State of the World

The World in Context | Ambassador Charles Shapiro (Ret.)

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0500

Ambassador Charles Shapiro (Ret.), former Ambassador to Venezuela and President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta, recaps 2021 with Council CEO, Megan Torrey. The world and its politics are constantly in flux, and looking back, some of the most destabilizing events seem to arrive unannounced. And as these critical moments unfold, it's important for our national and local communities to stay engaged with what's happening outside our borders. So what is the current state of the world as we consider the past year and look forward to 2022? And why are local organizations like World Affairs Councils so important in our history and future?

Follow Ambassador Shapiro on Twitter at @shapiro_WAC.

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Refugee Resettlement & the Afghanistan Crisis

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 19:00:00 -0500

Chris George, Executive Director at Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services, joins Council CEO Megan Torrey to discuss the Afghan refugee crisis and the United States’ refugee resettlement infrastructure. We know that the pursuit of safety is a major reason people leave their home countries. But what happens when families and individuals arrive in the United States for refugee resettlement? And how can we build resilient refugee infrastructure from the top down to better serve these communities?

Follow IRIS on Twitter at @irisct and see how you can support refugee resettlement at www.irisct.org.

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Global Resilience & Sustainability | Andrew Zolli

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Andrew Zolli, Chief Impact Officer at Planet, speaks to Council CEO Megan Torrey about what causes our local and global communities to remain resilient in the face of adversity. We know that the pandemic has disrupted our patterns, lifestyles, institutions and more. But this is far from the first crisis communities around the world have faced. So how do systems and people maintain their capacity to recover from adversity? And what is the connection between resiliency and sustainability?

Follow Andrew Zolli on Twitter @andrew_zolli and check out his book, Resilience: Why Things Bounce Back.

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The New Space Race | UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology, H.E. Sarah Al Amiri

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0400

The United Arab Emirates recently joined the small group of nations to have successfully launched a spacecraft to Mars, further proving space is the new domain for international cooperation—or competition.

On this episode, we speak with the woman who led the UAE's successful mission to Mars, and one of the world's rising stars in space and technology: H.E. Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri.

She is the nation's first-ever Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency.

H.E. Minister Al Amiri talks with us about those yet-to-be answered questions in the emerging space domain—from opportunities for technological innovation and global peacebuilding, to what it means for national security—and beyond.

This event is sponsored by Raytheon Technologies

Hosted in partnership with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and the World Affairs Councils of America.

Global Security Forum | Special Highlights Episode

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0400

General Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Farah Pandith, first ever Special Representative to Muslim communities, David Sanger, NYTimes National Security and Cyber expert, and many more leaders in global security are featured in this special highlights episode. Tickets for the Council's annual Global Security Forum go on sale this week, so we’re bringing you some of our favorite discussions from past forums, with topics ranging from artificial intelligence to China’s future global role.

Reserve your tickets and learn more about the Forum at www.gsf2021.com | Members-only presale opens Wed., July 7 and General Admission ticket open Sat., July 10.

Not a member? Join the World Affairs Council of Connecticut today to get early access to Global Security Forum and other member benefits
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Israel’s New Era? | Ambassador Meron Reuben

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0400

Ambassador Meron Reuben, Consul General of Israel to New England speaks to Council CEO Megan Torrey about Israel’s new government and the country’s post-Netanyahu future. For the first time in 12 years, Israel has a new prime minister. The new coalition government is led by Naftali Bennet, who claims this will be a “government of change.” Meanwhile, former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that he and his party would be back. Is Israel really entering a new era? How will this new coalition government fare in the country and region?

This event was in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Hartford and the Consulate General of Israel to New England.

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The Storm Before the Calm | George Friedman, Ph.D.

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 13:00:00 -0400

George Friedman, Ph.D., chairman of Geopolitical Futures and author of The Storm Before the Calm, sits down with Council CEO Megan Torrey about his geopolitical predictions of the next decade. Dr. Friedman had predicted that the 2020s would be a period of dramatic upheaval and reshaping of American government, policy and culture. Can we predict current and future events based on historical patterns? And is this period really the “storm before the calm"?

