Pacific Council on International Policy

An installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, featuring Dr. Ashley Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, on the escalating India-China conflict. Featuring: Dr. Ashley Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Dr. Tellis specializes in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While on assignment to the U.S. Department of State as senior adviser to the undersecretary of State for political affairs, he was intimately involved in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India. Previously he was commissioned into the Foreign Service and served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. He also served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. He is the author of India’s Emerging Nuclear Posture and co-author of Interpreting China’s Grand Strategy: Past, Present, and Future. Moderator: Aseema Sinha, Wagener Family Professor of Comparative Politics and George R. Roberts Fellow, Claremont McKenna College Aseema Sinha is the Wagener Chair of South Asian Politics and George R. Roberts Fellow at Claremont McKenna College in California. She previously taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Background: India and China are not only the two most populous countries in Asia, but they are among the most populous countries and the fastest-growing major economies in the world. Despite the increasing need for economic and diplomatic ties, the nations are engaged in a conflict that looks increasingly tense by the day. What is the future of cooperation and competition between India and China? And what are the regional and global implications of fraught India-China relations? The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support and dedication to the Pacific Council.

Everyone's attention is on the U.S.-Mexico border with the latest seasonal "surge" of migrants, where border crossings climbed 28 percent in February. Last week, President Biden appointed Vice President Harris to oversee the stem of migration across the U.S.-Mexico border. What are sustainable policy solutions for the Biden administration along our southern border? And what are the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mounting humanitarian crisis? Join us for a discussion on the emerging migration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, featuring Essey Workie and Tom K. Wong with Melissa Floca moderating. Featuring: Essey Workie, Senior Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute Essey Workie is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where she works with its Human Services Initiative. Her work focuses on unaccompanied children, immigrant families, and access to local, state, and federal health and human service programs. Tom K. Wong, Associate Professor, Political Science & Founding Director, U.S. Immigration Policy Center at University of California, San Diego Tom K. Wong is an associate professor of political science and founding director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Center (USIPC) at the University of California, San Diego. He served as an advisor to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) under the Obama administration where he co-led the immigration portfolio and was recently appointed by Governor Gerry Brown to serve on the State of California 2020 Census Complete Count Committee (CCC). Moderator: Melissa Floca, Program Officer for Cross-Border Initiatives, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego Melissa Floca is the Program Officer for Cross-Border Initiatives at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (Kroc IPJ). In her role, she develops and oversees the portfolio of activities focused on creating a peaceful and inclusive border region.

An installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, on the state of human rights in China. Featuring: Kenneth Roth, Executive Director, Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth is the executive director of Human Rights Watch, one of the world's leading international human rights organizations, which operates in more than 90 countries. He has written extensively on a wide range of human rights abuses, devoting special attention to issues of international justice, counterterrorism, the foreign policies of the major powers, and the work of the United Nations. Moderator: Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Board Member, Human Rights Watch Kimberly Marteau Emerson is a lawyer, civic leader, and human rights advocate. She worked in the Clinton administration as a senior political appointee and spokesperson for the U.S. Information Agency, now part of the State Department. She serves on the Board of Directors of Human Rights Watch, the Advisory Board of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Pacific Council on International Policy. Opening remarks: Alicia Miñana, CEO, Law Offices of Alicia Miñana Background: According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2021, "the Chinese government’s authoritarianism was on full display in 2020 as it grappled with the deadly coronavirus outbreak first reported in Wuhan province. Authorities initially covered up news about the virus, then adopted harsh quarantine measures in Wuhan and other parts of China. The government has rejected international calls for independent, unfettered investigations into Chinese authorities’ handling of the outbreak, and surveilled and harassed families of those who died of the virus. "Beijing’s repression—insisting on political loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party—deepened across the country. In Hong Kong, following six months of large-scale protests in 2019, the Chinese government imposed a draconian “National Security Law” on June 30—its most aggressive assault on Hong Kong people’s freedoms since the transfer of sovereignty in 1997. In Xinjiang, Turkic Muslims continue to be arbitrarily detained on the basis of their identity, while others are subjected to forced labor, mass surveillance, and political indoctrination. In Inner Mongolia, protests broke out in September when education authorities decided to replace Mongolian with Mandarin Chinese in a number of classes in the region’s schools. "Chinese authorities’ silencing of human rights defenders, journalists, and activists, and restrictions on the internet, also make it difficult to obtain accurate information about Chinese government policies and actions." Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, will speak on these issues and more during the next installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China. The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support and dedication to the Pacific Council.

A keynote conversation featuring Robert Zoellick, World Bank president (2007-2012), U.S. Deputy Secretary of State (2005-2006), U.S. Trade Representative (2001-2005), and author of "America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy." This event is part of the Pacific Council's First 100 Days Memo on U.S.-Mexico Policy, offering policy recommendations to the Biden administration to strengthen U.S.-Mexico relations. Featuring: Robert Zoellick, Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Robert Zoellick is Senior Counselor at Brunswick Geopolitical, an advisory service of Brunswick Group, and a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. In addition, Zoellick serves on the boards of Temasek, Singapore’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, and Twitter, Inc., chairs the International Advisory Council of Standard Chartered Bank, and is on the Advisory Board of Swiss Re. He is a member of the boards of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the Carnegie Endowment, chairs the Global Tiger Initiative, and is a member of the Global Leadership Council of Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian agency. Zoellick was the President of the World Bank Group from 2007-12, U.S. Trade Representative from 2001 to 2005, and Deputy Secretary of State from 2005 to 2006. From 1985 to 1993, Zoellick served as Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury and Under Secretary of State, as well as White House Deputy Chief of Staff. He published his book, “America in the World: A History of US Diplomacy and Foreign Policy” in August 2020. Zoellick is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, the Department of State’s highest honor, the Alexander Hamilton Award of the Department of the Treasury, and the Medal for Distinguished Public Service of the Department of Defense. The German government awarded him the Knight Commanders Cross for his achievements in the course of German unification. The Mexican and Chilean governments awarded him their highest honors for non-citizens, the Aztec Eagle and the Order of Merit, for recognition of his work on free trade, development, and the environment. Zoellick holds a J.D. magna cum laude from the Harvard Law School, a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and a bachelor's degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Swarthmore College. Moderator: Kimberly Breier, Senior Advisor, Covington Kimberly Breier has more than 20 years of experience in foreign policy, primarily focused on Western Hemisphere affairs. Prior to joining Covington, Breier, a non-lawyer, was Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. She also served as the Western Hemisphere Member of the Policy Planning Staff. Breier was previously the founder and Director of the U.S.-Mexico Futures Initiative, and the Deputy Director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She also was Vice President of a consulting firm, leading country risk assessment teams for private clients in Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

