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After an unprecedented year of elections, new leaders around the globe who have promised change will be expected to deliver in 2025. The world will also be coming to terms with the outcome of America’s elections in November and the implications for global security, trade, and climate policy. New alliances are forming, and old ones are fraying in an increasingly tense and dangerous world. But the adoption of green tech continues to outpace the most optimistic forecasts, even as concerns grow over artificial intelligence and its voracious appetite for chips, energy, water, and data. Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and editor of The World Ahead 2025, will consider these and other trends and their implications for geopolitics, business, and culture in the coming year.
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Mark Reese began his thirty-year career in Central Asia as the first Peace Corps volunteer to serve in Kokand, Uzbekistan, from 1994-1996. Through the University of Washington, he subsequently established and managed a Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program centered around Islamic studies and curricula reform in Uzbekistan through the Department of State’s Uzbekistan Partnership Program in Islamic Studies. Mr. Reese managed translation and cultural advisement task orders for a broad spectrum of government and private industry clients.
Over seven years, he conducted groundbreaking work through dynamic educational program development as Founding Director for the Center for Regional Studies at the United States Naval Academy. His flagship work surrounds his translation of Abdullah Qodiriy’s O’tkan Kunlar, the first full-length novel in the Uzbek language. For his efforts, the Republic of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev awarded Mr. Reese the Presidential Order of Do’stlik for furthering awareness of the Uzbek language and culture.
In 2023, he was awarded the Tourism Fo’ydasi for developing tourism content in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. As CEO of Suhbat LLC, Mark is currently engaged in strategic communications and cultural program development for a variety of clients in Central Asia. -
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The dialog between the President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of America (WACA), Matthew Hughes, and Hon. Karl Dean, will verse around the importance of WACA and all 90 World Affairs Council in engaging the public and leaders in global affairs in an age of rapidly shifting international order. At the center of the discussion will be the impact of WACA in informing and educating students about global professional opportunities and the importance for them to understand different corporate cultures.
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Moderated by Chinese journalism expert Jeremy Goldkorn, this in-depth discussion with James Siebens (Fellow, Stimson Center's Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy program) explored how China leverages armed coercion to achieve its goals without direct conflict.
This session is essential for anyone interested in global security, international relations, and current geopolitical dynamics. -
The Middle East is at a hinge moment. The old order is collapsing, and a new one has yet to emerge. While the region’s tectonic shifts predate Hamas’s terror attack on Oct. 7, the ensuing conflict in Gaza and its reverberations across the region are the crucible in which the new contours of the Middle East will take shape. USIP's Mona Yacoubian will provide insights on the regional flashpoints that have erupted in the wake of the Gaza conflict as well as the broader implications for a region in a state of enormous flux.
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Do you wonder what jobs and careers there are in international affairs? There’s more than you think. Every Fall and Spring the World Affairs Council assembles diplomats, business people, NGO officials, returned Peace Corps volunteers and more to talk about their experiences and insights and to answer your questions at this very popular panel.
The ICP will feature four panelists from different professions sharing hard to come by information on working in multicultural societies. This is a special opportunity to listen to distinguished professionals’ experiences and insights and to discuss: preparation and transition from colleges to careers including the tools; skills and competencies needed to enter the profession; the upsides and downsides of working in those jobs and internship opportunities in their organizations. The panel is aimed for college students, high school students and young professionals but they're open to everyone including TNWAC members and partner institutions around Tennessee. -
This discussion will focus on Chinese engagements in Africa and Latin America, and the implications for US strategic relations and interests. Tugendhat will give opening remarks based on the view from Washington, the view from Beijing, and common views among many Global South capitals around these significant engagements. This will then lead into a series of questions and answers with the moderator and audience.
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Hard to come by insights and perspectives from Distinguished Professor of History Thomas Schwartz and moderator, Dr. Breck Walker.
At the beginning of the Cold War, Republican Senator Arthur Vandenberg announced his support for Democratic President Harry Truman’s Marshall Plan for Europe by proclaiming that “Politics stops at the water’s edge.” In more recent times, however, American domestic politics appears to have had a strong effect on foreign policy, particularly in election years. In this webinar, we will discuss the potential impact of America’s election year politics on the important issues of foreign policy, including the Middle East, Ukraine, and China. -
Ambassador William Taylor, former US Ambassador to Ukraine, talked to a TNWAC Global Town Hall in Nashville on November 29, 2023 about the war in Ukraine. The session was moderated by Vanderbilt University Distinguished History Dr. Thomas Schwartz. They covered the background and context of the fight over Ukraine as well as the current situations and issues and the role of the United States and the West.
