks will be followed by a moderated discussion with CCHS Director Frank Cilluffo and Q&A with members of the audience.

Register here.

Russia’s Thorn in Europe’s Side: Kaliningrad, NATO, and the EU
Date: May 11, 11:00 am
Location: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 5^th Floor Conference Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC

After Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and the West’s introduction of economic sanctions, the Kaliningrad region has become a source of tension between Russia, NATO, and the EU. The region has staged tit-for-tat military displays by both Russia and neighboring EU and NATO members Poland and Lithuania. But while Russia is eager to project the image of Kaliningrad as a military stronghold and buffer against NATO expansionism, Kaliningrad’s real threat to European stability stems from its vulnerable exclave status and unclear economic relationship with the EU. This talk will outline the region’s curious history, focusing on recent years when Kaliningrad has served both as a military outpost and a cultural bridge between Russia and Europe.

RSVP here.

May 12, 2015

After a Nuclear Agreement: Whither Arab-Iranian and U.S.-GCC Relations?
Date: May 12, 8:30 am
Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-369, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC

On May 12, 2015, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, the West Asia Council, and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee are hosting a public affairs briefing titled “After a Nuclear Agreement: Whither Arab-Iranian and U.S.-GCC Relations?” Featured specialists include:

• Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President and CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; Member, U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy and Subcommittee on Sanctions; Author, “Strategic Dynamics of Iran-GCC Relations”;
• Dr. Christian Koch, Director, Gulf Research Center Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland); former Director of International Studies, Gulf Research Center (Dubai, UAE);
• Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, President, SVB Energy International; Author, The Marketing and Sale of Iranian Export Crude Oil Since the Islamic Revolution;
• Dr. Thomas Mattair, Executive Director, Middle East Policy Council; Author,The Three Occupied UAE Islands: The Tunbs and Abu Musa and Global Security Watch – Iran: A Reference Handbook;
• Dr. Alidad Mafinezam, President, West Asia Council; Author, Iran and Its Place Among Nations; and
• Dr. Imad Harb, Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; former Senior Researcher in Strategic Studies, Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Mr. John Pratt, Member, Board of Directors, and Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and former Chairman, Middle East Council of the American Chambers of Commerce, will serve as moderator.

RSVP here.

Central Asia in a Reconnecting Eurasia: U.S. Policy Interests and Recommendations
Date: May 12, 9:00 am
Location: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2^nd Floor Conference Room, 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington DC

In January 2014 the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program launched the Eurasia Initiative. The first fruits of this project include a series of reports on Central Asia in a Reconnecting Eurasia. The decision to initiate these activities with Central Asia stemmed from a concern that the drawdown of U.S. and allied troops from Afghanistan would augur declining U.S. interest. For U.S. policymakers, turning away from Central Asia now would be a serious miscalculation. The five states of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) are located at the heart of the Eurasian landmass, in close proximity to four of Washington’s biggest foreign policy challenges: Afghanistan/Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and China. For that reason alone, the United States has a strong interest in developing economic and security ties with the states of Central Asia, and doing so in a way that is no longer driven by the exigencies of the war in Afghanistan, but is responsive to the needs and interests of the region itself, as well as enduring U.S. interests.

Register here.

Meeting China Halfway: How to Defuse the Emerging U.S.-China Rivalry
Date: May 12, 10:00 am
Location: Brookings Institution, Saul/Zilkha Room, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

The prospect of a lasting U.S.-China security rivalry preoccupies policy makers and scholars alike.  In a major new volume, “Meeting China Halfway: How to Defuse the Emerging U.S.-China Rivalry” (Georgetown University Press, 2015),  Lyle Goldstein of the U.S. Naval War College contends that both countries have failed to pursue creative approaches that could limit the potential for such rivalry and enable a more cooperative global and regional future.  Drawing on a wide array of Chinese sources and on the history of Sino-American relations over the past two centuries, Professor Goldstein proposes ten “cooperation spirals” that would enable lasting accommodation between both countries.

By exploring the possibilities of defusing long-standing geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, Professor Goldstein contends that future Sino-American relations can diverge significantly from widely held assessments in international relations theory and in foreign policy circles. His remarks will be followed by commentaries from two prominent U.S. policy practitioners and questions from the audience.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Register here.

Clear and Present Danger: Confronting the Cyber Threat from Russia and China
Date: May 12, 10:30 am
Location: Hudson Institute, 1015 15^th Street NW, 6^th Floor, Washington DC

In early April, Russian cyber hackers penetrated unclassified networks at the White House and seized the Secret Service’s daily schedule for the president. Less than a week later, U.S. cybersecurity firm FireEye revealed that Chinese hackers have waged a decade-long cyber espionage campaign across South East Asia. Current and former FBIdirectors have expressed certainty that all large companies have been hacked by the Chinese and all of the White House networks have been infiltrated by Russian and Chinese hackers.

Every month brings alarming evidence that Russia and China are expanding their cyberattacks in the U.S. and throughout the world, particularly in Asia. On May 12th, former Congressman Mike Rogers, past chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and current Hudson distinguished fellow, will join Senior Fellow Arthur Herman for a conversation on the scope of the threat and how the U.S. should respond.