A discussion on solutions to public health challenges faced by migrant communities amidst the pandemic, as part of the Pacific Council's First 100 Days Memo on U.S.-Mexico Policy. This event is presented in partnership with International Medical Corps and the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. Thank you to the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust for supporting our work around global health. Featuring: Essey Workie, Senior Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute Essey Workie is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, where she works with its Human Services Initiative. Her work focuses on unaccompanied children, immigrant families, and access to local, state, and federal health and human service programs. Dr. Scott Lillibridge, Senior Medical Advisor, International Medical Corps Dr. Lillibridge provides medical leadership to all the organizational aspects of medical and public health programs for the International Medical Corps. In this capacity, he has responded to the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has just returned from the ongoing cholera outbreak in Mozambique. Moderator: Nastasha Everheart, Director of Strategy, Pacific Council on International Policy As Director of Strategy, Nastasha Everheart facilitates vision-setting at the highest tiers of Pacific Council leadership, creates, implements, and measures institution-wide strategic plans, and helps develop and execute the Council’s impact agenda. Background: Under the Mexico Initiative, the Pacific Council has developed a First 100 Days Memo on U.S.-Mexico Policy to be shared with President Biden and his administration, including recommendations on immigration policy. Accordingly, we partnered with the International Medical Corps to explore health services and conditions for immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Join us as we discuss solutions to public health challenges faced by migrant communities amidst the pandemic.

The Pacific Council on International Policy has presented a First 100 Days Memo on U.S.-Mexico Policy to the Biden administration, outlining recommendations on trade, immigration, and diplomacy, as well as urging President Joe Biden to take immediate action to strengthen the bilateral relationship from the outset of his term. This is the first virtual event of a series of three about the memo's recommendations. This event was framed as a policy briefing, where experts shared their recommendations as if they were presenting for the Biden administration. Audience members were encouraged to submit their questions as if they were members of the president's cabinet. Learn about the memo and its contributors here: https://www.pacificcouncil.org/first-100-days-memo Featuring: Dr. Pamela Starr, Associate Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California; and Senior Adviser, Monarch Global Strategies Dr. Starr is a senior adviser at Monarch Global Strategies, the director of the U.S.-Mexico Network, a university fellow at the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, and an associate professor of international relations and public diplomacy at USC. She came to USC from the Eurasia Group, one of the world's leading global political risk advisory and consulting firms, where she was senior analyst responsible for Mexico. Patrick Schaefer, Chief Legal Officer, Supply Chain Capital Partners Patrick Schaefer is the Chief Legal Officer at Supply Chain Capital Partners. He previously served as the Senior Vice President of the Center for Global Trade & Foreign Investment at the LA Chamber of Commerce and as Executive Director of the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, part of the University of Texas at El Paso, which produces detailed economic and legal analysis of the various markets that converge in the transboundary, Paso del Norte region. Opening Remarks: The Hon. Michael Camuñez, President & CEO, Monarch Global Strategies LLC Michael Camuñez is a Pacific Council Director and the co-founder, president, and CEO of Monarch Global Strategies, a strategic consulting firm providing senior corporate executives with market and political intelligence, strategic advice and stakeholder engagement support to drive market entry and business expansion efforts in North America, with a particular emphasis on Mexico. Background: Through careful messaging, consistent focus on the relationship, and early symbolic and substantive actions, President Biden has the opportunity to reframe the relationship as one of strategic partnership. The Council’s Mexico Advisory Committee has commissioned a report focusing on actions recommended by Mexico policy experts and informed citizens that President Biden and his team can take to improve the relationship with Mexico during the first 100 days of his administration. Learn more about the Mexico Initiative: https://www.pacificcouncil.org/initiative/mexico-initiative

A State of the Global City address by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on how U.S. cities can work with the Biden administration on foreign policy, made possible by the generous support of the RM Liu Foundation. In partnership with the LA Mayor's Office, the Pacific Council on International Policy has hosted two previous State of the Global City addresses. Featuring: The Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti was sworn in as the 42nd Mayor of Los Angeles on July 1, 2013, after being elected four times by his peers to serve as President of the City Council from 2006 to 2012. Moderator: Elise Buik, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles Elise Buik is a Pacific Council Director and the first female president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

Pacific Council President and CEO Dr. Jerrold D. Green offers a general outlook of U.S. foreign policy under the new Biden administration, on the afternoon of Inauguration Day. Tune in to hear expectations, predictions, and have your questions answered about the future of American leadership in the world. Featuring: Dr. Jerrold D. Green, President and CEO, Pacific Council on International Policy Dr. Jerrold D. Green is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles. He is also a Research Professor of Communications at the University of Southern California. Prior to this he served as a Partner at Best Associates in Dallas, Texas, a privately held merchant banking firm with global operations. He also served as the Director of International Programs and Development at the RAND Corporation where he oversaw the activities of the Center for Asia-Pacific Policy as well as the Center for Russia and Eurasia.

An installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, on how the incoming Biden administration should balance its relationship with China. Featuring: Anja Manuel, Co-Founder and Partner, Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC Anja Manuel is a former diplomat, author, and advisor on emerging markets. She is the author of the critically acclaimed This Brave New World: India, China and the United States, published by Simon and Schuster in 2016. From 2005-2007, she served as an official at the U.S. Department of State, responsible for South Asia Policy. She is Co-Founder and Partner along with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, in Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC, a strategic consulting firm that helps U.S. companies navigate international markets. Moderator: Alexandre Moore, Senior Events Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy Alex Moore is the Senior Events Officer at the Pacific Council, where he researches and monitors shifts in foreign policy, oversees the logistical and operational elements of events, and recruits U.S. and foreign diplomats, military officials, and experts to meet with the Council. Background: On January 20, 2021, the 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, will assume office. His administration will be met with a host of competing priorities on the homefront. Though when looking abroad, the top priority seems clear: China. President-elect Biden must balance engaging China with standing up for American economic and security interests. Joining us to discuss her recommendations for President-elect Biden as well as the tools available to him as he responds to a rising China will be former diplomat, author, and advisor on emerging markets, Ms. Anja Manuel. The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support of and dedication to the Pacific Council.