Ambassador William B. Taylor is vice president, Europe and Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace. In 2019, he served as chargé d’affaires at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv and as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 to 2009. During the Arab Spring, he oversaw U.S. assistance and support to Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Syria. He served in Jerusalem as the U.S. government’s representative to the Mideast Quartet. He served in Kabul in 2002 and in Baghdad in 2004.
In the 1990s, Ambassador Taylor coordinated U.S. assistance to the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. He earlier served on the staff of Senator Bill Bradley.
Ambassador Taylor is a graduate of West Point and Harvard’s Kennedy School and served as an infantry platoon leader and combat company commander in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and Germany. -
On the anniversary of the launch of ChatGPT, TNWAC's Global Dialogue featured Paul Maguire, co-founder and CEO of Knowmadics and entrepreneur and technical innovator. TNWAC President Emeritus Patrick Ryan and Maguire talked about the evolution of AI leading to the current boom in AI technologies; democratization of data access through Open AI models and the warnings about damage that can be caused by malicious use of AI. Is the emergence of AI into mainstream technological uses another "Oppenheimer moment", where technologies that provide great benefit can also pose great risks. They discussed the global competition for AI dominance coupled with great power competition between the United States and China and other American adversaries. They concluded with comments on industry developments like the CEO shakeup at ChatGPT.Paul Maguire is CEO and Co-Founder of Knowmadics, Inc, an innovative solutions provider. A serial entrepreneur, Mr. Maguire co-founded Knowmadics with Claire Ostrum in 2013, where he continues his track record of growing small businesses to successful acquisition. Prior to Knowmadics, Mr. Maguire served as President of Ultra Electronics ProLogic, where he managed the integration of small government IT contractor ProLogic following its 2008 acquisition by Ultra Electronics, as well as two other acquisitions worth a combined $128M. He had earlier served as ProLogicâs Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, driving the companyâs growth from $1.7 million to $50 million+ over seven years, and ultimately leading to its acquisition. Mr. Maguire previously worked at Autometric as a project, program, and product line manager with both P&L management and sales target responsibilities. His product led Autometricâs 33% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over seven years, which led to Autometric being acquired by the Boeing Company in 2000. Mr. Maguire has more than 12 years of Board experience, and currently sits on the Boards of Knowmadics and professional services firm Markon Solutions. He frequently speaks as a subject matter expert on the uses of commercial technology at the United States Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security events, and at international conferences on Security and Counter Terrorism. Mr. Maguire holds multiple patents and is the principal author of two U.S. Military Remote Sensing User Guides for Multi-spectral Imagery. He also served for eight years in the U.S. Navy, including as an Iraqi Analyst during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
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Oct 3, 2023 | Watch this important Town Hall conversation from the Tennessee World Affairs Council's distinguished visiting speaker program. Daniel Runde talks about the competition with China and disruption from Russia in shaping American influence in the world and who gets to set global rules.
“We’re at a moment in this period of great power competition, whether or not you want to call it a second Cold War, where the national security imperatives of dealing with a resurgent China and a disruptor in Russia require us to go back to the drawing board on our soft power instruments to respond to this new challenge.” — Daniel F. Runde
DANIEL RUNDE. Center for Strategic and International Studies Senior Vice President; William A. Schreyer Chair; Director, Project on Prosperity and Development and Author of “American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership Through Soft Power”
DR. AMY SAYWARD. Moderator. Executive Director, The Society of Historians of American Foreign Relations (SHAFR)
Professor of History, Middle Tennessee State University -
GNKD host, former Nashville Mayor and TNWAC Board Chair Karl Dean talks with Andy Moats, Executive Vice-President, Director of Music, Sports, & Entertainment Pinnacle Financial Partners. The wide ranging conversation covered Andy's professional experiences in music -- from touring with a rock band to leadership in music banking; to directing financial services for entertainers and sports figures. His passions and pursuits include fast cars and his role in bringing Grand Prix racing to Nashville. There's much more to this story.You won't want to miss this story about a Nashville native who has been key to many of the special aspects that make Nashville a global city.TNWAC wishes to thank Pinnacle Financial Partners for support to the Council and the goal of bringing global affairs awareness programs to the community.Recorded: Sep 25, 2023 | RT 30:10BioAndy Moats, 