Charleston World Affairs Council

A conversation about a region in turmoil as the Administration upends traditional international relations and the functioning of our diplomatic corps.

The president of the American Foreign Service Association on the challenges facing our diplomats in a time of unprecedented change and the rewards of a diplomatic career

A conversation with Liza Tobin on the strategic economic competition and rivalry between the U.S. and China as we transition to a new administration.

A leading expert on Russia shares a unique insight into Vladimir Putin's perspective on Russian history, its place in the world, and how he thinks about other great powers.

The next President faces extraordinary international challenges, including regional conflict, great power jockeying, and decisions about America's place in the world. Council members with distinguished foreign service careers provide a unique perspective.

One of the world's leading experts on terrorism and insurgency provides an insightful update on this global threat.

One of the world's foremost experts in demographic trends explores the changing nature, shape, size and movement of global populations, one of the vital questions of our time.

Recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea—launched by the Houthis in Yemen—are wreaking havoc on global trade. Drawing on his distinguished career with the State Dept., Al Thibault speaks about history, geography and geopolitical risk factors in a part of the world that has suddenly grabbed international attention.

Michael Miklaucic, the editor of the National Defense University journal PRISM, shares thoughts on current national and international security threats and what to do about them.

Christopher Day, professor of political science at the College of Charleston, a former relief worker with Doctors Without Border, and veteran observer of African politics, economy, and society offers his thoughts on this distinct and compelling region.

Rolf Mowatt-Larssen challenges us with his fasten your seatbelts presentation on the complex issue of intelligence in which he discusses spies, nukes, emerging science and technology, climate change and fake news.

Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne served as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina and as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs under three Secretaries of State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Deputy Ambassador in Afghanistan. Ambassador Wayne is presently Distinguished Diplomat in Residence at American University in Washington, DC, and holds senior positions at the Wilson Center, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the Atlantic Council. 

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope discusses what he considers China's two Achilles Heel issues--water and food.

A young woman arrested for taking off her hijab (mandatory head covering for woman) dies in police custody. The backlash, especially women, has rattled religious leaders. In addition, Iran is supplying drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine. Iran's nuclear program is moving ahead. U.S. and western sanctions have crippled the economy. Is Iran's regime in trouble. Charleston World affairs Council Program Chairman Al Thibault discusses challenges facing the No. 1 troublemaker in the Middle East. 

U. S. Institute of Peace analysts Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle-Anderson discuss Washington's concern over China's aggressive outreach into the Pacific Island region.

World Affairs Council of Charleston member and retired senior diplomat Al Thibault discusses the always volatile and ever-changing situation in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Retired senior US diplomat and World Affairs Council of Charleston member Jon Gundersen who has extensive experience working in Russia and Ukraine explains, updates, and offers 'indicators' to follow regarding the Russia/Ukraine war.

Brian Norris, Professor of Political Science at Lincoln University of Missouri, discusses his recent Fulbright Future Scholars Grant wherein over three years he will study rural development programs in Colombia and Mozambique. Dr. Norris will also discuss his recent visit to Colombia where he monitored the presidential election and reviewed the current economic situation in light of some two million Venezuelan refugees now in Colombia. 

Retired senior US diplomats, Ambassador William Courtney (Moscow, Kazakhstan, and Georgia), and Jon Gundersen  (Moscow, Ukraine, and Estonia) discuss the current Ukraine/Russia crisis--how it came about, where we stand now, and possible outcomes.

Christian Curriden, Rand Corp Defense Analyst discusses how North Korea has moved from Pariah State to a major challenge.  Are there any viable options other than crossed fingers and hopes for the best?   

Immigration professional Gil Jacobs discusses current immigration issues--Afghanistan and Haitian refugees--in the light of US policy, politics, and the inscription on the base of the Statue of Liberty. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore." 

Ambassador Christopher Goldthwait discusses  'lessons learned' during his Government career and how he is now 'applying' those lessons as an entrepreneur in the international private sector.

World Affairs Council of Charleston member George Pope offers a primer on cyber currencies--Bitcoin for Beginners. Pope provides a basic overview on What are Bitcoins? Why is everyone so excited? Why should I care? 

World Affairs Council of Charleston President George Pope discusses the emerging and frightening international issue of rare earth elements which are essential to virtually all electronic systems and devices, the emerging renewable energy sector, and most importantly, the US National Security industrial sector. And, as it turns out, the rare earth market is controlled by a country which is not a particular friend of the US.

Strategies for International Development (SID) Executive Director Charles Patterson and Program Director Judith Russo discuss SID's  innovative 'farmer to farmer' approach to economic development in Guatemala.

World Affairs Council of Charleston resident South Asia expert Al Thibault discusses the farmer revolt in India. Initial protests by rice and wheat growers from northern India have now spread across the country while the federal government refuses to repeal recently passed ‘agricultural reform’ laws which impact nearly 15% of India's $2.9 trillion economy and about half its workforce.

Ruthie Ravenel of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty discusses the impact of the global Covid-19 Pandemic on local, national, and international residential real estate markets, and what 'indicators' real estate professionals will be following as we, emerge from the pandemic.

J. Huggins, Executive VP and Regional President of United Bank, discusses how his 'regional' financial institution is coping with, and preparing for the end of, the Covid-19 Pandemic--a fascinating insight into how, in all likelihood, financial institutions around the world are dealing with the same issue.