A conversation on the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in California. Featuring: Dr. Peter Katona, Professor of Medicine and Public Health, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Dr. Katona is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. He has worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has authored articles on medical informatics, medical education, influenza, polio, nutrition, bioterrorism, disasters, and the future of health care. He maintains a private practice in infectious diseases. Moderator: Marissa Moran Gantman, Chief Communications Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy Background: U.S. regulators have approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for California to begin a historic and complex rollout of millions of immunizations. This marks a much-anticipated turning point in a state where over 20,000 people have been killed by the virus to date. California’s first shipment of vaccines will include 327,000 doses and is widely expected to reach hospitals this week. Join us as we explore how the vaccine will be rolled out in Los Angeles, what its presence will mean for Southern California, and when we can expect a return to normalcy.

A conversation on the water challenges facing the United States and the world, as part of the Goalmakers initiative on the Sustainable Development Goals. This event is presented in partnership with Stanford's Water in the West. Featuring: Felicia Marcus, William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow, Water in the West, Stanford University Felicia Marcus is the William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West Program, an attorney, consultant, and member of the Water Policy Group. Moderator: Newsha Ajami, Director of Urban Water Policy, Water in the West, Stanford University; and Senior Research Associate, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment Newsha Ajami is the director of Urban Water Policy with Stanford University’s Water in the West and NSF-ReNUWIt initiatives. She is a hydrologist specializing in sustainable water resource management, water policy, the water-energy-food nexus, and advancing uncertainty assessment techniques impacting hydrological predictions. Background: While sustainability looks at how current generations can meet their needs without compromising that ability for future generations, resilience considers a system's ability to prepare for threats, to absorb impacts, and to recover and adapt after disruptive events. As California, not to mention the United States, grapples with sustainability versus resilience, it faces countless challenges to ensuring its environmental security—chief among them being water. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6 emphasizes the importance of clean water and sanitation for all. Critical problems of water quality and usage are evident looking across the United States from the city of Flint, Michigan, to California's Central Valley. Accordingly, how can the country apply "green" infrastructure and "grey" infrastructure to support a sustainable and resilient water supply? Which countries can the United States learn from abroad as it invests in its environmental future? Why do the SDGs achieve a higher level of attention abroad and in the corporate world than they do in the United States today?

An installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, on what an increasingly forceful China means for the United States and Taiwan. Featuring: Ambassador Chas W. Freeman, Jr., Chair, Projects International, Inc. Ambassador Freeman is a career diplomat (retired) who was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs from 1993-94, earning the highest public service awards of the Department of Defense for his roles in designing a NATO-centered post-Cold War European security system and in reestablishing defense and military relations with China. Ambassador Freeman worked as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires in the American embassies at both Bangkok (1984-1986) and Beijing (1981-1984). He was Director for Chinese Affairs at the U.S. Department of State from 1979-1981. He was the principal American interpreter during the late President Nixon’s path-breaking visit to China. Moderator: Marissa Moran, Chief Communications Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy Marissa Moran has dedicated her decade-long career to the intersection of media, communications, and social impact. Background: China is getting tough on Taiwan, and the U.S. response will have consequences that reach far into the future. To date, Taiwan has intercepted more than twice as many Chinese warplanes in 2020 than it did in the whole of 2019. China’s increasingly assertive posture towards the island has been assumed against the backdrop of deteriorating U.S.-Sino relations, and growing U.S. support for Taiwan. As Beijing continues to step up its military activities against the island, it is creating the conditions for crisis and risking decades of peace. Join us as we explore what an increasingly forceful China means for the United States and Taiwan, what options are available to the island, and how the United States should respond. The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support of and dedication to the Pacific Council.

A Culture Club webcast with the filmmakers of "Immigration Nation." Featuring: Christina Clusiau, Documentary Filmmaker Christina Clusiau is a documentary filmmaker and cinematographer based in Brooklyn, NY. She co-founded the production company Reel Peak Films with Shaul Schwarz, specializing in documentary films and series that prioritize cinematic quality and journalistic integrity. Shaul Schwarz, Documentary Filmmaker Shaul Schwarz is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, and photojournalist based in Brooklyn, NY. His debut documentary, Narco Cultura, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013. Moderator: Marissa Moran, Chief Communications Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy Marissa Moran has dedicated her decade-long career to the intersection of media, communications, and social impact Background: "Immigration Nation" is a six-part docuseries on Netflix that gives viewers inside access to operations at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plus stories of immigrants to give a deeper understanding of the state of immigration in the United States today. Please join us as we feature the directors of the series, Ms. Christina Clusiau & Mr. Shaul Schwarz, to discuss how they approached its making and what it taught them about our country.

An installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, on how the United States should balance competition and collaboration with China, the prospects for economic decoupling, and the state of bilateral trade. Featuring: Dr. Geoffrey Garrett, Dean, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California Dr. Garrett is a former president and CEO of the Pacific Council. He is dean of the USC Marshall School of Business and holder of the Robert R. Dockson Dean’s Chair in Business Administration and Professor of Management and Organization. He assumed this role in 2020, after six years as dean of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Moderator: Jennifer Faust, Executive Director, Pacific Council on International Policy Jennifer Faust is a political economist with a broad academic and professional background in the private sector and public service. Background: The United States and China are deeply bound. They share robust interpersonal ties, influence one another’s cultural development, and occupy the imaginations of their respective publics. Though it is the economic piece of the U.S.-Chinese relationship that is its cornerstone. The last four decades have seen China grow to become both a peer and competitor of the United States in almost every industry. Join us as we host renowned political economist, dean of the USC Marshall School of Business, and former Pacific Council President Geoffrey Garrett to explore how the United States should balance competition and collaboration with China, the prospects for economic decoupling, and the state of bilateral trade. The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support of and dedication to the Pacific Council.

