World Affairs Council of Maine

Coffee and Discussion (Virtual)
2025-05-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-02-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-01-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-12-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | ME
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

Special Event: Exploring the world through art and wine!
2025-04-24 17:30 - 20:00 | Thos. Moser Freeport Showroom & Gallery, 149 Main St, Freeport, ME, 04302
Join us to sample a unique selection of wines from the Mediterranean basin with New York wine critic Jamal Rayyis. This special evening is being hosted for the World Affairs Council at Thos. Moser’s Freeport Showroom & Gallery, in conjunction with their exhibit “My Other Place: Maine Artists Explore the World.”
The evening will include eight tasting flights paired with appetizers that highlight the unique flavors of the regions that inspired the artworks in the exhibit. Our special guest will guide us through his specially curated selection and share the stories of the places and the people behind the labels. Places are limited!
TICKETS: $100 ($175 for 2) Includes eight tasting flights with paired appetizers, plus a welcome beverage.

All proceeds will support our educational outreach and public diplomacy programming. Flight sponsors will receive a complimentary bottle of wine.
Make an advance bid by emailing info@wacmaine.org – put Silent Auction in the subject line

Coffee and Discussion (In-Person)
2025-04-17 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-01-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-11-21 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

From Yerevan to Jerusalem with Ambassador Edward Djerejian
2025-04-02 17:00 - 19:00 | University of Southern Maine, 102 Wishcamper, 34 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join the Armenian Cultural Association for an insightful discussion on the evolving geopolitical relationships between Armenia and the broader
Middle East. The conversation will examine Armenia’s strategic challenges, the balance of power in the region, and efforts to prevent further hostility and instability.
Speakers
The Honorable Edward P. Djerejian
Former US Ambassador Djeredjian served 8 US Presidents from John F. Kennedy to William Clinton. He recently served at the head of the Baker Center in Houston, Texas and during his tenure served as Ambassador to Syria and Israel. Currently, Ambassador Djeredjian is a Senior Fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a project on Middle East Policy.
Anthony Barsamian
Anthony Barsamian is former Chairman and Trustee of the Armenian Assembly of America and Managing Partner at Hutchins Barsamian Mandelcorn, LLP.

Great Decisions 2025: Library Discussion Series
2025-03-25 15:00 - 16:30 | ME
2025 Great Decisions Library Discussion Series
Great Decisions is the largest and longest-running discussion program on foreign policy in the United States. Each year, the Foreign Policy Association selects eight critical foreign policy issues facing the United States and invites the public to discuss them within their community – however defined. To support the conversation, the Foreign Policy Association also commissions an annual briefing book with essays by noted experts on the selected topics. The World Affairs Council of Maine has organized an annual Great Decisions discussion session since 1980 – most recently in partnership with the Falmouth Memorial Library. Each session is led by a Council member with expertise or interest in the topic who will guide participants through the questions outlined in the briefing book. Participants are also encouraged to complete the annual ballot at the end of the series.
This year’s series begins Tuesday, March 25th, and continues through May 13th.

This year, the Foreign Policy Association has selected the following topics. The order of topics and session facilitators will be announced before the first session. Registration is for the eight-part series.

U.S. Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy
U.S. China Relations
India: Between China, the West, and the Global South
International Cooperation on Climate Change
The Future of NATO and European Security
AI and American National Security
U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East after Gaza

How do I participate?

There is no cost to participate in the series, although registration is limited to facilitate discussion. Please sign up as soon as possible, but no later than March 18th. Participants should obtain a copy of the 2025 Briefing Book* from the Foreign Policy Association HERE (eBook versions HERE). Review each chapter in advance of the session, as well as the session glossaries. There will be two copies available for in-library use at the Falmouth Memorial Library courtesy of the World Affairs Council of Maine. *Series sponsors will receive a complimentary copy (see below).
Note: the Foreign Policy Association no longer produces documentary-style videos to accompany the briefing book. They do offer a pre-recorded “Master Class” lecture by Professor Jeffrey S. Morton, Florida Atlantic University for each topic that can be purchased through VIMEO. Recordings of the World Affairs Council of Maine’s public lecture series will also be available at wacmaine.org and on Channel 5.

*Series sponsors and World Affairs premium members will receive a complimentary copy of the briefing book upon request. Please contact Allison Hodgkins, at ahodgkins@wacmaine.org to request yours.

Nuclear Weapons: U.S. Politics, Activism, and Global Views
2025-03-21 18:00 - 19:30 | University of Southern Maine, 102 Wishcamper, 34 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Nuclear Weapons: U.S. Politics, Activism, and Global Views
Dr. Stephen Herzog
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Dr. Lauren Sukin
London School of Economics and Political Science
Nuclear weapons are gaining renewed salience amidst the war in Ukraine and growing tensions among nuclear-armed states. At the same time, a global movement of governments and activists is promoting a treaty banning nuclear weapons, which currently boasts membership of 73 countries. How do we understand global nuclear politics in 2025? How is public opinion responding to current nuclear trends? Can current activist strategies to change public opinion about nuclear weapons work in this difficult climate? Please join experts Dr. Herzog and Dr. Sukin for a presentation and discussion of nuclear weapons, anti-nuclear activism, and global public opinion. This promises to be an interesting conversation featuring important new data and research.
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Location: Wishcamper 133, Portland Campus
All are welcome, if possible, please RSVP to rebecca.gibbons@maine.edu

This session is cancelled:Coffee and Discussion (In-Person)
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth, ME, 04105, United States
CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF REGISTRATION.

Greenland Navigates: Autonomy, Climate, and U.S. Foreign Policy
2025-03-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Bernstein-Shur, 100 Middle St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Great Decisions 2025: U.S. Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
Greenland Navigates: Autonomy, Climate, and U.S. Foreign Policy
On March 11, 2025, Greenlanders head to the polls in the face of growing demands for independence and repeated calls from President Trump to bring the self-governing territory under U.S. control. How will the outcome shape the future of the world’s largest island? Join us Tuesday, March 18th to hear renowned scholars Amanda Lynch and Charles Norchi explore Greenland’s delicate balancing act amidst its own aspirations for self-determination, increased geopolitical competition in the Arctic, and a rapidly changing climate.
https://www.jonaa.org/content/as-greenland-decides
Our Speakers:
Charles H. Norchi is the Benjamin Thompson Professor of Law in the University of Maine School of Law, Visiting Professor in the Climate Change Institute of the University of Maine and the Institute for the Environment at Brown University, Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences, Co-Chair of the International Institute for Law, Science and Policy (Geneva, Switzerland), Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, member of the Arctic Council of the Hague Initiative for Global Justice and member of the World Affairs Council of Maine Advisory Board. Dr. Norchi has published widely on international law, international security, the Arctic and Afghanistan.
Amanda H. Lynch is the Sloan Lindemann and George Lindemann, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Environment and Society, Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Brown University, Visiting Professor in the Climate Change Institute of the University of Maine and Visiting Scholar in the University of Maine School of Law. A pioneering climate scientist, she developed the first Arctic regional climate system model and has published extensively on climate science and policy, with a focus on polar regions. Dr. Lynch Chairs the Research Board of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
📅 Date: TUESDAY March 18, 2025
📍 Location: Glickman Family Room, Glickman Library, USM Portland
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7:30
Tickets:
$15 for members
$20 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE

Greenland Navigates: Autonomy, Climate, and U.S. Foreign Policy
2025-03-18 17:30 - 19:30 | ME

The Future of NATO and European Security, Adm. (ret) Greg Johnson and Dr. Sonja Kreibich,
2025-03-05 17:30 - 20:00 | Bernstein-Shur, 100 Middle St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Great Decisions 2025: U.S. Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
The Future of NATO and European Security
with
Adm. (ret) Greg Johnson and Dr. Sonja Kreibich,
Join us for the third public lecture of our 2025 Great Decisions program: “The Future of NATO and European Security,” featuring Admiral (ret.) Greg Johnson and Dr. Sonja Kreibich of the German Consulate. Admiral Johnson, with his extensive naval career and strategic expertise, will offer invaluable insights into NATO’s evolving role in maintaining global security. His firsthand experience in military operations and international cooperation will provide a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the alliance. Dr. Sonja Kreibich, representing the German Consulate, brings a crucial European viewpoint. Her diplomatic background and deep understanding of European security issues will illuminate the continent’s evolving defense strategies and the importance of transatlantic cooperation in an era of geopolitical uncertainty.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain profound insights into the future of European security and NATO’s pivotal role in maintaining global stability.
📅 Date: March 5, 2025
📍 Location: Bernstein-Shur, 100 Middle Street, Portland
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 8:00
Tickets:
$15 for members
$20 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE

Maine Jewish Film Festival
2025-03-01 17:00 - 2025-03-09 16:00, 2025-03-01 08:00 - 17:00 | ME
The annual Maine Jewish Film Festival will take place from March 1-9. This year’s lineup includes a Colombian documentary about a community of orthodox Jewish converts in Cali, a French legal docudrama, a documentary about a renowned Polish painter who is still in the news today, an Israeli documentary about a Dutch philosopher, a documentary about an Indian boy who wants to become a dancer, and a documentary focused on how to find human connection in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Full details, schedule, and tickets at www.mjff.org.
This is a community event shared to encourage global engagement in Maine. Please contact the organizers directly for questions or assistance. #MaineisGlobal!

CANCELLED: Coffee and Discussion (In-Person)
2025-02-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth, ME, 04105, United States
Due to insufficient registration, this session must be cancelled. Please join us at the next on-line session on March 6th

Greenland: Reshaping Arctic Diplomacy and US Strategy
2025-02-19 08:00 - 17:00 | ME
Great Decisions 2025: US Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
Greenland: Reshaping Arctic Diplomacy and US Strategy
Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: TBD

Join the World Affairs Council of Maine for the fourth event in our 2025 Great Decisions Series, “US Foreign Policy at a Crossroads.” As climate change transforms the Arctic landscape, Greenland has become a focal point of international attention. Its strategic location, vast natural resources, and evolving political status present both challenges and opportunities for US diplomacy and global security. This timely discussion will explore the complex dynamics shaping Greenland’s future and its impact on global affairs, particularly U.S. foreign policy and Arctic cooperation.

Featured Speakers:
Charles H. Norchi, JD, LLM, JSD
Benjamin Thompson Professor of Law, University of Maine School of Law
Director, Center for Oceans & Coastal Law

Professor Norchi is an expert in international law and Arctic policy. His extensive experience includes serving as the Fulbright-Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arctic Scholar in Iceland and advising on ocean and coastal law issues worldwide.

Amanda H. Lynch, PhD
Sloan and George Lindemann Jr. Distinguished Professor of Environment and Society, Brown University
Chair, Research Board of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization

Professor Lynch is a leading atmospheric scientist specializing in Arctic climate systems. Her groundbreaking work includes developing the first Arctic regional climate system model and exploring the interplay between climate science and environmental governance.

Our distinguished speakers will address:

Greenland’s evolving role in Arctic geopolitics

The impact of climate change on regional dynamics

US policy challenges and opportunities in the High North

The future of international cooperation in the Arctic

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into one of the most pressing issues in contemporary international relations. We look forward to your participation in this engaging and informative discussion.
📅 Date: March 19, 2025
📍 Location: TBD
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7:30
Tickets:
$15 for members
$20 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE

U.S.-China Relations with Susan Thornton
2025-02-06 17:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Great Decisions 2025: U.S. Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
NOW ONLINE — U.S. – China Relations
with Susan Thornton
Join us for a compelling evening as the 2025 Great Decisions program continues with an insightful lecture on “US-China Relations” by Susan Thornton, former Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, moderated by a distinguished expert in the field. Susan Thornton, a seasoned diplomat with over 25 years of experience in Eurasia and East Asia, will delve into the complexities of the US-China relationship in an era of increasing global competition. Drawing on her extensive diplomatic career and deep understanding of East Asian affairs, Thornton will offer unique perspectives on navigating one of the most critical bilateral relationships in today’s geopolitical landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of US-China relations and their impact on the global order. Join us in shaping the conversation on this pivotal international relationship and be part of the dialogue that influences the future of U.S. foreign policy in Asia and beyond.
📅 Date: February 6, 2025
📍 Location: ONLINE – Registered participants will receive a link via email
⏰ Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Tickets:
$15 for members
$20 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE

U.S. Foreign Policy at a Crossroads, with Secretary William S. Cohen
2025-01-29 17:30 - 20:00 | ME
U.S. Foreign Policy at a Crossroads
Featuring Secretary William S. Cohen
Moderated by: Sarah Dawn Petrin, World Affairs Council of Maine, Nonresident Senior Fellow Atlantic Council
Join the World Affairs Council of Maine for a thought-provoking evening with Secretary William S. Cohen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense (1997–2001), Senator (1979–1997), and Congressman (1973–1979). As Chairman of The Cohen Group, Secretary Cohen brings decades of experience and insight into the complexities of American foreign policy at this pivotal moment in history.
Moderated by Sarah Dawn Petrin, 2nd Vice President of the World Affairs Council of Maine and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, this event will be a unique opportunity to examine complex issues, ask questions, and connect with others passionate about understanding and shaping our world. The evening will begin with a short networking reception.
This inaugural public lecture of our 2025 Great Decisions Series, sponsored by Coffee by Design, our 2025 Global Benefactor. The series will delve into pressing global challenges and the decisions shaping the United States’ future role on the world stage.
📅 Date: January 29, 2025
📍 Location: Preti Flaherty, One City Center, Portland Maine
⏰ Time: 5:30 – 8:00
Reserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy.
Tickets:
$15 for members
$20 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE
REGISTER HERE

Weeknight Webinar: Navigating a Changing Middle East - The view from the Gulf
2024-12-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
With former British Ambassador Mr. Jon Wilks CMG, moderated by Allison Hodgkins
Join us for an insightful discussion with Mr. Jon Wilks CMG, a seasoned British diplomat with over three decades of experience in the Middle East, on the ways Saudi Arabia and other GCC states are adapting to the complex regional dynamics. The discussion will consider the impact of the on-going wars in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, as well as the consequences of the collapse of the Assad regime. Other topics will include Iran’s changing influence, Turkey’s expanding role, and diplomatic efforts to prevent the spread of conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. This webinar will be a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how these complex dynamics are reshaping the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape and the implications for regional stability and security.
Mr. Jon Wilks CMG is a distinguished British diplomat with over three decades of experience in the UK Diplomatic Service. His career has been marked by significant roles in the Middle East and North Africa, including ambassadorial positions in Qatar (2020-2023), Iraq (2017-2019), Oman (2014-2017), and Yemen (2010-2011) As a fluent Arabic speaker, Wilks has also served as the UK Special Representative for Syria (2012-2014) and Regional Arabic Spokesman (2007-2009). Ambassador Wilks’ expertise extends beyond traditional diplomacy. He has navigated complex geopolitical challenges, particularly in conflict zones, and has been instrumental in fostering UK relations with various Arab nations. He is currently the Azman Hashim Fellow in International Relations at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, where his research interests focus on the Middle East and North African affairs, conflict resolution, stabilization, and mediation. He holds a MPhil in International Relations from St Antony’s College, Oxford, and a MA in Middle East Politics from Durham University
His research interests focus on RSVP HERE
Weeknight Webinars are included in membership dues. Suggested donation for non-members is $15.

Syria: Coffee and Discussion (In-Person)
2024-12-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Falmouth Memorial Library, 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth, ME, 04105, United States
For this month’s in-person coffee, we will discuss events in Syria. 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.
Member’s Register HERE
Here are some suggested readings.

Team, B. T. V. J. (2024, December 13). Syria in maps: Who controls the country now Assad has gone?

MacFarquhar, N., & Scheck, J. (2024, December 15). How might the rebels govern Syria? Their ruling history in Idlib offers clues. The New York Times.

Statelet of Survivors. (2024.). Hardcover – Amy Austin Holmes – Oxford University Press.

