Escalating Tariffs, Shifting Alliances: Impact on Trade and Global Prosperity
2025-05-07 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Escalating Tariffs, Shifting Alliances: Impact on Trade and Global Prosperity with Dr. Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, moderated by Prof. Julie Mueller.
Dr. Elms will help us unpack the real-world impact of the Trump Administration’s sweeping changes to U.S. trade policy and what they mean for Maine, the nation, and our interconnected world. Drawing on her deep expertise, she’ll explore the ripple effects of new tariffs and shifting alliances and the broader implications for economic growth and community well-being.
Whether you’re a local business owner, educator, student, or a globally curious Mainer, this is your chance to join a thoughtful conversation, ask questions, and connect with others who care about Maine’s place in an ever-changing world.
Reserve your spot today!
About our speaker
Dr. Deborah Elms is Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore and a leading expert on international trade, tariffs, and supply chains. She previously founded and served as Executive Director of the Asian Trade Centre and was President of the Asia Business Trade Association. Dr. Elms has written extensively on the rapid increase in tariffs, particularly those initiated by the United States, and their widespread effects on both direct targets and the broader global economy. Her work frequently examines the risks and unintended consequences of tariffs as a policy tool, highlighting the ripple effects through global supply chains and the potential for significant economic disruption. She holds a PhD in political science from the University of Washington and is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and commentator on trade policy worldwide

Coffee and Discussion (In-Person)
2025-05-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth, ME, 04105, United States
A monthly discussion of world events for members. In-person meetings are held every third Thursday of the month at the Falmouth Memorial Library, 10am-11am. Register HERE

Coffee and Discussion (Virtual)
2025-06-05 10:00 - 11:00
Join us via zoom on the first Thursday of every month, 10am-11am, for our members Coffee and Discussion meeting. A zoom link will be sent to your email upon registration! Register HERE

2025 Governor's International Breakfast - Maine: Gateway to the Arctic and the North Atlantic
2025-06-09 07:00 - 09:30 | Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring St, Portland, ME, United States
Join the World Affairs Council of Maine and the Maine International Trade Center for the 2025 Governor’s International Breakfast. June 9, 2025, the Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland
Maine is shaping the future of the Arctic and North Atlantic collaboration as a vital gateway to emerging Arctic trade routes and a leader in sustainable innovation. Maine offers unparalleled opportunities for global partnerships in business, research, and environmental stewardship. This year’s Governor’s International Breakfast will explore how Maine’s strategic connections and expertise can unlock new possibilities in this dynamic region. In addition to remarks from Governor Mills, we will hear from Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in Boston, and a panel with discussion with Ben Ford, Honorary Consul for Iceland, Lt. Cl (ret) Darryl Lion, and Nathaniel Shehata, Eimskip’s Vice President of Liner Services.
Program:
7:00 AM: Doors Open – Coffee and Networking
8:00 AM: Opening Remarks
8:15 AM: Panel Discussion
9:00 AM: Governor’s Remarks
9:25 AM: Closing Remarks
9:30 AM: Adjourn

$30 for members, $35 for non-members

2025 Annual Meeting: Your World Starts Here!
2025-06-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Coffee by Design, 1 Diamond Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Please join us on Thursday, June 12, from 5:30-8:00 PM at Coffee by Design for the Annual Meeting of the World Affairs Council of Maine. We will get the business out of the way early, then relax and celebrate all we’ve accomplished this year while enjoying some refreshments from Seas Catering.
We will also have a silent auction fundraiser online and during the reception. Items include original works of art from artists in Maine and abroad, experiences that include some amazing “date night” packages, and restaurant gift cards. Be sure to bid early and often to get one-of-a-kind items! And bring a credit card, which will be the easiest way to bid using our online auction site. The bidding will end at 7:30 PM on June 12. You can also bid in person at the Annual Meeting. Items will be available at the meeting. If you’re not able to attend the meeting, the WAC will contact you via email to deliver your winning items.
Bidding is now open for our online Silent Auction!

Program:
5:30 – 6:00 PM: Annual Membership Meeting – State of the Council, Voting for Directors, David Plumb, President and Board Chair
6:00-7:00 PM: Reception & Silent Auction viewing
7:00-7:30 PM: Awards and Recognition, Allison Hodgkins, Executive Director
7:45 PM: Silent Auction Winners Announced, Julie Mueller, Program Committee Chair

Iran, Israel, and the United States: Where are we and how did we get here?
2025-06-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Iran, Israel, and the United States: Where are we and how did we get here?
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
7:00-8:00 PM via ZOOM
With Rebecca Davis Gibbons, University of Southern Maine, Harvard Belfer Center’s Project on Managing the Atom
And Sam Lair, Research Associate, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation,
Moderated by Allison Hodgkins
Registration for members is covered by annual membership dues. Suggested donation for members of the general public $10. Registration for Maine Students is always FREE!

Iran, Israel, and the United States II: the view from Washington D.C.
2025-07-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Iran, Israel, and the United States II: The View from Washington D.C.
With Elisa Catalano Ewers, Adjunct Senior Fellow at RAND Corporation, Principal with Scalare Advisors
Moderated by Christopher E. Barr, Director, World Affairs Council of Maine
Wednesday, July 9 at 7 p.m. — via Zoom
Join the World Affairs Council of Maine for another timely weeknight webinar on the evolving situation between Iran, Israel, and the United States. This session features Elisa Catalano Ewers, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security and a leading expert on U.S. policy in the Middle East, with moderation by Christopher E. Barr.
The discussion will provide expert insight on the role of Congress in navigating the evolving dynamics between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Whether you’re interested in foreign policy, security, or current events, this conversation will provide critical insights into the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. strategy in the region.Registration for members is covered by annual membership dues. Suggested donation for members of the general public $10. Registration for Maine Students is always FREE!

About our Speakers

Elisa Catalano Ewers is a leading voice in national security policy issues related to the Middle East and North Africa, counterterrorism and security cooperation, and the workings of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.She has over 25 years of experience as a chief advisor in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government, in think tanks and academia, and as a strategy consultant in the private sector. She served during both the Obama and George W. Bush administrations, at the National Security Council, Departments of State and Defense, at U.S. Embassies overseas and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. She was selected for Senior Executive Service, as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.
In her role as a senior professional staff member of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Elisa led the committee’s work on Middle East and North Africa, Nonproliferation and Arms Control, and International Economic policy. She served as the principal advisor on these foreign policy and national security issues to the Democratic members of the U.S. Senate. Additionally, she exercised oversight over billions of dollars in related U.S. funding and programs related to some of the most pressing foreign policy challenges of the day.
As an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, Ms. Ewers’ analysis appeared in such outlets as The Washington Post, Newsweek, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, War on the Rocks, BBC, CNN, and XM Radio. Elisa was an adjunct faculty member in the graduate programs at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Prior to her time in government service, Elisa had a distinguished private sector career in consulting and institutional asset management with Booz Allen Hamilton and Wellington Management Company.
She currently is an adjunct senior fellow at RAND Corporation, and a principal with Scalare Advisors. She also is a member of the executive board of directors of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society. She resides in Washington D.C. with her husband, Major General John Ewers, USMC (ret), their sons John and Lloyd, and their labrador Gracie.
Moderator: Christopher E. Barr is a foreign policy professional with over a decade of experience at the intersection of U.S. foreign policy, Congress, and the Middle East and North Africa. Most recently, he served as the Senior Legislative and Policy Analyst for the Democratic staff of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he worked from June 2013 to March 2025. His main focus areas were the Middle East and North Africa, non-proliferation, and international financial institutions, on which he provided analysis and policy guidance to the Committee Chairman. Chris has traveled throughout the Middle East and North Africa, and lived, studied and worked in Cairo, Egypt before his time on the Foreign Relations Committee. Chris holds a Juris Doctor (JD) in International and Corporate Law, with a focus on Islamic Jurisprudence, from the New York University School of Law. He also earned a Graduate Diploma in Middle East Politics and Economics from The American University in Cairo, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Princeton University. Chris currently lives in Yarmouth, Maine.

Iran, Israel, and the United States III: The View from the Gulf
2025-08-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Iran, Israel, and the United States III: The View from The Gulf
With Susannah George, Gulf Bureau Chief, Washington Post
Moderated by Allison Hodgkins, World Affairs Council of Maine
Wednesday, August 13 at 7 p.m. — via Zoom
Susannah George has been the Washington Post’s Gulf bureau chief, based in Dubai, leading coverage of the oil-rich monarchies of the Persian Gulf and their neighbor, Iran. She previously spent four years The Post’s Afghanistan-Pakistan bureau chief, where she covered the fall of the Afghan government and the return of the Taliban to power. She is a prize-winning journalist with deep experience in reporting from the Middle East, including assignments in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, and Tunisia during the Arab Spring and in Iraq on multiple tours. She headed the Associated Press’s Baghdad bureau. She is currently transitioning back to the paper’s headquarters in Washington D.C.
The discussion will provide expert insight on the role of Congress in navigating the evolving dynamics between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Whether you’re interested in foreign policy, security, or current events, this conversation will provide critical insights into the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. strategy in the region. Registration for members is covered by annual membership dues. Suggested donation for the general public $10. Registration for Maine Students is always FREE!

August 14th: Members' Coffee and Discussion (Virtual)
2025-08-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
A monthly discussion of world events for members. Virtual session on zoom this Thursday, August 10am-11am. Register HERE
From Joe:
We can start with a brief summary of the Wednesday webinar. After we discuss the current situation in the Mideast, if there is time, we can talk a bit about tariffs (see https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-tariffs-2673858212/ but don’t feel at all obliged to read).

Looking forward to seeing all who can make it.

Community Event: Restoring Family Links with the American Red Cross
2025-08-26 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom
Dear Community Partners,
We are pleased to invite you to a virtual presentation hosted by the American Red Cross on Restoring Family Links, a vital program supporting international families separated by conflict, disaster, migration, or other humanitarian crises.
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)
Location: Online via Zoom
Zoom Registration Link: Click here to register

This session will provide an overview of how the Restoring Family Links program works, who it serves, and how community organizations can collaborate to support families in need of reconnection and information.
Learn more: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/international-services/reconnecting-families.html?srsltid=AfmBOorp5ahoENhVRg-9OE03dpO9gRMYlwjxTBGqEgo1kN0ETs6AyW3U
FAQs: https://www.redcross.org/faq.html#Reconnecting-Families
We hope you can join us for this important conversation. Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues and partners who may be interested.
For questions please contact: SAFNNE@redcross.org

Community Event: Freeport Speech - Examining Local Solutions to Global Challenges with Susan Thornton and Fiona Hill
2025-08-27 08:00 - 17:00
Our friends at Freeport Speech are hosting an exciting program on Thursday, September 25 at the Freeport Performing Arts Center! Tickets are limited!

Examining Local Solutions to Global Challenges with Dr. Fiona Hill, Susan Thornton and Barrett Takesian

REGISTER

Join Freeport Speech to hear Dr. Fiona Hill, formerly an official at the U.S. National Security Council specializing in Russian and European affairs, in conversation with former diplomat and Russia expert Susan Thornton and non-profit community builder Barrett Takesian in a discussion about strengthening grass roots organizations as a means to alleviate domestic dysfunction that can lead to national security crises.

Dr. Fiona Hill CMG is a senior fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution and Chancellor of Durham University. Hill served as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council from 2017 to 2019, as well as national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the U.S. National Intelligence Council from 2006 to 2009. Hill has researched and published extensively on issues related to Russia, the Caucasus, regional conflicts, and strategic issues, as well as the link between deindustrialization and political populism. She is the author of the bestselling memoir There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the 21st Century and co-author of Mr. Putin: Operative in the Kremlin. In December 2023, Hill was recognized by the United Kingdom as a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, for services to international relations and in July 2024, Hill was appointed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be an external reviewer for a Strategic Defense Review for the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom.
Susan A. Thornton is a retired senior U.S. diplomat with almost three decades of experience with the U.S. State Department in Eurasia and East Asia. She is currently a Visiting Lecturer in Law and Senior Fellow at the Yale Law School Paul Tsai China Center. She is also the director of the Forum on Asia-Pacific Security at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Thornton received her M.A. in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and her B.A. from Bowdoin College in Economics and Russian. She speaks Mandarin and Russian.
Barrett Takesian grew up in Southwest Harbor, Maine. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 2012, he left the private sector to pursue his passion for youth development. What began as small squash clinics in the basement of the YMCA grew into Portland Community Squash (PCS) – a multicultural, multigenerational community center now serving 1,000 members on Noyes Street in Portland. The community squash model has since expanded beyond Maine, inspiring similar efforts across the U.S. and sparking adoption in other arts and sports organizations. Barrett has served as Senior Advisor for Community Squash at US Squash, Maine’s Ambassador for the Afterschool Alliance, and Chair of Portland’s Out of School Time Network. He continues to champion community centers both locally and nationally, contributing to initiatives with the Sport for Development Journal, Laureus Sport for Good, the Aspen Institute, and the Brookings Institution.
Lead Sponsors for this event are David Douglas Stone and Joe and Carol Wishcamper
Net proceeds to beneift Portland Community Squash
Enjoy pre-lecture music by Shaina’s Strings for 30 minutes before the performance.

The Reagan Doctrine: Lessons for Today
2025-09-17 17:30 - 19:30 | Bernstein-Shur, 100 Middle St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Evening Speaker Series
The Reagan Doctrine: Lessons for Today
with Amb. Frank Lavin
Date: Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Bernstein-Shur
Foreign policy during the Cold War served as a model for the US for decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but recent years have shown increased dissatisfaction with US international leadership and alliance management – whether you look at Obama’s reduction in US commitment to NATO, Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, or Trump’s sharp breaks with NATO and challenges to international trade. Is international leadership no longer central to US security and prosperity? Or do the costs of leadership simply exceed the benefits? Does the US need to reduce its international role and commitments, or is this reduced international footprint a mistake?
Frank Lavin takes us back to the Reagan era of Cold War foreign policy for an examination of what worked during that period and in what ways might America have fallen short – and discusses why the lessons of that era still might apply today, as different as circumstances might be.
REGISTRATION: Members $10, non-members $15. Maine Students are always free!

About our Speakers

Frank Lavin is active in U.S.-Asia policy, U.S. domestic politics, and trade policy matters. He serves as a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution as well as a Trustee of the Asia Foundation and as a Director of the Asia Society of Northern California.
Lavin served as Under Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Bush (43) Administration. In that capacity, Lavin served as lead trade negotiator for both China and India and was responsible for commercial policy, export promotion, and trade negotiations across the globe. Lavin was previously U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, where he helped negotiate the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
In the private sector, Lavin served in senior finance and management positions in Hong Kong and Singapore with Bank of America and Citibank.
Lavin also served in the Bush (41) and Reagan Administrations, working in the Department of Commerce, Department of State, National Security Council, and White House. In the Reagan Administration, Lavin served as White House Political Director.
Lavin earned a B.S. from the School of Foreign Service and an M.S. in Chinese Language and History (both Georgetown); an M.A. in International Relations and International Economics from SAIS (Johns Hopkins); and an M.B.A. in Finance from Wharton (Pennsylvania).
He is a columnist for Forbes.com and has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and elsewhere. Lavin is the author of “Inside the Reagan White House” (Post Hill Press 2025), “The Smart Business Guide to China E-Commerce” (Penguin), co-author of “Export Now” (Wiley), and author of “Home Front to Battlefront” (Ohio University Press), a World War II history book.
Lavin is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and on the Advisory Board of ECIPE, a Brussels think-tank. Lavin has participated in two humanitarian missions to Ukraine. He formerly served as a Lt Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves.
His book, Inside the Reagan White House, is available on-line.

Coffee and Discussion (In-Person) at Magno Terra in Yarmouth
2025-10-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme Dr, Yarmouth, ME, 04096
A monthly discussion of world events for members. In-person meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. Currently the group will be meeting at the Magno Terra Cafe in Yarmouth (#2 Delorme St – immediately to the right of exit 17 on 295 if you are coming from Portland).

Date & Time: October 19, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 AM
Place: Community Room – Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme St. Yarmouth, ME
Discussion leader: Clifford Gilpin
Proposed topic: Current Events (Clifford has suggested this article for discussion)

Shah, R. J. (2025, October 14). Opinion | Hope didn’t end with foreign aid cuts. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/opinion/aid-cuts-new-model.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Members' Coffee and Discussion (Virtual) - Thursday, November 6th
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
A monthly discussion of world events for members. Virtual session on zoom this Thursday, November 6th, 10am-11am.
Topic: Current events – suggested focus on the future of international assistance.
Facilitator: Clifford Gilpin
Suggested Readings: See Wednesday’s story in the 7in7 for October 12-18, you can also access past newsletters on the website HERE.
Register HERE – Zoom link will be sent in confirmation email.
Looking forward to seeing all who can make it.

The Future of Middle East Peace - 2025 Fall Foreign Policy Forum
2025-11-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Hannaford Hall, Abromson Community Center University of Southern Maine, 88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME, 04104
2025 Fall Foreign Policy Forum
The Future of Middle East Peace
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 PM
Hannaford Hall, University of Southern Maine
Hosted by the World Affairs Council of Maine, co-sponsored by the Muskie School of Public Service, and made possible through the support of the William S. Jelin Foundation.
Now in its fifth year, the Fall Foreign Policy Forum brings together leading voices in diplomacy and analysis to explore some of today’s most urgent international challenges.
This year’s program, The Future of Middle East Peace, will feature a conversation moderated by Jackie Northam, international affairs correspondent for NPR, with Ambassador (ret.) Yael Lempert and Khaled Elgindy. The discussion will examine prospects for renewed diplomacy, shifting regional alliances, and new approaches to lasting peace in the Middle East.
Schedule
Doors open: 5:15 PM
Networking reception: 5:30–6:00 PM
Program: 6:15–7:30 PM
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Seating is limited; advance registration is strongly encouraged. Please use the button below to reserve your seat.

After submitting your registration, you’ll receive a confirmation email with event details and arrival instructions.

About the Moderator and Panelists
Jackie Northam is NPR’s International Affairs Correspondent, a veteran journalist who has spent more than three decades reporting from conflict zones and world capitals across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Her work has spanned the fall of communism, post‑invasion Iraq, and the war in Afghanistan. Northam currently covers the intersection of geopolitics and global economics, including U.S.–China relations and sanctions policy. She has received multiple journalism honors, including Edward R. Murrow and duPont‑Columbia Awards.​
Ambassador (ret.) Yael Lempert most recently served as the U.S. Ambassador to Jordan and previously as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. A career diplomat, she has held senior roles on the National Security Council and in U.S. embassies in Cairo, Tel Aviv, and Tunis, focusing on Arab‑Israeli relations, regional security, and Middle East peace negotiations.
Khaled Elgindy is a Visiting Scholar and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, where he teaches and writes on Palestinian politics and U.S. policy in the Middle East. He is the author of Blind Spot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to Trump (Brookings Institution Press, 2019). From 2020 through 2025, he directed the Middle East Institute’s Program on Palestine and Israeli–Palestinian Affairs. From 2010 to 2018, Elgindy served as a resident scholar in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. Earlier in his career, he was an adviser to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah on permanent status negotiations with Israel (2004–2009) and a key participant in the Annapolis peace talks of 2007–08.

Coffee and Discussion (In-Person) at Magno Terra in Yarmouth
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme Dr, Yarmouth, ME, 04096
A monthly discussion of world events for members. In-person meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. Currently the group will be meeting at the Magno Terra Cafe in Yarmouth (#2 Delorme St – immediately to the right of exit 17 on 295 if you are coming from Portland).

Date & Time: November 20, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 AM
Place: Community Room – Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme St. Yarmouth, ME
Discussion leader: Clifford Gilpin
Proposed topic: Current Events/ Feedback on Fall Foreign Policy Forum
REGISTER HERE OR ABOVE.

Members' Coffee and Discussion (Virtual) - Thursday, December 4th
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
A monthly discussion of world events for members. Virtual session on zoom this Thursday, December 4th, 10am-11am.
Virtual session on zoom Thursday, December 4, 2025 10am-11am.
Topic: G20 Summit
Facilitator: Clifford Gilpin
Suggested Readings:

Jones, M. (2025, November 22). G20: Will Trump’s no-show eclipse South Africa’s moment? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20508y7w5yo
South Africa’s G20 Juggling Act. (2025, November 20). International Crisis Group. https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/south-africa/south-africas-g20-juggling-act
G20 South Africa – Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability. (2025, November 16). G20 South Africa. https://g20.org/
Matiwane, Z. (2025, November 22). South Africans seize on G20 summit to air their nation’s ills. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/world/africa/south-africa-g20-protests.html

You can also access past editions of our weekly world news review HERE.
Register HERE – Zoom link will be sent in confirmation email. Looking forward to seeing all who can make it.
For current events sessions, members are encouraged to review the latest editions of the Council’s weekly world news review: 7in7
Looking forward to seeing all who can make it.

Members' Coffee and Discussion (Virtual) - Thursday, December 4th
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
A monthly discussion of world events for members. Virtual session on zoom this Thursday, December 4th, 10am-11am.
Virtual session on zoom Thursday, February 4, 2026 10am-11am.
Topic: Corruption in Ukraine (for real this time!)
Facilitator: Volunteers needed
Suggested Readings:

Suggested Readings:

Budjeryn, M. (2025, November 26). War, peace, and corruption in embattled Ukraine. Brookings.
Hewson, J., & Warsi, Z. (2025, December 5). Corruption scandal rocks Ukraine as it fights for survival against Russia’s invasion. PBS News.
Skorkin, K. (2025, November 18). The corruption scandal engulfing Ukraine won’t die down anytime soon. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Dickinson, P. (2025, November 17). Zelenskyy faces the biggest corruption scandal of his presidency – Atlantic Council. Atlantic Council.
Transparency International. (2025, February 18). CPI 2024: Highlights and insights – News. Transparency.org.
Ukraine Specific The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index in the world. (2024). The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index in the World.

Register HERE – Zoom link will be sent in confirmation email. Looking forward to seeing all who can make it.
For current events sessions, members are encouraged to review the latest editions of the Council’s weekly world news review: 7in7
Looking forward to seeing all who can make it.

Members' Coffee and Discussion (Virtual) - Thursday, March 5th
2025-12-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Virtual session on zoom Thursday, March 5th, 2026 10am-11am.
Topic: Developments in the Middle East
Facilitator: Volunteers needed
After the February 19th session, members expressed an interest in sharing impressions and reactions to the speakers at last weekend’s Camden Conference, and/or the Consequences of Palestine conference the Maine Coalition for Palestine is hosting this Saturday (neither event was/is organized or sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Maine). As both conference organizers have extensive reading lists, we are not making any specific recommendations.
Members register HERE – Zoom link will be sent in confirmation email. Looking forward to seeing all who can make it.

Coffee and Discussion (In-Person) at Magno Terra in Yarmouth
2025-12-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme Dr, Yarmouth, ME, 04096
A monthly discussion of world events for members. In-person meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. Currently the group will be meeting at the Magno Terra Cafe in Yarmouth (#2 Delorme St – immediately to the right of exit 17 on 295 if you are coming from Portland).

Date & Time: December 18, 2025, from 10:00-11:00 AM
Place: Community Room – Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme St. Yarmouth, ME
Discussion leader: TBD
Proposed topic: The 2025 National Security Strategy

Stelzenmüller, C., and, O’Hanlon, M. E., et-al (2025, December 8). Breaking down Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy. Brookings.

REGISTER HERE OR ABOVE.

SPECIAL FOR MEMBERS: WEBINAR ON US ACTIONS IN VENEZUELA
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
U.S. Actions in Venezuela
THURSDAY, January 8, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 PM via zoom
Members Only | Chatham House Rules | Not Recorded
The U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro marks the largest American military intervention in Latin America since Panama in 1989. What does this mean for U.S. national security and our relations with other countries in the region? Who and how will Venezuela be governed in the short and long term? And what comes next for Venezuela and its people? We’ve organized this members-only Rapid Response Webinar to help you understand what just happened and what comes next. Our guest is a former senior U.S. official with deep expertise on Latin America, the Caribbean, and U.S. national security policy. This session will be conducted under Chatham House Rules and will not be recorded, allowing for candid, off-the-record conversation.

NOTE: confirmed members will receive the zoom link via email.

SPECIAL FOR MEMBERS: The 2025 National Security Strategy – What It Means for 2026
2026-01-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Members-Only Webinar: The 2025 National Security Strategy – What It Means for 2026
Members-Only Webinar: The 2025 National Security Strategy – What It Means for 2026 Wednesday, January 14 | 7:00–8:00 PM | Members Only
The Trump administration’s 2025 National Security Strategy puts the Western Hemisphere at the center of U.S. foreign policy—and recent events suggest they mean it. What else does this strategy prioritize? What does it say about our relations in different parts of the world? How does it break from previous administrations? And what should we expect in 2026? Join WAC207 President Sarah Dawn Petrin, acclaimed author and humanitarian, and Vice President Christopher E. Barr, former staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for a members-only discussion unpacking this consequential document and its implications for the year ahead. This session will not be recorded.

NOTE: confirmed members will receive the zoom link via email.

Coffee and Discussion (In-Person) at Magno Terra in Yarmouth
2026-01-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme Dr, Yarmouth, ME, 04096
A monthly discussion of world events for members. In-person meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. Currently the group will be meeting at the Magno Terra Cafe in Yarmouth (#2 Delorme St – immediately to the right of exit 17 on 295 if you are coming from Portland).

Date & Time: January 15, from 10:00-11:00 AM
Place: Community Room – Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme St. Yarmouth, ME
Discussion leader: TBD
Proposed topic: TBD
REGISTER HERE OR ABOVE.

Community Event: AFIO January Meeting "the Rise of Xi Jinping"
2026-01-17 08:00 - 17:00
AFIO MEETING: January 17, 2026
2:00 p.m.
“Bathed in Red: Revolution, Corruption, and the Rise of Xi Jinping”
The Maine Chapter of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) will meet on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Kennebunk High School Economos Lecture Hall, 89 Fletcher St., Kennebunk, ME. The meeting is open to the public.
Our speaker will be Dr. Christopher Heurlin, Associate Professor of Government and Legal Studies and Associate Professor of Asian Studies at Bowdoin College. Dr. Heurlin is the author of Responsive Authoritarianism in China (Cambridge University Press, 2016) and the forthcoming The Enduring Power of Communism (Oxford University Press, 2026).
Dr. Heurlin’s presentation “Bathed in Red: Revolution, Corruption, and the Rise of Xi Jinping” will examine how Xi Jinping emerged as China’s paramount leader and consolidated power within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Drawing on existing scholarship, Dr. Heurlin will discuss how senior leaders are selected and promoted within the CCP, the role of factional politics—including Populists, Elitists, and Princelings—and how revolutionary family legacies continue to shape elite politics. He will also explore the use of anti-corruption campaigns as a key tool in Xi’s consolidation of authority.
This talk will provide the context for understanding contemporary Chinese politics and leadership dynamics at a time when China plays an increasingly central role in global affairs.
AFIO members, guests, and prospective members are welcome to attend. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation.
We look forward to seeing you on January 17.
PLEASE NOTE: For information on the event, please contact the organizers directly!
https://www.afiomaine.net/

Weeknight Webinar: Global Trade Flows and U.S. Economic Policy
2026-01-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Join us on Tuesday, January 21st from 7:00-8:00 PM EST for an evening webinar with Karthik Sankaran, Senior Research Fellow in the Geoeconomics Global South Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
As the new administration reshapes America’s economic engagement with the world, understanding the shifting landscape of trade policy has never been more important. In this timely discussion, Dr. Sankaran will explore the intersection of economic policy and foreign policy, examining how tariffs, sanctions, investment strategies, and targeted financial interventions are transforming U.S. relationships with nations around the globe—particularly in the Global South.
Whether you’re a policy professional, business leader, educator, or simply someone trying to make sense of today’s rapidly changing economic landscape, this webinar offers essential context for understanding where U.S. economic policy is headed and what it means for Maine and the world.
This webinar is open to the public and will be recorded. Free for WAC207 members and Maine students; suggested donation of $15 for the general public.

Learn more about Karthik Sankaran’s work at the Quincy Institute: https://quincyinst.org/author/karthik-sankaran/

Great Decisions 2026 Evening Keynote Series: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership
2026-02-05 17:00 - 2026-03-05 19:30 | Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedfort St, Portland, ME, 04104, United States
Great Decisions 2026 Evening Keynote Series
The Future of U.S. Global Leadership
A six part series on the future of U.S. Foreign Policy
What does the future hold for American foreign policy? Join the World Affairs Council of Maine for six evenings of in-depth insight on the most pressing global challenges facing the United States today. From the U.S.-China relationship to the war in Ukraine, from trade policy to nuclear proliferation, this series brings world-class speakers to Portland to help us make sense of a rapidly changing world. Each evening includes a networking reception, keynote address, and audience Q&A.
Series Schedule:
February 5 – US–China Relations Sean Stein, President, US–China Business Council
February 12 – Ukraine & the Future of European Security Mariana Budjeryn, Senior Research Associate, Harvard Belfer Center
March 5 – Tariffs, Foreign Policy, & the Future of the World Economy Andreas Waldkirch, Mitchell Family Professor of Economics, Colby College
March 26 – U.S. & Africa Michelle Lenihan, Deputy Commissioner, Maine DVEM (former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs) and Matthew T. Page, Associate Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House
April 2 – Ruptured Alliances & the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation Heather Williams, Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security, CSIS
May 16 – Democracy & the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy Ambassador (ret.) Derek Mitchell, Senior Adviser to the President and Asia Program, CSIS

Event Details:
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (all sessions) Location: Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedford Street, Portland
Schedule for Each Evening:

5:30 PM – 6:15 PM: Networking Reception with light refreshments
6:15 PM – 7:30 PM: Keynote Address and Q&A

Save by registering for the full series! Individual event tickets also available.

Series Pass (All 6 Events)

WAC207 Members
$60

General Public
$75

MAINE STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS FREE!
Reserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy.

Reminder emails: Series pass holders will receive a reminder email before each session with event details and any updates.
If you have any questions or need to modify your registration, please contact us at memberservices@wacmaine.org.
We look forward to seeing you throughout the spring as we explore the future of U.S. global leadership together. Thank you for your commitment to informed global citizenship!

U.S.-China Relations
2026-02-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedfort St, Portland, ME, 04104, United States
Great Decisions 2026 Keynote Lecture Series: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership
U.S.-China Relations
with Sam Stein, President of the U.S. China Business Council
February 5, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM, 34 Bedford Street. Portland
What’s at stake for American business and diplomacy as the U.S.-China relationship enters a new era? Sean Stein brings nearly three decades of diplomatic experience—including service as U.S. Consul General in Shanghai and Shenyang—combined with deep expertise advising multinational corporations on navigating the world’s most consequential bilateral relationship. As president of the US-China Business Council, he represents more than 270 American companies operating in China and advocates for balanced engagement between the two economic superpowers. Join us for an insider’s perspective on the future of U.S.-China relations.Great Decisions is the largest and longest-running discussion program on foreign policy in the Unite States, offered locally by the World Affairs Council of Maine since 1980. Thanks to the generous support of our Global Benefactor “Coffee by Design,” we are offering a public lecture series in addition to our regular discussion series co-hosted with the Falmouth Memorial Library.
This inaugural public lecture of our 2026 Great Decisions Series. The series will delve into pressing global challenges and the decisions shaping the United States’ future role on the world stage.
📅 Date: February 5, 2026
📍 Location: Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedford Street, Portland
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7.30
Reserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy.
Tickets:
$12 for members
$20 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE

Ukraine & the Future of European Security
2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedfort St, Portland, ME, 04104, United States
Great Decisions 2026 Keynote Lecture Series: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership
Ukraine & the Future of European Security
with Mariana Budjeryn, Senior Research Associate, Harvard Belfer Center.​ Moderated by Prof. Rebecca Davis-Gibbons

February 12, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM, 34 Bedford Street. Portland
How did Ukraine come to possess—and then relinquish—the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal, and what does that history tell us about European security today? Mariana Budjeryn is the author of Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine, winner of the 2024 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Award. A native of Ukraine and one of the world’s leading experts on post-Soviet nuclear history, she brings unparalleled insight into the forces shaping the war in Ukraine and the future of the European security order.
📅 Date: February 12, 2026
📍 Location: Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedford Street, Portland
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7.30
Reserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy.
Tickets:
$10 for members
$15 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE

Coffee and Discussion (In-Person) at Magno Terra in Yarmouth
2026-02-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme Dr, Yarmouth, ME, 04096
A monthly discussion of world events for members. In-person meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. Currently the group will be meeting at the Magno Terra Cafe in Yarmouth (#2 Delorme St – immediately to the right of exit 17 on 295 if you are coming from Portland).

Date & Time: February 19th, from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
Place: Community Room – Magno Terra Cafe, 2 Delorme St. Yarmouth, ME
Discussion leader: Ghomri Rostampour
Proposed topic: The World Economy and Inflation
Readings:

Americans for Prosperity. (2026, February 13). Lowest inflation rate in over a year shows the economy is moving in the right direction. Americans for Prosperity. https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/lowest-inflation-rate-in-over-a-year-shows-the-economy-is-moving-in-the-right-direction/
International Monetary Fund. (2026, January). World Economic Outlook Update, January 2026: Global economy: Steady amid divergent forces. IMF. https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo/issues/2026/01/19/world-economic-outlook-update-january-2026
Council on Foreign Relations. (n.d.). Global inflation tracker. https://www.cfr.org/trackers/global-inflation-tracker
Deloitte. (n.d.). Weekly global economic update. Deloitte Insights. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/economy/global-economic-outlook/weekly-update.html
The Economist. (2025, October 8). Why Donald Trump’s tariffs are failing to break global trade. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/10/08/why-donald-trumps-tariffs-are-failing-to-break-global-trade

REGISTER HERE OR ABOVE.