A Local-to-Global webcast on lessons and threats from other countries regarding U.S. election security. Featuring: David Brody, Counsel & Senior Fellow for Privacy and Technology, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law David Brody leads the Digital Justice Initiative. He is Counsel & Senior Fellow for Privacy and Technology. He focuses on issues related to the intersection of technology and consumer privacy, free speech, hate group activity, government surveillance, and racial discrimination. Camille François, Chief Innovation Officer, Graphika Camille François works on cyber conflict and digital rights online. She is the Chief Innovation Officer at Graphika, where she leads the company’s work to detect and mitigate disinformation, media manipulation and harassment. Camille was previously the Principal Researcher at Jigsaw, an innovation unit at Google that builds technology to address global security challenges and protect vulnerable users. Moderator: Thomas Zimmerman, Director of Programs, Pacific Council on International Policy Thomas Zimmerman oversees programing for Council members and the general public. After working on Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, Thomas joined the Pakistan Desk at the Department of Defense before moving to the White House to serve as Special Assistant to the National Security Advisor. In 2012, he managed the national security and foreign policy research portfolio for President Obama’s reelection campaign. Background: As U.S. states brace for the upcoming November election, the threat of a pandemic, voter suppression, and foreign interference looms large. These challenges are not unique to the United States, but the country already struggles amongst its peers in voter turnout and ease of voting. With less than 40 days to go until election day (as of the date of this event), what is the outlook for U.S. election security? How have cyber warfare tactics from actors like Russia, China, and Iran progressed and tested U.S. voting systems? What lessons can the U.S. follow from other developed countries to prepare its election security for the future?

The sixth installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, on the impact shifting U.S. policy will have on the South China Sea. Featuring Rear Admiral Stephen Koehler of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the second-highest-ranking U.S. military official in the Pacific. No longer is the United States officially neutral on the issue of the South China Sea. July saw a raft of statements from the United States rejecting China’s “historical rights” claim to the region and reaffirming The Hague’s 2016 tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines. Southeast Asian nations, many of which similarly stake dubious claims to the region, have quietly welcomed the official change in policy. Though they also worry about the instability threatened by an increasingly tense U.S.-China relationship. This discussion explores the impact shifting U.S. policy will have on South China Sea claimant nations as well as China’s approach to the resource-rich region. The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support of and dedication to the Pacific Council. Featuring: Rear Admiral Stephen Koehler, Director of Operations, J3, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command/ Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (In Transit) Rear Admiral Koehler commanded the Pukin’ Dogs of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and Carrier Strike Group Nine. His additional assignments at sea include tours in Fighter Squadron (VF) 211, VF-41, executive officer aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). During his operational tours, he supported Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel in support of contingency operations in the Middle East, Operation Deliberate Guard in support of stabilization efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Operation Unified Protector in support of contingency operations Libya, and Operation Unified Response which provided emergency disaster relief to Haiti. Bonnie S. Glaser, Senior Adviser for Asia; Director, China Power Project, CSIS Bonnie S. Glaser is a senior adviser for Asia and the director of the China Power Project as CSIS, where she works on issues related to Asia-Pacific security with a focus on Chinese foreign and security policy. She is concomitantly a nonresident fellow with the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia, and a senior associate with the Pacific Forum. Moderator: Alexandre Moore, Senior Programs Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy Alexandre Moore researches and monitors shifts in foreign policy, oversees the logistical and operational elements of events and recruits U.S. and foreign diplomats, military officials, and experts to meet with the Council.

A Local-to-Global webcast on preparing for future challenges through subnational diplomacy and global engagement. Like few events before it, the global pandemic has highlighted how global events can have major impacts at the local level. At the same time, cites are increasingly becoming front line actors in responding to the major global challenges of the day, from climate change to public health to human rights. This discussion explores the growing role of cities in subnational diplomacy and to discuss how local governments can prepare for the greatest challenges of the future through greater global engagement. Featuring: Vanessa Ibarra, Director, Office of International Affairs, City of Atlanta As Director of the Mayor's Office of International Affairs, Ms. Ibarra plans, develops, and implements the international activities of Mayor Bottoms’ Office. She assists in facilitating trade, economic development, tourism and cultural initiatives of the City of Atlanta through liaison with local, national, and international agencies. Ambassador Nina Hachigian, Deputy Mayor for International Affairs, City of Los Angeles Ambassador Hachigian is a Pacific Council Director and served as U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 2014-2017. In 2017, Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed Ambassador Hachigian to be the first Deputy Mayor of International Affairs. Moderator: Anka Lee, Fellow, Truman National Security Project Anka Lee is a Pacific Council member and, previously, he advised the California State Assembly Speaker on international affairs, where he created new bilateral initiatives for legislators to address shared policy challenges with foreign counterparts and positioned California to lead on key issues of local and global significance.

A discussion on the national debate around law enforcement. For decades, the United States has advocated for other countries to demilitarize its civilian police forces and made the case that it was an important step toward promoting safe and stable communities abroad. At the same time, here at home, American police forces grew the size and budgets of their paramilitary units (or SWAT teams). The lethality of these forces was augmented by the Department of Defense, which provided local law enforcement agencies with a dizzying array of military-grade hardware. As it stands, over $6 billion in military equipment has been distributed to local police departments, including MRAPS, Humvees, aircraft, night vision, and high powered rifles. What’s more, the adoption of military-style tactics and training by some police forces has further blurred the line between law enforcement and defense. What impact has the increasing militarization of American policing had on public safety and public trust? What has driven this trend? How does it fit into our current national debate around law enforcement? And what can we learn from our own experiences abroad? Featuring: Mandy Smithberger, Director, Center for Defense Information, Project On Government Oversight Mandy Smithberger rejoined POGO as the director of the Center for Defense Information in December 2014. Previously she was a national security policy adviser to U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) There, she worked on passing key provisions of the Military Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act into law. David Alan Sklansky, Stanley Morrison Professor of Law and Faculty Co-Director, Criminal Justice Center, Stanford University David Alan Sklansky teaches and writes about criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence. Before joining the faculty of Stanford Law School in 2014, Sklansky taught at UC Berkeley and UCLA and served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles. Moderator: The Honorable Gabriel P. Sanchez, Associate Justice, First District Court of Appeal, Division One Associate Justice Sanchez, who is joining the discussion in his personal capacity only, was appointed to the First District Court of Appeal in October 2018 by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., and serves as an Associate Justice in Division One.

