Global Dynamics

Angela Stent served as an adviser on Russia under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and maintains close ties with key policymakers in both Russia and the United States. Here, she argues that the same contentious issues — terrorism, missile defense, Iran, nuclear proliferation, Afghanistan, the former Soviet space, the greater Middle East — have been in every president's inbox, Democrat and Republican alike, since the collapse of the USSR. Stent vividly describes how Clinton and Bush sought inroads with Russia and staked much on their personal ties to Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin--only to leave office with relations at a low point--and how Barack Obama managed to restore ties only to see them undermined by a Putin regime resentful of American dominance and determined to restore Russia's great power status. Angela Stent, Steve Clemons

By 2030, no country is likely to be a globally hegemonic power, and four megatrends will have shaped international relations: accelerated individual empowerment; the continued rebalancing of the (economic) world; novel and diverging demographic patterns; and scarcity and uncertainty in global resources. Multinational companies — as well as multilateral organizations (World Bank, IMF) and NGOs — are growing in size and influence, operating beyond country borders. This has been true for the last 20 years, but what is coming for the next 20? What are both business and government doing to prepare for this new world? How are these megatrends manifesting themselves in the world today? Zein Abdalla, Nicholas Burns, Mitch Barns, Joan Dempsey, Dalia Mogahed

As corporations expand into international markets, they are facing an ever-increasing risk of losing intellectual property and trade secrets. In many cases, foreign intelligence services of China or Russia have infiltrated these enterprises, exploiting cyber vulnerabilities to collect sensitive US corporate economic and technology information. When these countries succeed in placing insider threats within an organization or corporate networks, they can threaten not just assets but also reputation, commercial and military competitive advantage and financial viability. According to the Obama Administration, the Chinese are most interested in stealing the secrets – or “crown jewels” -- that every company bets their business on and strives to protect. These exploitations cost the US economy $250 billion annually and companies with large or growing international presence are aggressively working to manage this risk. Questions addressed: What technologies are available to counter this threat? How is this affecting the global supply chain? Is this not only an economic challenge -- but also one of national sec rity -- because it impacts US defense systems? Where are companies who operate overseas most at risk? Will companies start taking on defense measures on their own and what are those implications? Mike McConnell, Mark Penn, Kevin Delaney, Melody Hildebrandt

A discussion between Jeffrey Goldberg and the former Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren. Jeffrey Goldberg, Michael B. Oren

The United States is pursuing a robust, 21st century trade agenda. Between the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), the US is seeking to create free trade with countries representing two thirds of global GDP. Join US Trade Representative Michael Froman for a discussion of what these trade agreements mean for jobs, growth, and US competitiveness in an increasingly globalized economy. Michael Froman, Steve Clemons

Mike Mullen interviewed by Jeffrey Goldberg. .

Will Syria resolve itself? Might Egypt erupt yet again into bloody conflict? Might 2024 see a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, now 66 years old? Will diplomacy avert a military conflict with Iran over nuclear weapons? Marwan Muasher, Anne-Marie Slaughter, Steve Clemons, George Mitchell

Andrew Ross Sorkin talks about liberty and National Security for the US in the future.

The South and East China Seas? Persian Gulf? North Korea? Michael B. Oren, James Steinberg, Strobe Talbott, Jeffrey Goldberg, and Jane Harman are on the panel discussing this issue.

How will the world deal with its geopolitical dynamics? Will we get together on climate, water, terrorism, and security? Can we shape our own history? Philip Zelikow, Anne-Marie Slaughter, Robert D. Kaplan, Richard Wilhelm

Russia — is it a rising or declining Great Power? Where will it be ten years from now? Strobe Talbott, Angela Stent, Fiona Hill, Nicholas Burns

The Arab Spring began three and a half years ago. Where will the revolutionary cycle be in a decade? Will Egypt be a democracy or still a dictatorship? What impact will the Syrian Civil War have had on the Levant? Will Israel and the Palestinians be at peace? Anne-Marie Slaughter, Shadi Hamid, Dalia Mogahed, Jeffrey Goldberg

Can the kinds of 21st century networks that connect the private sector, NGOs, government, and individuals address wicked problems (climate, disease, water, poverty) in ways that traditional institutions can not? Through the Global Solutions Network, Don Tapscott, renowned for his insights to the digital revolution. is leading significant research to how multi-stakeholder, self-governing networks are transforming our approach to global problems. Don Tapscott featured here.

What does the future of American foreign policy hold with regard to the Middle East wars, challenges with China, and the crisis with Russia? Richard Haass is the speaker here.

Martin Indyk and Jeffrey Goldberg discuss Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations.

US-Russian relations have reached one of their lowest points since the end of the Cold War. Michael McFaul, former ambassador to Russia and author of such books as Russia’s Unfinished Revolution, will shed light on the tenuous relationship between Moscow and Washington. As Russia and the US face off over Ukraine, can they continue to cooperate on Syria and Iran? Michael McFaul

The Ukraine's political crisis has placed it at the forefront of global tensions. In the aftermath of its recent presidential elections, Ukraine remains in a tenuous state of transition, politically divided, occupied, and with Russia still intent on controlling its domestic and foreign policy. How will Ukraine respond to increasing energy prices and pressures from Russia? Who are Ukraine’s allies, and how will they ultimately develop a strategy to manage Putin, and potentially two bears if China backs Russia? How do Ukrainians view the role of the US as the Ukrainian crisis takes on global dimensions? What are the global implications of the Ukrainian crisis? Vitaliy Sych, Viktoria Siumar, Thomas L. Friedman

It is estimated by Walk Free that 30 million men, women and children are held in forced labor and servitude. It is a $32 billion business and growing. The fight against slavery and human trafficking is a cultural, ethical, and moral imperative for all businesses to insure there are no slaves or forces labor workers in the supply chain. In the age of professed transparency and the ways in which fundamental human rights are being challenged, it is critical that businesses take a stand against profits coming from any sort of human trafficking. By cutting off the revenue and supply chain at a business level you cut off the ability of those who enslave and traffic to make a living on the back of others. Martina Vandenberg, Monique Villa, Pamela Reeves

Thomas Friedman in conversation with Salam Fayyad, Former Prime Minister, Palestinian National Authority.