Check out Dr. George Friedman's recent book, The Storm Before the Calm: America's Discord, the Coming Crisis of the 2020s, and the Triumph Beyond.

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The Russian Challenge | Fiona Hill, Ph.D.

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 12:00:00 -0400

Fiona Hill, senior fellow at Brookings, and former deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council, is interviewed by Council CEO Megan Torrey on the state of U.S.-Russia relations. This month, President Biden and President Putin will meet for the first time since the Biden Administration took office. What's at stake for this historic summit? Can these two global powerhouses live in harmony?

This conversation was sponsored by Hoffman Auto Group.

Check out Fiona Hill's upcoming book, There Is Nothing for You Here, which will be released later this year.

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The Rise and Fall of the Super League | Stefan Szymanski, Ph.D. & Harry Watling

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -0400

Dr. Stefan Szymanski, Stephen J. Galetti Professor of Sport Management at the University of Michigan, and Harry Watling, Head Coach of the Hartford Athletic, sit down to talk about what the proposed Super League means for the future of the world's most popular sport. The initial effort collapsed in spectacular fashion, and in the process, drew the near unanimous ire of the world's 3.5 billion soccer fans. Is this saga, at its heart, a battle between globalization and nationalism? How did the American sports model inform the decision to create a Super League in European soccer? Moderated by Amanda Jolly, VP of Programs & Communications.

This conversation was in partnership with the Hartford Athletic and sponsored by Hoffman Auto Group.

Follow the Dr. Szymanski on Twitter @sszy and check out his book, Soccernomics. Follow the latest news with the Hartford Athletic on Twitter @hfdathletic.

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A Beginner’s Guide to America | Roya Hakakian

Tue, 25 May 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Roya Hakakian, poet, journalist and writer, sits down with the Council to talk about her personal journey to the United States as a refugee and her new book, A Beginner’s Guide to America. For immigrants and refugees, the challenges and triumphs of life in the United States can be vast, so what is the best practical advice and information for those who settle in the U.S.? And how has a U.S. citizen who came to America as a refugee from Iran turned her experience into a helpful guide for the newly arrived?

This episode was made possible by generous support from Connecticut Humanities with additional support by Murtha Cullina LLP.

Follow Roya on Twitter @RoyaTheWriter and check out her new book, A Beginner's Guide to America.

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Welcome to the DarkSide (of Cyber) | Arthur House

Mon, 17 May 2021 12:00:00 -0400

Arthur House, former Cybersecurity Risk Officer for the State of Connecticut, Cybersecurity Policy Advisor to Connecticut’s Secretary of the State and Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut, is among the cybersecurity experts who warned of a large-scale cyberattack for years. He joins the Council to discuss the recent attack on Colonial Pipeline, which is responsible for about 45% of the East Coast fuel supply, and how to better protect U.S. critical infrastructure. How did this unprecedented attack happen in the first place? Why is the United States' most critical infrastructure so undefended? What can the U.S. do to prevent the next attack?

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Moderated by Megan Torrey. Produced by Amanda Jolly. Edited and engineered by Khaleel Rahman.

China and the U.S.: The 5 Strategic Challenges | Roy Kamphausen

Mon, 10 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Roy Kamphausen, President of the National Bureau of Asian Research, joins us to address China, the U.S., and each nation’s respective vision for the future of their country, their bilateral relationship, and the world they want to shape. Today, we’re addressing 5 key strategic domains in the US-China relationship: defense, economy, global leadership, space and technology. In each domain we’ll ask: where is U.S.-China competition fiercest – and most consequential?

Read more from Roy and the National Bureau of Asian Research on their website.

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Horn of Africa Crises Watch 2021 | Murithi Mutiga

Mon, 03 May 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Murithi Mutiga, Project Director for the Horn of Africa at the International Crisis Group, joins Council CEO Megan Torrey to talk about the present and emerging crises he’s tracking today. From a humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia to political violence in Somalia, an already tumultuous region is facing more challenges than usual. As we look ahead in 2021 which evolving movements, trends, and crises might lie ahead in the Horn of Africa?