Dr. Brian Norris of Denison University discusses the impact of Bolivia's socialist Government and massive Chinese 'Belt and Road' investments on Bolivian relations with other Latin American countries, and with the the United States. Should we be worried?

The international world comes close to home as Tucker Morris of Morris Financial Concepts takes us through year-end considerations on taxes (positive news actually), portfolio management (rebalancing and taking tax losses as appropriate), and making sure our Estate Plan is up to date. 

Jonathan Hillman, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and director of the Reconnecting Asia Project, discusses his new book, The Emperor's New Road, which has been described as "the world's most ambitious and misunderstood geoeconomics vision."

When money speaks, conscience stays silent. (Russian proverb) Peter Wild has spent a career in anti-money laundering efforts. In this conversation, he provides an introductory primer into this $2 trillion a year criminal enterprise.

Dr. Melford Wilson, Vice President of Winthrop University, discusses his forty years of traveling and working in China, all of which is covered in his new book 'Here Comes China.'

Dr. Bryan Ganaway, College of Charleston Honors College Associate Dean, continues his presentations on WW I and its impact on our lives today, one hundred years later. In this discussion, Dr. Ganaway discusses China, Japan, and how WW I signaled the beginning-of-the-end of colonialism in South Asia.  

James Melville served as US Ambassador to Estonia 2015-2018 and is now Associate Dean at the Language, Culture, and World Affairs Department of The College of Charleston. In this podcast, Ambassador Melville discusses his Foreign Service career and the transition to Academia.

On June 15, hundreds of Chinese and Indian military clashed in brutal hand-to-hand combat on the disputed India/China border. Twenty India soldiers were killed. China has not announced casualties.   South Asia analyst and expert, Al Thibault, explains origins of the border dispute, offers an overview on ‘what we know’ about this incident, and discusses possibilities on ‘what happens now.’

Allan Mustard, US Ambassador to Turkmenistan (2015-2019), discusses the strategic importance of that country to US interests in Central Asia an offers insights into an "Ambassador's life"  in that country

Katherine Zimmerman, Resident Fellow of the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threat Project discusses  the tough decisions facing the U.S. policy establishment as the terrorist threat grows in Sub-Sahara West Africa. It is yet another terrorist related dilemma that involves ISIS, al Qaeda, Boko Haram, China, Russia, the European coalition led by France, and the Governments of the Africa countries affected. 

Bill Clifford, President and CEO of the World Affairs Councils of America, discusses the current and future programs and potentials.

Dr. Cynthia Arnson, Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC discusses Venezuela--a 60 percent economic collapse since 2013, a 90 percent poverty rate, and some four million citizens fleeing to neighboring countries--and what it means for the region, the US, and the world.

Greg Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington discusses China's island by island move into the South China Sea. Some analysts seek darkly of Beijing's long term ambitions. Should we be concerned?

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope recently attended the subject conference in Washington DC. Herein is his "trip report."

Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz discusses the Arctic, where due to climate change, the ice cap melts year by year. The result: new shipping lanes; interest in developing oil and mineral resources; opening ports on long frozen islands; expansion and possible militarization of existing ports. The changing Arctic thus has long-term national security implications as the U.S., Canada, Russia, China, Norway and Greenland/Denmark seek to solidify their presence. 

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope discusses the Kurds, the largest ethnic group in the Middle East, and perhaps the world, who don't have a country. Pope discusses Kurdish history and why the Kurds are always, seemingly, the odd man out in the Middle East.

Jarrett Blanc, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington D.C. discusses Afghanistan: After 18 years, could there be hope on the horizon on ending the 'Endless War' in Afghanistan? The Reality: Anything but Easy!  

The India Consul General from Atlanta, Dr. Swati V. Kulkarni, joins representatives from Indian companies, Novelis and Sundararm Clayton to discuss relationships between India and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. 

Mark Sloan of DTB Associates, a Washington based consulting firm specializing in agricultural and pharmaceutical issues, discusses the current status of the US-Mexico Trade Agreement and the US-Canada Trade Agreement--what's in these agreements for all sides, upcoming Congressional consideration, and what happens if Congress doesn't approve these agreements.

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope takes on the daunting task of explaining tariffs. What is a tariff? Who really pays the tariff? Do tariffs really work? What's going on with China and tariffs? Listen and learn! Become insufferable to friends and neighbors as you explain tariffs.  Enjoy!

Polly Nayak, a leading expert and author on the fragile India-Pakistan relationship, discusses the seventy-plus years of fraught relations between India and Pakistan which alternate between fragile peace and high tensions, and explains why 'trust' between the two countries has never existed. 

Climate change! Contentious upcoming elections! A China connection! As a matter fact, Mozambique, approximately twice the size of California located the southeast coast of Africa shares many issues and concerns with the Uniter States. Dr. Cary Manning of Georgia State University joins Dr. Brian Norris of the World Affairs Council of Charleston to discuss Mozambique.  

Dr. Bluford Putnam, Managing Director and Chief Economist of the CME Group of Chicago brings over 35 years of experience in identifying and evaluating global financial and trade issues to the vexing issue of Brexit. In this presentation, Dr. Putnam discusses Brexit backstory, current status, defining issues, conflicting personalities and their political calculations to explain what might happen next.