As member and then chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Mike Rogers has followed America’s cyberwar with China and Russia for more than a decade. Arthur Herman, author of Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II, has written several articles on cyberwarfare and cyber strategy.

Register here.

Economic Interdependence and War
Date: May 12, 12:00 pm
Location: CATO Institute, Hayek Auditorium, 1000 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC

Debates over economic interdependence and war are centuries old. Liberals have argued that interdependence creates interests on both sides of dyads that help prevent war. Realists have argued that the “high politics” of war and peace are rarely driven by the “low politics” of commerce. Dale Copeland’s new book offers a more supple, less categorical judgment. According to Copeland, leaders’ expectations of the future trade environment determine how economic interdependence influences the prospects of war and peace. Please join us for a discussion with other leading scholars on the subject—one that carries heavy implications for the future of U.S.-China relations, in particular.

Register here.

A Step Towards Justice: Current Accountability Options for Crimes Under International Law Committed in Syria
Date: May 12, 2:00 pm
Location: American Bar Association, 1050 Connecticut Ave #400, Washington DC

As the Syrian conflict continues with no end in sight, both Syrians and the international community have called for the establishment of mechanisms tohold perpetrators of atrocities accountable, deter war crimes and human rights abuses, and achieve justice for victims. However, while certain mechanisms may be available in theory, they may not be feasible or desirable options in the current context due to the potentially harmful impacts they may have on long term prospects for Syria’s transitional justice and accountability process.

To examine such options, the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) and the Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights have collaborated on a report that explores the current feasibility and potential impacts of international, hybrid, and foreign accountability options for Syria. The report also outlines ethical and practical challenges of pursuing these options prior to the end of the conflict. The analysis is particularly relevant regarding jurisdictions that are seeking to use their domestic law or international legal principles to prosecute alleged perpetrators located in Syria and abroad.

The report, A Step towards Justice: Current Accountability Options for Crimes Under International Law Committed in Syria, provides valuable perspectives for Syrians, justice practitioners, and the policy community. A panel discussion, hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA) Center for Human Rights, will delve into practical implications and considerations of pursuing justice options now.

Register here.

Human Rights and North Korea’s Overseas Laborers: Dilemmas and Policy Changes
Date: May 12, 2:00 pm
Location: Korea Economic Institute, 1800 K Street NW, Washington DC

For more than 70 years, the North Korean state has been exporting its laborers overseas in an effort to secure ample amounts of foreign currency for its nuclear and missile development programs. As a result, thousands of North Korean laborers work excessive hours, in dangerous conditions, and only receive a fraction of their legal salaries. Therefore it is imperative that this issue is brought to the attention of the international community in order to bring more light to the issue by providing new facts and professional analysis.

With this goal in mind, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) and the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) are co-hosting a conference on the human rights conditions of North Korean laborers. NKDB researchers, KEI staff and other prominent North Korean and human rights specialists will gather together for presentation and discussion of the severe labor rights and basic human rights violations faced by North Korean laborers overseas. Additional information will be provided by a North Korean defector, who worked for about 2 years overseas, and will share his witness testimony with the audience.

RSVP here.

Minsk: Between East and West
Date: May 12, 6:00 pm
Location: German Marshall Fund, 1744 R Street NW, Washington DC

Situated to the North of Ukraine and sandwiched between the EU and Russia, Belarus has long felt pressures from Moscow. The survival of Alexander Lukashenko’s dictatorship and questions surrounding Belarus’ relative political independence are central to government actions and civil society efforts over the coming years. After the failure of the first Minsk Protocol in September, Belarus once again hosted a four-way peace summit in which the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany agreed to a package of measures in order to alleviate fighting in the Donbas region of Ukraine. As a result of the Minsk peace summit, Belarus has experienced a modest increase in international recognition. However, Belarus continues to face internal challenges including political suppression and growing economic inequality, as a product of an ever repressive political regime. How will Minsk reconcile its new international attention with continuing social, economic, and political threats? How will Minsk’s relationship with the European Union affect its historical relationship with Moscow?  What does the Ukrainian crisis mean for Belarus’ security priorities?

May 13, 2015

Peacebuilding and Democracy in a Turbulent World
Date: May 13, 9:00 am
Location: United States Institute of Peace

iFarm Pakistan: Food Security, Innovation, and Commercialization
Date: May 13, 9:30 am
Location: Atlantic Council

Before and After Dayton: Bosnia’s Past and Its European Future
Date: May 13, 10:00 am
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

May 14, 2015

Putin’s Russia: How it Rose, How it is Maintained, and How it Might End
Date: May 14, 9:15 am
Location: American Enterprise Institute

Workshop on Intersection of Radiological Security and Public Health
Date: May 14, 1:30 pm
Location: James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and Stanley Foundation

Wake Up, Pakistan
Date: May 14, 3:00 pm
Location: The Century Foundation

Cybersecurity for Small Businesses II
Date: May 14, 4:00 pm
Location: Washington Network Group

May 15, 2015

Internal Displacement in Ukraine: Assessing the National Response
Date: May 15, 10:00 am
Location: Brookings Institution

Threats to the U.S. Energy Renaissance
Date: May 15, 12:00 pm
Location: Cato Institute