Follow Murithi Mutiga on Twitter @mutigam

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Sports Diplomacy | Kerry McCoy & Ashleigh Huffman, Ph.D.

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Kerry McCoy, two-time US Olympian, 2008 Olympic Coach and current Executive Director at the California Regional Training Center, and Dr. Ashleigh Huffman, Program Specialist in the Sports Diplomacy Division at the U.S. Department of State, join the Council to unpack the power of sports diplomacy. Sports and politics are two of the most polarizing topics in the world. Then again, they both have an undeniable ability to bring people together regardless of country, background and beliefs. From the Olympics to the United Nations, how does sports diplomacy work to create a safer and more stable world? What skills can we adapt from athletics to build stronger communities, both at home and abroad?

This episode is part of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut’s Young Professionals series.

Follow Kerry on Twitter @kmac120 and Dr. Huffman @docta_ash.

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Afghanistan: What happens next? | Shahmahmood Miakhel

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Shahmahmood Miakhel, Designated Ambassador of Afghanistan to Qatar, joins the Council live from Kabul to tackle the biggest questions surrounding President Biden's announcement that the U.S. would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September 11th. After twenty years of conflict, America is finally ready to put a close on its longest war in history -- but what does it mean for Afghanistan as a country and for its people? What role will the Taliban play, if any, in domestic Afghani politics?

Follow Minister Miakhel on Twitter @S_MIAKHEL.

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Civil Rights Has Always Been a Global Movement | Brenda Gayle Plummer, Ph.D.

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Brenda Gayle Plummer, Ph.D., professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and foundational scholar in the realm of race and international relations, joins the Council to discuss the deep global roots of today’s U.S. movements for social justice. After George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota protests for racial justice erupted around the world. The words “I can’t breathe” appeared on protest signs in cities from Berlin to Seoul. On this episode, we ask: what made these protests go global so immediately? How has the movement for civil rights always been a global movement?

Special thanks to this episode’s partners: Greater Hartford Links Chapter, Central Connecticut State University Political Science Department, African American Studies, Africana Center, and International Studies program.

Read Dr. Plummer's article, Civil Rights Has Always Been a Global Movement, in Foreign Affairs magazine.

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Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space | Kaitlyn Johnson

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 16:00:00 -0400

Kaitlyn Johnson, Deputy Director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) knows a thing or two about space. What’s more, is she and her team at CSIS seamlessly combined counterspace defense systems with Harry Potter to make an easily accessible, but wholly comprehensive, report on counterspace weapons (the “dark arts”). Whether defending satellites from attack or saving the wizarding world from evil, special circumstances require special countermeasures. What is the current state of space and counterspace defenses today? How can the United States maintain a distinct strategic advantage over the “dark arts” in space?

This bonus episode is part of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut’s Young Professionals series.

Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter @Kaitlyn_Johns0n and check out her co-authored reports for CSIS, Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space and Space Threat Assessment 2021

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Fragility of Global Shipping | Elisabeth Braw

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Elisabeth Braw, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins the Council to discuss the fragility of the global shipping infrastructure. When the massive Ever Given cargo ship blocked the Suez Canal in early March, it not only blocked waterways, but also billions of dollars in trade. From proxy wars to GPS spoofing attacks and accidental crises, like the Ever Given event, events like these expose some of the overlooked vulnerabilities of global shipping infrastructures. This shipping mishap caused many to ask some long overdue questions like, how can disruptions in our supply chains create ripple effects around the world? How can we be more responsible consumers when purchasing goods?

Follow Elisabeth on Twitter @ElisabethBraw and check out her recent article for Foreign Policy magazine, Without Shipping, the Global Economy Sinks.

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China’s Digital Currency | Yaya J. Fanusie

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 13:00:00 -0400

Yaya J. Fanusie, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American security discusses the launch of China’s new digital Yuan. He sits down with Amanda Jolly to talk about China’s new national digital currency - what it is, how it works, and what implications it may have for financial security and privacy in China and around the world. Will China’s digital currency model set the template for all national digital currencies going forward? Should the U.S. launch its own? How can we harness the power of digital currency while safeguarding citizens and businesses from digital authoritarianism?