The fifth installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, on what a joint U.S.-E.U. strategy on China might look like. The United States and the European Union need a shared understanding of China to resist it. That was the message from U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his June 2020 visit to the continent. While the United States and E.U. have adopted a tougher stance on China in recent years, they remain split on how best to respond to Beijing’s growing clout. Foreign policy consensus building among the E.U.’s 27 members is a difficult task and is in part to blame for the difference in the E.U.’s approach. Though in the wake of China’s post-pandemic assertiveness, the bloc has shown a willingness to reexamine its China policy. What obstacles stand in the way of greater U.S.-E.U. cooperation on China? How tough is the E.U. willing to get? What might a U.S.-E.U. strategy look like and what could it accomplish? Join us as we explore these questions and more in the fifth installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China. The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support of and dedication to the Pacific Council. Featuring: Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri, Dean, Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs; and Director, US and the Americas Programme, Chatham House Dr. Vinjamuri leads the US & Americas programme and is Dean of the Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Leslie writes and speaks about America’s role in the world, international security, geopolitics, and global governance. Noah Barkin, Senior Visiting Fellow, Asia Program, German Marshall Fund of the United States Noah Barkin is a senior visiting fellow in the Asia Program based in Berlin. He specializes in Europe’s relationship with China and the implications of China’s rise for the transatlantic relationship. Noah is also managing editor in the China practice at Rhodium Group. Moderator: Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Principal, KME Consulting Kimberly is a Pacific Council member and board member of Human Rights Watch.

A webcast on restrictions placed on humanitarian aid delivery in Syria because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 11, the UN Security Council approved a resolution limiting the travel of UN aid convoys into Syria to one border crossing, instead of the previously established two. This blow to humanitarian aid comes as Syrian camps brace themselves for COVID-19 outbreaks that could quickly devastate the displaced people residing there. As armed conflict and a pandemic threaten an already vulnerable nation, how can international actors and organizations seek to counter Russia’s presence in Syria and support the Syrian people? How has the climate on the ground shifted as interactions between U.S. and Russian troops have become increasingly tense? Featuring: Mona Yacoubian, Senior Advisor to the Vice President of Middle East & Africa, United States Institute of Peace Mona Yacoubian’s work centers on conflict analysis and prevention in the Middle East, with a specific focus on Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. In 2019, she served as executive director of the Congressionally-appointed Syria Study Group, which USIP was mandated to facilitate. Zaki Mehchy, Senior Consulting Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House Zaki is also a co-founder of the Syrian Center for Policy Research (SCPR). His work focuses on development policies, and he has participated in several research and studies on socio-economic impact of the crisis in Syria, poverty and multidimensional deprivation, local governance, and community empowerment. Moderator: Kemal Kirişci, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution Dr. Kirişci is the co-author of "The Consequences of Chaos: Syria's Humanitarian Crisis and the Failure to Protect" (Brookings Institution Press, April 2016), which considers the long-term economic, political, and social implications of Syria's displaced and offers policy recommendations to address the humanitarian crisis.

A virtual conversation with Elizabeth Cousens of the UN Foundation. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, and it comes at a time when pillars of global engagement seem under siege from multiple directions. At the same time, the past year has demonstrated the essential role international institutions play in promoting life-saving cooperation across borders…and the risks we face if that cooperation is obstructed or undermined. United Nations Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Cousens joins the Pacific Council for a virtual conversation about how the United Nations and the World Health Organization have helped shape the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how global efforts are connected to local efforts, including that work has directly impacted lives in Southern California. We look at the lessons learned from this crisis and innovations that are emerging as a response to the pandemic, and discuss the United Nations’ important role in confronting global challenges that face the next generation of leaders, from climate change to economic inequity. Featuring: Ambassador Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO, UN Foundation Elizabeth Cousens has been at the forefront of global policymaking and innovation for over 20 years. She is a diplomat and thought leader who has worked on the frontlines of peace processes, played an influential role in policy innovations from peacebuilding to the Sustainable Development Goals, and helped build public-private partnerships to solve global challenges at scale. Moderator: Dilpreet Sidhu, Director of International Relations, Policy, and Protocol, Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles

A webcast on battling disinformation and reporting the news in an atmosphere of mistrust, featuring former CNN Chief White House Correspondent Jessica Yellin. The rise of social media has provided an environment conducive to the viral dissemination of disinformation. As disinformation has spread, trust in the political process, public institutions, and the press have fallen. Societies, in turn, have begun to suffer as the opinions of their publics are manipulated by bots, big data, trolling, deep-fakes, and more. Join us as we host Emmy award winning journalist Jessica Yellin to discuss her approach to battling disinformation and reporting the news in an atmosphere of mistrust. Featuring: Jessica Yellin, Founder, #NewsNotNoise Jessica Yellin is the founder of #NewsNotNoise, a fresh voice in media that provides daily news reports on Instagram. You can find the account @JessicaYellin. She is the former chief White House correspondent for CNN and an Emmy and Gracie award-winning political journalist reporting for CNN, ABC News, and MSNBC. Yellin has covered Capitol Hill, domestic politics, state and national elections, the culture wars, and issues facing women in the workplace. Her work has been published in The New York Times, the Daily Beast, Details, Entertainment Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, and The Atlantic. She is a graduate of Harvard University and the Westlake School for Girls in Los Angeles, California. Her first novel, Savage News, about reporting-while-female, is available now from HarperCollins. Moderator: Justin Chapman, Communications Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy Justin Chapman is a journalist who has written for more than 20 print and digital publications. He is the host of the show "Well Read with Justin Chapman."

The fourth installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, featuring Dr. Jeffrey Wasserstrom of UC Irvine and Joanna Chiu of the Toronto Star on the future of Hong Kong. July 1, 2020, marks the 23rd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong. In that time, a lot has changed for the territory. In 1997, about one in five Hong Kong residents identified as Chinese as opposed to “Hongkonger.” That number eventually grew to one in three identifying as Chinese, but as Beijing has begun to erase the lines between Hong Kong and the mainland, local attitudes are beginning to shift. As of 2019, nine in 10 primarily identified as Hongkongers. Over the past few years, we've seen protesters take the streets of Hong Kong to push back against the erosion of their freedoms. Join us as we discuss the current state of Hong Kong, what its future might look like, and what the United States can do to best support the people of Hong Kong going forward. The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. We thank Dr. Bradford and Ms. Louise Edgerton for their continued support of and dedication to the Pacific Council. Featuring: Dr. Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Chancellor's Professor of History, School of Humanities, UC Irvine Jeffrey Wasserstrom is the Chancellor's Professor of History and historical writing mentor of literary journalism in the School of Humanities and professor (by courtesy) in the School of Law at UC Irvine. He is also the co-founder of the Forum for the Academy and the Public. Joanna Chiu, Journalist, Vancouver Bureau, The Toronto Star Joanna Chiu a Vancouver-based journalist for the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest newspaper, after previously serving as bureau chief of StarMetro Vancouver. Her specialty is China-Canada relations, and she has been tracking global support and solidarity actions in support of Hong Kong's democracy movement. Moderator: Dr. Ira Kasoff, Senior Counselor, International Advisory Council, APCO Worldwide Ira Kasoff is a Pacific Council member and a recognized expert on Asia. He has lived and worked extensively in the region–10 years in mainland China, eight years in Japan, eight in Hong Kong, and two in Taiwan.

A webcast on the latest trends in renewable energy, energy storage, and electrification. In April 2019, renewable energy provided 23 percent of U.S. power generation. Coal, on the other hand, accounted for just 20 percent. This marked the first time in U.S. history that renewables had outpaced coal’s share of the market. Driving the expansion of renewable energy has been a combination of falling costs, breakthroughs in energy storage, and public demand and incentives for greener energy sources. As the transition towards renewable energy accelerates, questions remain about the best path forward—particularly as these technologies come with costs of their own. Please join us as we explore trends in renewable energy, energy storage, and electrification. Featuring: Mark L. Kellaher, Design Phase Manager of Energy Storage and Solutions, M.A. Mortenson Mark Kellaher is a Pacific Council member and focuses on contract and commercial services management, strategy development, regulatory policy analysis, and the management of large capital infrastructure projects. Tracey Evers, Market Director, Power Delivery Solutions, Mortenson Tracey Evers manages the positioning activities of the business development team by participating in strategic business planning, providing leadership and insight for the overall strategic pursuit and direction of established and new markets as well overseeing the creation and production of internal and external communications. Moderator: Samantha Pettigrew, Associate, International Council on Clean Transportation Samantha Pettigrew is a Pacific Council member and an associate at the International Council on Clean Transportation.

A webcast on what Venezuelans are doing to restore their democracy. On January 10, 2019, Nicolás Maduro illegally assumed the presidency of Venezuela despite a lack of free and fair elections. Under Maduro, the democratic institutions underpinning what had once been South America's most prosperous state have all but been eroded. Those who oppose him have been arbitrarily jailed or barred from the political process, while access to food and medicine has been leveraged as a tool for social control. But hope is not lost. Join us as we discuss what Venezuelans are doing to restore their democracy, how the United States is helping, and what might come next. Featuring: Carrie Filipetti, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cuba and Venezuela, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State Carrie Filipetti is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cuba and Venezuela in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Prior to this position, Carrie served as a Senior Policy Advisor for the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN), where she advised U.S. Ambassador Nikki R. Haley on issues related to counterterrorism, the Middle East, and the Western Hemisphere. Moderator: Dr. Katja Newman, President, KSN Consulting Katja Newman is a Pacific Council member and a professor at Loyola Marymount University.

A Staying Connected Series webcast on Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan's responses to COVID-19 and what they learned through the process of re-opening. As the United States beings to re-open quickly, what lessons can we draw from other countries who have gone through this same process? Representatives from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan will talk about the strategies they employed regarding contact tracing, COVID-19 testing, and privacy concerns. Featuring: Ambassador Abraham Wen-Shang Chu, Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles Abraham Wen-Shang Chu is the Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. He has served in many different roles in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs throughout his career. Consul General Akira Muto, Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles Akira Muto past overseas postings have taken him to Russia (Moscow) twice, and in the U,S., to Washington D.C., and Boston. Aside from his time as a visting scholar at Standford University's Walter H. Shotenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, his time as Consul General will mark his first time working in the state of California. Consul General Kyung Jae Park, Consul General, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles Kyung Jae Park is the Consul General of the Republic of Korea Consulate in Los Angeles. Moderator: Dr. Parmis Khatibi, COO, Ahura Health Corporation Dr. Parmis Kahtibi is the COO of Ahura Healthcare Corporation. They are a premier provider of comprehensive pain management services. She is an anticoagulation and antithrombotic clinical specialist at University of California, Irvine Medical Center as well as a Clinical Adjunct Professor for the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy and USC School of Pharmacy.

A webcast about the state of U.S.-Taliban negotiations. At the end of February, the United States and the Taliban signed a peace deal that calls for the full withdrawal of American troops within 14 months. This is contingent on a guarantee from the Taliban that they will not plan nor launch attacks from Afghan soil with aims to attack the United States or its allies. What is the state of the deal now? Are the United States and the Taliban staying true to their commitments? And what are the opinions of the Afghani people and other stakeholders in the region? Featuring: Shamila Kohestani, Senior Program Officer, Democracy Council Shamila Kohestani is a senior program officer with Democracy Council in Los Angeles and manages multiple programs supporting gender rights and civil society in the MENA and S Asia regions. She is one of the most prominent Afghani human rights activists and the former captain of the Afghani National Women’s soccer team. Barnett Rubin, Associate Director and Senior Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, New York University Dr. Barnett R. Rubin is a Senior Fellow and Associate Director of CIC, where he directs the Afghanistan Pakistan Regional Program. From April 2009 until October 2013, Dr. Rubin was the Senior Adviser to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in the U.S. Department of State. Moderator: Thomas Zimmerman, Director of Programs, Pacific Council on International Policy Thomas Zimmerman is the Director of Programs at the Pacific Council on International Policy, where he oversees programing for Council members and the general public. He started his career working in Kabul, Afghanistan, with American Councils for International Education.

A Staying Connected Series webcast on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Iran's political future. Iran has successfully weathered political and economic unrest over the years, though the damage wrought by COVID-19 threatens to turn out the people like never before. Join us as we discuss the state of Iran's economy, the regime's attempt to battle unrest, and the country's activity abroad. Featuring: Hamed Behravan, Vice President of Independent Media, Internet Freedom and Iran Programs, DT Institute Hamed Behravan is vice president at the DT Institute, where he designs and implements a broad range of innovative solutions that enable civil society activists and organizations in Iran and other closed societies push for tangible reforms and opening of the political and social spaces. DT Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting democracy, human rights, economic opportunity, and good governance in developing countries. Dr. Alma Keshavarz, International Security Analyst, Institute for Politics and Strategy, Carnegie Mellon University Alma Keshavarz is a Pacific Council member, an international security analyst and a post-doctoral fellow at the Institute for Politics and Strategy at Carnegie Mellon University, and an associate at Small Wars Journal. Moderator: Peter Theroux, Writer and Translator Peter Theroux is a Pacific Council member and served as a political officer and translator in Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan; under Richard Haass on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff, at the White House as Director of Persian Gulf Affairs on the National Security Council (2003-05), and the New York's Joint Terrorism Task Force (2008-10).

A virtual keynote featuring Ambassador Michael A. Lawson. The killing of George Floyd at the hands of U.S. law enforcement has sparked protests across the world, with thousands gathering in cities like London and Berlin to condemn human rights violations against Black communities in the United States. The world is watching and the moment calls for Americans to reflect on how systemic racism continues to plague our society and institutions. Ambassador Michael Lawson, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, led a discussion on the message behind the protests taking place across the country, the scale and nature of the challenges facing our city, and the difficult work that must be done to advance racial justice in our communities. Featuring: Ambassador Michael A. Lawson, President & CEO, Los Angeles Urban League Ambassador Lawson is a Pacific Council Director and president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. Moderator: Tanya Acker, Host, The Tanya Acker Podcast; and Co-Host, Hot Bench Tanya Acker is a Pacific Council member and co-host of the twice Emmy-nominated Hot Bench (CBS Television Distribution), Tanya Acker is also host of The Tanya Acker Show podcast.

A virtual keynote webcast with Alabama state Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-53), minority leader in the state House of Representatives. Rep. Daniels will discuss educational reform, prison reform, voter suppression issues, and the healthcare system in conversation with Kimberly Freeman, Associate Dean and Chief Diversity Officer of USC Dornsife. They will also explore how these “domestic” issues impact the United States’ standing in the world. In March, a Pacific Council delegation traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, with the goal of better understanding the legacy of slavery and institutionalized racism in the United States. Inspired by the trip, Pacific Council President and CEO Dr. Jerrold Green and Board member Ambassador Michael Lawson wrote an op-ed piece on why institutionalized racism is a national security threat. They argue that to preserve democracy and security in the United States and to be effective as an international actor, we need to address issues of race in our own country. Selma's Bloody Sunday occurred 55 years ago. The question that begs to be answered is: Where are we now? Featuring: The Honorable Anthony Daniels, Minority Leader, Alabama House of Representatives Anthony Daniels has represented the 53rd District in the Alabama State House of Representatives since 2014. Since February 2017, Daniels has served as minority leader in the state House of Representatives, leading the House Democratic Caucus. Moderator: Kimberly Freeman, Associate Dean and Chief Diversity Officer, USC Dornsife Kimberly Freeman is a Pacific Council member and the associate dean and chief diversity officer at USC Dornsife.

A Staying Connected Series webcast exploring the relationship between the U.S. West Coast and Finland in the context of the multi-billion dollar video game industry. In partnership with the Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles and World Affairs. About 57 percent of the world's game developers live in the United States, and the large majority of them are on the West Coast. Much of what the gaming industry is today can be traced back to people in California, and a similar, albeit less well-documented, transformation took place in Finland in the last few decades. This small country of only 5 million people is now home to some of the biggest game companies in the world. Unsurprisingly, the global gaming industry has been the impetus for much in the way of international cooperation between studios, publishers, and investors. In this virtual panel, we will explore the special relationship between the West Coast and Finland in the context of this multi-billion dollar industry. Featuring: Teemu Huuhtanen, CEO, Next Games Teemu Huuhtanen previously served as vice president of mergers and acquisitions at Rovio Entertainment. Andrew Stalbow, CEO and Co-Founder, Seriously Digital Entertainment Andrew Stalbow previously served as executive vice president of strategic partnerships at Rovio Entertainment. Read more. Peter Levin, Managing Director, Griffin Gaming Partners Peter Levin previously served as president of games and digital strategy at Lionsgate Interactive Ventures. Moderator: Zsuzsa James, Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Finland in Los Angeles Zsuzsa James helps Finnish games and esports companies succeed in the United States.

A Staying Connected Series webcast about art and propaganda, in partnership with the Wende Museum. Open to the public. “Fake news” and “alternative facts” have become buzzwords of our time. After the twentieth-century struggles between top-down media propaganda and bottom-up media exposures, we acquired unprecedented access to information. Nevertheless, it has become increasingly difficult to separate fact from interpretation. In our current moment, how do we remain (self-)critical in a world of politically split realities? What can art teach us about fact and fiction? Featuring: Robeson Taj Frazier, Associate Professor of Communication; and Director, Institute for Diversity and Empowerment at Annenberg (IDEA) Professor Frazier is a cultural historian who explores the arts, political and expressive cultures of the people of the African Diaspora in the United States and elsewhere. His research examines histories and current-day dynamics of race and gender, cultural traffic and contact, urban culture and life, and popular culture. Farrah Karapetian, Artist, Assistant Professor of Visual Arts, University of San Diego Farrah Karapetian is an artist based in California. Her methods incorporate sculptural and performative means of achieving imagery that refigures the medium of photography around bodily experience. Her work is in public collections that include the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Luke Matthews, Behavioral and Social Scientist; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School; Co-Director, RAND Center for Applied Network Analysis Luke Matthews' work focuses on studying cultural diffusion on social networks, that is, how people influence each other. He has applied social network analysis, simulation models, and machine learning to mixed qualitative-quantitative data. Moderator: Catherine Wagley, Contributing Editor, Momus Catherine G. Wagley writes about art and visual culture in Los Angeles. She currently works as an art critic for L.A. Weekly and contributes to a number of other publications, most recently CARLA, ARTNews, East of Borneo, and L.A. Review of Books.

A virtual conversation with Dr. Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund of the United States about the experience of COVID-19 in Europe. As EU member states pursue isolationist tactics to combat the pandemic, there is concern that COVID-19 will have a damaging impact on European unity. What strengths and weaknesses of the EU has this crisis unveiled? How are member states stepping up to contain the spread of COVID-19? Featuring: Dr. Ian Lesser, Vice President and Executive Director, Brussels Office, German Marshall Fund of the United States Prior to joining GMF, Dr. Lesser was a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and vice president and director of studies at the Pacific Council on International Policy. He came to the Pacific Council from the RAND Corporation, where he spent over a decade as a senior analyst and research manager specializing in strategic studies. Moderator: Alexandra Lieben, Deputy Director, Burkle Center for International Relations, UCLA In addition to her work at the Burkle Center, Alexandra Lieben teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in international conflict resolution and international development as well as alternative dispute resolution at UCLA.