46, is a Nashville native whose background combines restaurants, music, racing, and creating a bank. After graduating from Vanderbilt University (Economics, 1999) Andy took time to pursue his passion for music, touring and supporting a multi-platinum rock band during the year 2000. Having played in various bands from an early age, his days performing may be over but his passion for music has helped to grow one of the largest music and entertainment focused banks in the country.In 2001, Andy began his banking career at Union Planters Bank then-turned Regions Bank, rising to the role of Commercial Real Estate Credit Manager with credit responsibility for all real estate loan activity in the Southeast. While pursuing his career path in banking, Andy was also heavily involved in his familyâs NASCAR business â Brewco Motorsports (#27, #37, #66) â and various family restaurant companies.In 2006, Andy co-founded what would become Avenue Bank. While at Avenue, as a member of the Bankâs Executive Team Andy served the dual roles of Chief Credit Officer â managing all aspects of lending and credit - and Bank Group Director, which included leadership of Avenue's retail branch network, business banking division, private banking division, and music & entertainment division. In February of 2015, Andy and team embarked on their first public company âroad showâ and successfully took Avenue Bank public on the Nasdaq Exchange (ticker symbol: AVNU).In July of 2016, Avenue Bank merged with Nashville based Pinnacle Financial Partners to form one of the Top 50 largest Banks in the United States. Andy joined the leadership team of Pinnacle following the merger and currently serves in the role of Executive Vice President, Director of Music, Sports, & Entertainment. In this role, Andy develops and manages $2B in entertainment related accounts with clients including artists, songwriters, international label and publishing businesses, touring, athletes, and professional sports franchises, among others. Outside of Banking, Andy is a founder and partner of the Music City Grand Prix, an IndyCar race televised in over 180 countries attracting over 100,000 fans each year. Other pursuits include film (Executive Producer - Murder at Yellowstone City) and early-stage company development and investment.Andyâs community involvement and accolades include: Exchange Club Family Center, former Chairman of the Board; founding member of Nashville Emerging Leaders; Montgomery Bell Academy Alumni Board; M Street Entertainment Advisory Board; Leadership Music Class of 2014; Nashville Film Festival Music Committee; The Tennesseanâs âNext Upâ; Nashville Business Journalâs â40 under 40â; Billboard Magazineâs 2020, 2021, and 2022 Nashville âPower Playersâ, Music Publishing âDealmakersâ, and 2022/2023 all-industry âPower 100â ranking the music industries 100 most powerful players; Tennessee Entertainment Commission Board (Governor Appointed); Pet Community Center Board; Nashville Entrepreneur Center Board.
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“Oppenheimer”: What Does The Story Tell Us About Existential Threats Then and Now with Dr. Rachel Bronson | August 16, 2023
A conversation about this summer's blockbuster biopic "Oppenheimer" and the consequences of powerful technologies that provide opportunity and peril to humanity. Dr. Bronson talked with TNWAC president emeritus Patrick Ryan about the movie, the role of The Bulletin and the modern threats posed by technology.
Dr. Rachel Bronson is president and CEO of The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (TheBulletin.org)
Read Dr. Bronson's op-ed: https://tinyurl.com/ycye2x29
Read about the Tularosa Downwinders (those affected by the Trinity atomic test) https://www.trinitydownwinders.com
Read Dr. Bronson's bio: https://thebulletin.org/biography/rac...
The Bulletin keeps track of the “Doomsday Clock,” and every January reminds us how close we are to midnight. This year the clock ticked closer. "A time of unprecedented danger: It is 90 seconds to midnight," January 2023 “Doomsday Clock” Statement -
American diplomat and businessman talks about AI as a challenge for the US-EU
The challenges and promises of AI have exploded this year in the wake of OpenAI’s release of its detailed, human-like responsive ChatGPT conversational technology. It highlighted the power and problems posed by AI, from business potential like insights and predictive analysis to startling concerns of existential threats to humanity. TNWAC has invited Ambassador John Kornblum to talk about these challenges in the context of implications for the United States and Europe.
Kornblum, a former senior U.S. diplomatic official in Europe and distinguished businessman, has said that the currency of the new world will be the production, evaluation, and application of data – a revolution of fundamental importance to the US and EU. The “massive” consequences of this new digital era necessitate that “correct values are part of the process from the beginning” to ensure the revolution is based on Western democratic concepts. -
Ambassador John Kornblum, among the most knowledgeable American diplomats on US-Europe and US-Russia relations has anchored TNWAC's series "In Focus: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine." In this edition he discusses the current situation, a view of Moscow, the longer-range picture for US interests in Europe and the relationship with Russia, as well as the China factor in the Ukraine War.
Ambassador John C. Kornblum has a long record of service in the United States and Europe both as a diplomat and as a businessman. He is recognized as an eminent expert on U.S.-European political and economic relations, in particular in Central and Eastern Europe. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 1997 to 2001. Before that, he occupied a number of high-level diplomatic posts, including U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European affairs, Special Envoy for the Dayton Peace Process, U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Process), Deputy U.S. Ambassador to NATO, and U.S. minister and deputy commandant of forces in divided Berlin. -
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The Tennessee World Affairs Council (TNWAC.org) presents our April 27, 2023 conversation with Deputy Director of the State Department Office of Russia Affairs Liz Zentos about the view from Foggy Bottom as part of our special series, "In Focus: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine."
Watch this important conversation about U.S.-Russia relations, diplomatic activity during the months ahead of invasion, policy objectives, Vladimir Putin and his designs on Ukraine and the impact of dealing with an accused war criminal, China's role, detained Americans in Russia, cooperation among allies, the damage to the international rules based order and more.
Liz Zentos
Deputy Director of the Office of Russian Affairs at the U.S. State Department
Liz Zentos is currently the Deputy Director of the Office of Russian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. From 2020 to 2021, she served as the Deputy Political Counselor at U.S. Embassy Kabul. Prior to that, she served as Political and Economic Affairs Chief at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi from 2018 to 2020 and as External Affairs Chief at U.S. Embassy Moscow from 2017 to 2018, when the Russian government declared her persona non grata. From 2015 to 2016, Liz served as the Director for Eastern Europe at the U.S. National Security Council, where she covered Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and the OSCE. From 2012 to 2014, she served as Political Military Chief at U.S. Embassy Kyiv, where she covered Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution, Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea, and Russia’s first invasion of eastern Ukraine. Other previous assignments include Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for International Security and Arms Control, Ukraine Desk Officer, and Information Officer in Yerevan, Armenia. Liz speaks Russian and has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. -
On April 19, 2023 TNWAC hosted a seminar featuring women from a variety of national security disciplines to discuss their career paths, experiences and ups and downs of working in the field.
Moderator: Deborah Monroe | Senior Defense Intelligence Officer (Ret)
Leila Gardner | Assistant Director of Intelligence for Information, Headquarters USMC & USN Reserve Intelligence Officer
Safa Shahwan Edwards | Deputy Director of Cyber Statecraft, Atlantic Council
Maureen Page | Research Director, Defense Intelligence Agency
Complete bios at TNWAC.org -
What's it like working in the world?
TNWAC hosts a seminar featuring professionals from a variety of occupations to discuss their career paths, experiences and ups and downs of working in international jobs.
Dr. Gretchen Neisler - Moderator - University of Tennessee Vice Provost for International Affairs, Director, Center for Global Engagement; Member of Board of Directors, Tennessee World Affairs Council
Terrance Fluker – U.S. Peace Corps, Tennessee Regional Recruiter
Saúl Hernández – U.S. State Dept. Foreign Service Officer and Southeast Diplomat in Residence
Sabrina Miller – SVP, Pinnacle Financial Partners, former Foreign Exchange Manager
Rachel Bowen Pittman – Executive Director, United Nations Association, USA
April 12, 2023 -
TNWAC had the honor of talking with Her Excellency Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to the United States in January. TNWAC President Patrick Ryan spoke with her about the business interests connecting Ireland and Tennessee and the wider United States, political developments in Ireland and the European Union and the special relationship between Ireland and the United States and the historical connections to Tennessee.
Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason assumed her role as Ireland’s 19th Ambassador to the United States in August 2022. Geraldine was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York (2017- 22). Previously, she served as Ambassador to France (2014-17), Second Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) (2011-14), Ambassador and Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU (2005-11)), and Director of the National Forum on Europe (2004-05).
During her career, Ambassador Byrne Nason has served in Brussels, New York, Paris, Vienna and Helsinki. As Second Secretary-General in the Department of the Taoiseach from 2011-2014, she was the highest ranking female public servant in Ireland. During that period, she also was Secretary General of Ireland’s Economic Management Council.
On her arrival in New York, Ambassador Byrne Nason led Ireland’s successful campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, and led the New York Security Council team for the 2021-2022 term. Geraldine was Chair of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for 2018 and 2019. She has also co-chaired high-level political negotiations on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela and on the ‘Samoa pathway’ for Small Island Developing States.
A native of County Louth, in 2020 Ambassador Byrne Nason was awarded the Freedom of Drogheda, the town’s highest honour and was the third woman to receive the award of its 35 recipients. In 2014, Geraldine was elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, Ireland’s highest academic honour. Ambassador Byrne Nason holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Maynooth University as well as Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Literature from Saint Patrick’s College in Maynooth (NUIM). Ambassador Byrne Nason is married and has one son. - Mehr anzeigen