The Kill Chain | Christian Brose

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Christian Brose, author of The Kill Chain, Head of Strategy at Anduril Industries and Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, gives us an in-depth rundown of the future of high-tech weaponry and warfare. The U.S. must choose: to modernize and innovate its military, or risk losing the next war. What will our military leaders need to consider while confronting this new battle landscape? How can America build a battle network of systems to rapidly understand and respond to evolving threats?

This event was moderated by Lieutenant General Michael Moeller (USAF, Ret.), Vice President for Integrated Customer Solutions at Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, as part of the 2020 Global Security Forum.

Ireland-U.S. Economic Partnership, Innovation, and a New Administration | Harry Lester and Conall O Móráin

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Harry Lester, Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of Ireland, celebrates Saint Patrick's Day with the Council by discussing the U.S.-Ireland economic partnership. Council CEO Megan Torrey is joined by guest moderator Conall O Móráin, Host of That Great Business Show, as they tackle questions such as, what can the United States learn from Ireland’s economic success? How does a new U.S. administration impact the U.S.-Ireland alliance?

This discussion was hosted in partnership with the Ireland-Connecticut Business Council.

U.S. Foreign Policy for 2021 | Bonus Roundtable Discussion

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 17:00:00 -0400

From reestablishing relationships with loyal allies to navigating a new Middle East, 2021 is shaping up to be a challenging year ahead for the Biden administration and his new U.S. foreign policy agenda. Is President Biden's agenda a revolutionary departure from tradition or just more of the same? Which nation deserved the first call from new U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken when he entered office? Which countries in the Middle East are 'in' and which are 'out' when it comes to U.S. favor? Amanda Jolly speaks with a few of our favorite leaders and thinkers for a roundtable discussion to uncover what 2021 might hold for the Biden administration. Featuring Steven Cook, Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies, Council on Foreign Relations; Fred Kyeremeh, Founder and Author, Ghanaian American Journal; and Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut.

Myanmar Coup & Global Threats to Democracy | Amb. Derek Mitchell

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Ambassador Derek Mitchell, former U.S. ambassador to Myanmar and current President of the National Democratic Institute, sits down with the Council to tackle recent events in Myanmar, including the military coup d’état that ousted the nation’s democratically elected leaders and subsequent nationwide protests. But what led up to this point and what happens next? Is this coup a sign that democracy is in retreat around the world?

Female Leaders vs. COVID | Supriya Garikipati, Ph.D.

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:00:00 -0500

It’s International Women’s Day and we’re celebrating with a bonus micro-episode of State of the World!

In response to the pandemic, have female heads of state really produced better outcomes when compared to their male counterparts? We’ll find out what the data says with Dr. Supriya Garikipati, associate professor at the University of Liverpool, and author of the globally-recognized paper, “Leading the Fight Against the Pandemic: Does Gender ‘Really’ Matter?” Moderated by CEO, Megan Torrey.

The Domestic Extremist Threat | Seamus Hughes

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Seamus Hughes, Deputy Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University is an expert on terrorism, homegrown violent extremism, and countering violent extremism. He speaks with Megan Torrey about the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th, domestic terrorist threats, and the best way to approach this growing issue. Listen as we answer: What are the roots of this homegrown violence? What are the motivations of these domestic extremist groups? What threat does growing extremism pose to the U.S. and the world?

The Iran Deal: Rejoin, Renegotiate or Reject? | Trita Parsi, Ph.D.

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Dr. Trita Parsi, co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, joins Megan Torrey, to talk about the Iran Nuclear Deal, America’s potential return to the negotiating table and his hope for the future of U.S.-Iran relations. As the world waits to see which country will make the first move, we are left to wonder: will the deal be recovered, renegotiated or rejected altogether?

U.S. Combating International Human Trafficking | Heather Fischer

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Heather Fischer, senior advisor for human trafficking in the Philanthropy sector, most recently served as the first-ever White House special advisor for human trafficking. She sits down with Megan Torrey and chronicles what tools the U.S. has to confront global and domestic human trafficking, how citizens can make a difference, and how conspiracies have hurt efforts against such crimes. When confronted with such a widespread and urgent issue, how do we decipher fact from fiction? What can we help to end human trafficking around the world?

