Israelis and Palestinians: Sunset on the "Two-State Solution?"
1/8/13
Speaker: Mark Rosenblum

The “Arab Spring” revolts and the prospect of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons is diverting attention from peacemaking. The prospects of a two-state solution look bleak. Professor Mark Rosenblum will explore whether there are alternatives for solving – or living with – these conflicts and how central the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to broader U.S. strategic interests.

China's Leadership Transition: Implications for Change
1/15/13
Speaker: Amb. Stapleton Roy

Amb. Stapleton Roy explains that China's new leaders are younger than their predecessors and grew up under very different domestic and international circumstances. This suggests that their domestic and foreign policies may differ significantly from those of the leaders they replace. If so, how is this likely to affect issues such as the outlook for political change in China and China's relations with the United States? If not, what are the implications for peace and stability in China and East Asia?

The Future National Security Threat Environment: The End of Power and Innocence
1/22/13
Speaker: Harvey Rishikof

Harvey Rishikof, a national security legal expert, explains that during the Cold War America had one primary enemy. Today we face potentially existential threats from a variety of non-state actor terrorist groups. He will examine the problems this poses for our 20th century legal structure, which was designed to deal with clearly identifiable, traditional nation states with identifiable borders.

U.S. Policy Options for the Korean Peninsula in January 2013
1/29/13
Speaker: Amb Donald Gregg

Presidential elections in both South Korea and the United States will have produced a new amalgam of thinking and policy options in both countries. By January it will have become clearer how strong Kim Jong Un’s leadership in Pyongyang has become, and what his policy priorities are. Likely options will be discussed by Amb Donald Gregg.

Islam and Islamism in the 21st Century: The Stakes for the West
2/5/13
Speaker: Hassan Mneimneh

Hassan Mneimneh, an expert on extremism and insurgency in the Arab and Muslim world, will explore the potential impact of the Arab Spring on the West. It was greeted by the West with great hope and optimism. Since then, it’s become clear that the long term outlook is more complicated.

Putin, Medvedev, and Russian Domestic Realities
2/12/13
Speaker: Dr. Robert Barylski

Dr. Robert Barylski addresses the question: Will Russia always be Europe's bad neighborhood? He will present an illustrated lecture exploring tensions between the Kremlin team's drive for better political ratings, its efforts to cripple radical dissent, and its half hearted "war" on systemic corruption.

Germany: Europe's Powerhouse?
2/19/13
Speaker: Dr Daniel Hamilton

Dr. Daniel Hamilton explains that united Germany has emerged as Europe's powerhouse, but its neighbors are ambivalent about a dominant Deutschland. Is Germany still an economic giant and a political dwarf? How is Germany changing, where is it heading, and what does it mean for Europe and the United States?

The Impact of Defense Strategy and Budgets in an Age of Austerity
2/26/13
Speaker: Dr. Lawrence Korb

The end of the war in Iraq and the the troop drawdown in Afghanistan, and the need to cut spending, have led the Obama Administration to develop a new national security strategy and reduce the projected level of defense spending. Dr. Lawrence Korb will analyze the meaning of the new strategy and budget.

Will Turkey Ever Get Into Europe?
3/5/13
Speaker: Dr. Soner Cagaptay

Dr. Soner Cagaptay notes that despite the fact that Turkey first applied to enter the EU in 1987, political unrest in Turkey, conflicts with Cyprus, and Europe’s economic deterioration have created barriers to Turkey’s inclusion in the EU. Turkey’s mix of European and Islamic cultures and its size also create concerns for current EU members.

US Immigration Policy: Prospects for Change after the 2012 Elections
3/12/13
Speaker: Muzaffar Chishti

Muzaffar Chishti explains that U.S. Immigration Policy has not fundamentally changed since 1965. With the 2012 election, how will immigration law change in the future? What are the implications of the Dream Act and other proposed solutions to some of the U.S. immigration issues?

The Iran Crisis and Nuclear Security
3/19/13
Speaker: Dr. Steven Miller

Dr. Steven Miller will analyze the main nuclear threats and vulnerabilities we face and the quality of our response to them. He will relate the Iranian program to the existing set of nuclear and would-be nuclear powers. He will discuss strengths and weaknesses of American and Iranian perceptions and responses to these changes.

Afghanistan and Pakistan: Why They Demand America’s Involvement
3/26/13
Speaker: Dr. Tom Gouttierre

Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has underestimated its interests in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is vital to U.S. interests for strategic, moral, economic, and historic reasons. Dr. Tom Gouttierre will examine prospects for this war-torn country..