We also recommend you tune into our upcoming Wednesday Night Webinar with Amy Austin Holmes!
REGISTER HERE

Weeknight Webinar: Syria in Transition
2024-12-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Join Dr. Amy Austin Holmes, a leading expert on Syria and author of “Statelet of Survivors,” for a critical discussion of the country’s dramatic transition following Assad’s fall. The conversation will draw on her seven years of field research in Northeast Syria and explore the challenges and opportunities of establishing governance and building an inclusive post-Assad state.
Dr. Holmes brings unique insights from her groundbreaking survey of over 400 Syrian Democratic Forces members and extensive research on governance models in Syria’s autonomous regions. This timely conversation will examine how Syria can navigate its complex transition while ensuring protection for its diverse communities.
Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Time: 7:00-8:00 PM
Platform: ZOOM
REGISTER HERE
For more context on governance in Syria, we recommend Dr. Holmes’ newly published book “Statelet of Survivors”

Dr. Amy Austin Holmes is an Instructional Associate Professor at Texas A&M University’s Bush School and author of three books on Middle Eastern politics and social movements.
Key Discussion Points

Models of inclusive governance from Northeast Syria’s autonomous region
Protection of religious and ethnic minorities under the new leadership
Turkey’s evolving role and influence in Syria’s political landscape
Prospects for decentralized governance and minority rights
Challenges of integrating different administrative models across Syria

Evening Extra: Contested Nuclear Taboo in the Third Nuclear Age
2024-11-21 17:30 - 19:00 | University of Southern Maine, 102 Wishcamper, 34 Bedford St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Over the past decade, there have been growing concerns that the renewed great power competition and the increasing salience of nuclear weapons in world politics could eventually lead to the erosion of the international norm against the use of nuclear weapons – the “nuclear taboo.” Join students and faculty with the Department of Political Science to hear Prof. Michael Smenta discuss his new book on how the normative prohibition against using nuclear weapons persists in world politics and may have been reaffirmed by the world’s response to Moscow’s saber-rattling in Ukraine. Rebecca Davis Gibbons, Associate Professor of Political Science at USM, will moderate the discussion.
With Professor Michal Smetana, Director of the Peace Research Center Prague (PRCP), moderated by Prof. Rebecca Davis Gibbons. Co-sponsored by The World Affairs Council of Maine. This event is free and open to the public.
Please register HERE

Mixing West African Traditional Sounds and American R&B
2024-11-13 19:00 - 21:00 | State Theatre, 609 Congress St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with fourteen albums and innumerable accolades to her name. Time Magazine calls her “Africa’s premier diva” and named her one of the most influential people in the world. Kidjo cross-pollinates the West African traditional sounds of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. Her striking voice, stage presence and fluency in multiple cultures and languages have won respect from her peers and expanded her following across national borders. An internationally recognized humanitarian, the BBC, Forbes, and The Guardian have all highlighted her importance to the people of the African continent and beyond.

Global Stakes with Local Ties: Diverse Perspectives on the Election and Foreign Policy
2024-10-24 17:30 - 20:00 | Glickman Family Library, 314 Forest Ave, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us October 24th for our third, annual Fall Foreign Policy Forum: Global Stakes with Local Ties.

Will foreign policy be a factor in this year’s election? Conventional wisdom says U.S. voters decide on domestic issues – like jobs and the economy, and put little stock in things happening “far from home.” At the same time, we live in an interconnected world and for many in our community “far from home” can feel close to home as well. In fact, more polls are showing likely voters listing listing foreign policy issues among their top concerns. For this year’s Forum, we’ve invited a diverse panel of community leaders to explore how Mainers are thinking about the intersection of foreign policy and the November election. Take part in an important conversation on the ways critical issues like climate, trade policies, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and immigration are impacting our communities and how they may influence the vote.
Invited panelists include: Tae Chong, Eisha Khan, Mike Rurenza Mfashingabo, and Julie Trujillo Luengo; moderated by Sarah Petrin
We will also hear from Maine Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, on the importance of voter participation for shaping policy at home and abroad. State Representative Deqa Dhalac and Portland City Councilor Pious Ali will also offer opening and closing remarks.
REGISTER HERE
Share your thoughts on foreign policy and the election. Take our pre-Forum survey!