Feminist Foreign Policy | Stephenie Foster

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Stephenie Foster, co-founder and partner at Smash Strategies, joins Council CEO Megan Torrey to define what a feminist foreign policy is and how it might make the United States, and world, more secure. After Sweden announced its feminist foreign policy agenda in 2014, other countries have joined the European country - but the United States remains unconvinced. We ask: does the U.S. want - or need - a feminist foreign policy agenda? And should we join nations such as Sweden, Canada, France, and Mexico in implementing such policies?

U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities for a New Administration | Senator Chris Murphy

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Senator Chris Murphy, member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sits down with Megan Torrey, Council CEO, to highlight which foreign policy goals President Biden will tackle over the next four years. From the deadly conflict in Yemen to the military coup in Myanmar, and from confronting climate change to thwarting Russian cyberattacks, where should the U.S. start? What foreign policy priorities must the Biden administration address first?

Oil, Energy and Our Post-Pandemic Future | Dr. Meghan O’Sullivan

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Dr. Meghan O’Sullivan, Director of the Geopolitics of Energy Project at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, speaks with Council CEO Megan Torrey about the energy market during the pandemic and one of the world’s most vital liquids: oil. As markets continue to shift and new alliances form, will COVID provide an opportunity to reshape the energy sector, and the world?

President Biden’s First 100 Days | Bonus Roundtable Discussion

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 17:00:00 -0500

President Joe Biden was just sworn in as the 46th President of the United States and inherited a plethora of national security and foreign policy challenges. What should be first on President Biden’s agenda in the next 100 days? What do his appointees tell us about the direction of U.S. foreign policy? Amanda Jolly sits down with some of our favorite leaders and thinkers for a roundtable discussion to answer these questions and more. Featuring Arthur House, Former Cybersecurity Risk Officer, State of Connecticut; Luke Knittig, Senior National Security and Public Affairs Professional; and Megan Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut.

The World: A Brief Introduction | Richard Haass, Ph.D.

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Dr. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign relations gives us a primer on our world as it is, our greatest threats and why global education might be our greatest defense. As we wade through the uncertainty of what our next greatest security challenges will be, we ask: how can we navigate and secure an increasingly connected world?

This event was moderated by Bradley Akubuiro, Chief Spokesperson & Senior Director of Global Media Relations, Boeing, as part of the 2020 Global Security Forum.

Global Lessons in Police Reform | Laurence Ralph, Ph.D.

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Dr. Laurence Ralph, Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center of Transnational Policing at Princeton University, sits down with Council CEO Megan Torrey to unpack continuing racial injustices and inherent biases within U.S. law enforcement. As we grapple with the question of effective police reform, we ask: which policing models in other nations have succeeded, which have failed, and what can we learn from them?

Tech, Privacy and Bias in the COVID Era | Nicol Turner Lee, Ph.D.

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0500

Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, Director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution and Co-Editor-In-Chief of TechTank sits down with Megan Clark Torrey, CEO, to discuss the new era of technology in health and inherent biases in these technologies. How can we balance personal privacy with public safety?

Putting the World Back Together | GEN John R. Allen

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0500

General John R. Allen (USMC, Ret.), President of The Brookings Institution, joins Megan Clark Torrey, CEO, World Affairs Council of Connecticut for an expert conversation on disrupting the world order, what's on the horizon, and how our world may be reshaped as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. How will we put the post-COVID world back together? And what if we’re still missing that last puzzle piece at the end?

State of the World Trailer - Join Us!

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0500

From shifting alliances to great power politics, and from security in a post-pandemic world to rapid technological innovation, our world is constantly in flux. Each week on State of the World, Megan Torrey, CEO of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, sits down with experts and leaders on the frontlines of foreign policy and national security. Each episode is a deep dive into one of the world’s most pressing issues and it asks the question: how can global events impact our everyday lives? And how can seemingly minute shifts here at home come to shape the world? Hosted by Amanda Jolly and produced by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut.