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SUMMARY:Iran\, Israel\, and the United States II: the view from Washington D.C.
DESCRIPTION:Iran\, Israel\, and the United States II: The View from Washington D.C.\nWith Elisa Catalano Ewers\, Adjunct Senior Fellow at RAND Corporation\, Principal with Scalare Advisors \nModerated by Christopher E. Barr\, Director\, World Affairs Council of Maine \nWednesday\, July 9 at 7 p.m. — via Zoom \nJoin 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. \nThe 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! \n \nAbout our Speakers\n\nElisa 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. \nIn 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. \nAs 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. \nShe 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. \nModerator: 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. \n\n \n 
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/iran-israel-and-the-united-states-ii-the-view-from-washington-d-c/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Weeknight Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacmaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/FY26-WEB-Iran-Ewers-Barr.png
ORGANIZER;CN="World Affairs Council of Maine":MAILTO:info@wacmaine.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250625T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250625T200000
DTSTAMP:20260525T191910
CREATED:20250624T154312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250624T193703Z
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SUMMARY:Iran\, Israel\, and the United States: Where are we and how did we get here?
DESCRIPTION:Iran\, Israel\, and the United States: Where are we and how did we get here?\nWednesday\, June 25\, 2025 \n7:00-8:00 PM via ZOOM \nWith Rebecca Davis Gibbons\, University of Southern Maine\, Harvard Belfer Center’s Project on Managing the Atom  \nAnd Sam Lair\, Research Associate\, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation\, \nModerated by Allison Hodgkins \nRegistration for members is covered by annual membership dues. Suggested donation for members of the general public $10. Registration for Maine Students is always FREE!
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/iran-israel-and-the-united-states-where-are-we-and-how-did-we-get-here/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Weeknight Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="World Affairs Council of Maine":MAILTO:info@wacmaine.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250206T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250206T200000
DTSTAMP:20260525T191910
CREATED:20250121T202527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250206T205137Z
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SUMMARY:U.S.-China Relations with Susan Thornton
DESCRIPTION:Great Decisions 2025: U.S. Foreign Policy at a Crossroads \nNOW ONLINE — U.S. – China Relations\nwith Susan Thornton\nJoin 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. \n📅 Date: February 6\, 2025\n📍 Location: ONLINE – Registered participants will receive a link via email\n⏰ Time: 6:00-7:30 PM \nTickets: \n$15 for members \n$20 non-members \nMaine Students FREE \nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/u-s-china-relations-with-susan-thornton/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Great Decisions
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241230T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241230T200000
DTSTAMP:20260525T191910
CREATED:20241211T221812Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241217T213342Z
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SUMMARY:Weeknight Webinar: Navigating a Changing Middle East - The view from the Gulf
DESCRIPTION:With former British Ambassador Mr. Jon Wilks CMG\, moderated by Allison Hodgkins \nJoin 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. \nMr. 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 \nHis research interests focus on RSVP HERE \nWeeknight Webinars are included in membership dues. Suggested donation for non-members is $15.
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/weeknight-webinar-developments-in-syria-and-iraq-and-their-impact-on-a-changing-region-with-ambassador-ret-jon-wilks-moderated-by-allison-hodgkins/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Weeknight Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="World Affairs Council of Maine":MAILTO:info@wacmaine.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241218T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241218T200000
DTSTAMP:20260525T191910
CREATED:20241215T150228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241215T150514Z
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SUMMARY:Weeknight Webinar: Syria in Transition
DESCRIPTION: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. \nDr. 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. \nDate: Wednesday\, December 18\, 2024\nTime: 7:00-8:00 PM\nPlatform: ZOOM \nREGISTER HERE\nFor more context on governance in Syria\, we recommend Dr. Holmes’ newly published book “Statelet of Survivors” \n \nDr. 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. \nKey Discussion Points\n\nModels of inclusive governance from Northeast Syria’s autonomous region\nProtection of religious and ethnic minorities under the new leadership\nTurkey’s evolving role and influence in Syria’s political landscape\nProspects for decentralized governance and minority rights\nChallenges of integrating different administrative models across Syria
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/weeknight-webinar-syria-in-transition/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Weeknight Webinar
ORGANIZER;CN="World Affairs Council of Maine":MAILTO:info@wacmaine.org
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