Resetting Foreign Policy: The Path Forward after January 20th
1/10/13
Speaker: Dr. Jerry Pubantz

Whether Americans elect a new President in November or give a renewed mandate to President Obama, there will be a new foreign policy team facing new challenges in 2013. Dr. Jerry Pubantz discusses the direction of US foreign policy as the nation embarks on a new presidential term.

Markets, Monsters, & Black Swans: The European Union and the Euro
1/17/13
Speaker: Dr. Irene Finel-Honigman

Dr. Irene Finel-Honigman discusses the causes, reactions and prognosis of the 2010-2012 Greek sovereign debt crisis which engulfed the European Union and the Eurozone banking sector as history, politics and culture often trumped economic rationale in the wake of market upheavals, change of governments and global volatility.

Fighting Poverty and Increasing Economic Opportunity
1/24/13
Speaker: Dr. Ron Haskins

Dr. Ron Haskins explains that high poverty rates and constrained economic opportunity are caused by low wages, the rise of female-headed families, low educational achievement, and low male work rates. He will explore these factors and examine how government programs have attempted to reduce poverty and increase economic opportunity, with an emphasis on successful programs.

The United States and China: The Wary Partnership
1/31/13
Speaker: Dr Jonathan Pollack

Dr. Jonathan Pollack discusses the U.S. - China relationship, which will almost certainly be the pivotal factor shaping global politics, economics, and security in the 21st century. He will identify and explore the forces, issues, and relevant uncertainties that seem likely to shape future U.S. - China ties, and the policy agendas confronting both leaderships over the next decade.

Thinking and Responding Strategically to National Security Challenges
2/7/13
Speaker: Dr. John Williams

National security threats to the United States are evolving in response to international economic, political, and social developments. We must be prepared to deal with a variety of increasingly ambiguous, but still dangerous, challenges. They range from foreign states (North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia) to terrorist groups (Al Qaeda), and individual snipers and bombers. Technological diffusion has increased the lethality of non-state attacks (radiological, chemical, and biological weapons – e.g., anthrax attack). Prediction is difficult, and requires that we understand their nature and think strategically about how to deal with contingencies.

Has U.S. Foreign Policy Become Irrelevant in the Americas?
2/14/13
Speaker: Dr. Jorge Dominguez

Dr. Jorge Dominguez explores if there is any role for U.S. foreign policy from Canada to Patagonia. Brazil heads United Nations peacekeepers in Haita; Chile mediated a severe internal dispute in Bolivia; the Dominican Republic mediated a dispute between Colombia and Venezuela; and NAFTA features few U.S.-Canda-Mexico disputes.

Why We Are Not Doomed
2/21/13
Speaker: Martin Walker

Martin Walker explains that the real technological revolution that is going to double global income per capita by 2030 is just getting going, most of it is made in America. Even our politicians may not be able to mess this up.

Politics of Petroleum: Hot New Development in the Energy World
2/28/13
Speaker: Amb. Molly Williamson

Amb. Molly Williamson returns to SILL with an exploration of the Shale Gale energy game changers, upsides, risks, and impact on the global energy markets.

It's Even Worse Than It Looks: Coping with our Political Dysfunction
3/7/13
Speaker: Dr. Norman Ornstein

Dr. Norman Orstein considers that partisan conflict is inherent in democratic political systems and governing is often a messy process. But this level of dysfunction is not typical and it is not going way anytime soon. What are the prospects for moving forward?

Iran and the U.S. - Between War and Diplomacy
3/14/13
Speaker: Dr. Trita Parsi

Dr. Trita Parsi explains that serious, genuine diplomacy is yet to be exhausted -- or even tried. Diplomacy is only way to prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb. War would only increase likelihood of Iran going nuclear down the road. Iran is 3 times the size of Iraq, with a much larger and difficult terrain. Air strikes won’t work and an invasion would require at least 500,000 troops.

The Middle East in Crisis: Israel, the Arab Uprising and the U.S.
3/21/13
Speaker: Amb. Philip Wilcox

The Middle East is in turmoil. Israel is faced with the issues of Palestinian statehood, territorial boundaries and the threat of a nuclear Iran. Relations between Egypt’s Islamist president and the military are uncertain. The bloody rebellion in Syria poses new dangers. American influence is waning, even as threats from the region grow. Amb. Philip Wilcox addresses the question: What should our next president do?

Afghanistan’s Peace, What & How?
3/28/13
Speaker: Dr. Thomas Barfield

Dr. Thomas Barfield examines the fundamental factors for bringing peace to this war torn land and what role the United States may play in that process. Afghanistan has been the focus of world attention since 2001, but little heed has been paid to the country's culture and history in attempting to restore political stability there.