While times of global crisis can bring out the best in this country, they also have a history of surfacing deeply rooted xenophobia and bigotry. At a moment where many are fearful, we are once again seeing efforts to scapegoat a group of Americans based on their identity. The Pacific Council and Japanese American National Museum (JANM), in partnership with Skylight Books, hosted a conversation with John Tateishi about his recent book, "Redress: The Inside Story of the Successful Campaign for Japanese American Reparations," and his experiences leading the fight to seek reparative justice. Tateishi will join Karen Ishizuka, Chief Curator at JANM, to discuss the parallels between his own experiences, the post-9/11 period, and today. In the midst of the “Safer at Home” order, it is more important than ever to support our local businesses and neighbors. Copies of Redress: The Inside Story of the Successful Campaign for Japanese American Reparations can be bought from Skylight Books (in Los Feliz, Los Angeles) or from the Japanese American National Museum Store. Featuring: John Tateishi, Author, "Redress: The Inside Story of the Successful Campaign for Japanese American Reparations" John Tateishi served as National Redress Director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and was involved in the movement to obtain redress and reparations for Japanese Americans. Moderator: Karen Ishizuka, Chief Curator, Japanese American National Museum Karen Ishizuka is the Chief Curator at the Japanese American National Museum.

A Staying Connected Series virtual discussion about how COVID-19 is impacting developing countries. The COVID-19 pandemic is stretching the coping capacity of even the best-prepared countries. Yet the world has barely begun to come to grips with how the outbreak threatens the world’s poorest communities. The pandemic could thrust fragile societies into even deeper despair and place the most vulnerable people—including women, girls, refugees, and migrants—at particular risk. CARE is rushing aid to those at greatest risk in 50 countries, as people prepare for the coming wave of infections. Join us to explore how the pandemic might impact these countries, and what CARE is doing about it. Featuring: Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE USA Michelle Nunn took the helm of CARE in 2015 and has spearheaded an ambitious strategy to reach 200 million of the world’s most vulnerable people by 2020. Tatiana Bertolucci, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, CARE USA Tatiana Bertolucci has been working with CARE since 2012, as part one of the Executive Managers of CARE Brazil and most recently at the Regional Management team as the Strategic Partnerships and Communications Director. Moderator: Dr. Peter Laugharn, President and CEO, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and Pacific Council Director Peter Laugharn is a passionate leader with 25 years of foundation and nonprofit experience internationally, with a focus on improving the well-being of vulnerable children.

The latest episode in a new podcast series by the Pacific Council on International Policy: "Local Planet with Thomas Zimmerman," the Council's Director of Programs. Each week, Thomas will share first-person perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic from around the world, highlight ways that people are stepping up to support their communities in the face of this outbreak, and present some global pop culture recommendations to help you get through the week. In this episode, we hear about how the coronavirus is impacting both Somalia and the Somali diaspora in the United Kingdom; Mutual Aid Networks—how they organize and how to join one; and Thomas catches up with Pacific Council Membership Associate Ina Thigith on K-pop. Theme Music: Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The latest episode in a new podcast series by the Pacific Council on International Policy: "Local Planet with Thomas Zimmerman," the Council's Director of Programs. Each week, Thomas will share first-person perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic from around the world, highlight ways that people are stepping up to support their communities in the face of this outbreak, and present some global pop culture recommendations to help you get through the week. In this episode, Thomas speaks with the manager of a school in Berlin about how the city is responding to the pandemic, he learns from the Director of Manufacturing Operations at SFMade about how small Northern California manufacturers are reconfiguring to meet the needs of the moment, and he discusses the comforts of classic British cinema in the time of quarantine. Theme Music: Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A Pacific Council teleconference about democracies in times of crisis. As countries around the world respond to a pandemic, many democratically elected leaders have taken extreme, even undemocratic, measures. In many countries, including Hungary, Brazil, Israel, and France, there is concern that leaders and lawmakers may use the crisis for political gains. These uncertain times prompt the question: How do democracies fare in times of crisis? Featuring: Dr. Nic Cheeseman, Professor of Democracy and International Development, University of Birmingham Nic Cheeseman was formerly the director of the African Studies Centre at Oxford University. He mainly works on democracy, elections, and development and has conducted fieldwork in a range of African countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Shanthi Kalathil, Senior Director, International Forum for Democratic Studies, National Endowment for Democracy Shanthi Kalathil's work focuses primarily on authoritarian challenges to democracy in the information age. Previously in her career, she served as a senior democracy fellow at the US Agency for International Development, an associate with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and as a consultant for the World Bank, the Aspen Institute, and other international affairs organizations. Moderator: Dr. Katja Newman, President, KSN Consulting Katja Newman is a Pacific Council member and a professor at Loyola Marymount University.

A Pacific Council teleconference on artificial intelligence's potential to disrupt geopolitics. The economic and strategic potential promised by Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its pursuit a priority for countries around the world. The United States and China are widely viewed as the leaders in the race for AI, though significant investments in the technology have been made by Russia, Canada, France, and the UK to name a few. Join us as we explore AI's potential to disrupt geopolitics, and reshape our understanding of the world. Featuring: John Villasenor, Professor of Public Policy, Electrical Engineering, and Management, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs John Villasenor is a professor of electrical engineering, public policy, law, and management at UCLA, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a National Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Danielle Tarraf, Senior Information Scientist and Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School Danielle Tarraf is a seasoned AI leader with over 14 years of experience spanning strategy consulting, basic research, and venture capital. Since 2018, she has also been building a portfolio of funded projects aiming to position RAND in the AI sphere. Moderator: Benjamin Boudreaux, Policy Researcher and Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School Benjamin Boudreaux is a professor at Pardee RAND Graduate School and a policy researcher at RAND working in the intersection of national security, technology, and ethics. His current research focuses on ethical issues in artificial intelligence (including autonomous weapons and algorithmic fairness), conflict prevention in cyberspace, and cyber incident response.

Introducing a new podcast series by the Pacific Council on International Policy: "Local Planet with Thomas Zimmerman," the Council's Director of Programs. Each week, Thomas will share first-person perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic from around the world, highlight ways that people are stepping up to support their communities in the face of this outbreak, and present some global pop culture recommendations to help you get through the week. In this episode, we get a firsthand account of China’s strict quarantine system, we learn about the ways COVID-19 has exacerbated Los Angeles’ food security challenges from Everytable CEO Sam Polk, and we discuss how to experience Eurovision 2020 despite its cancellation. Theme Music: Wholesome by Kevin MacLeod https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesome License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A Pacific Council teleconference on how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact globalization. Given the nature of our highly interdependent global economy, this episode examine how our newfound isolationist tactics to combat COVID-19 will affect the global economy, to what extent, and what we can come to expect once this is over. Featuring: Meg Lundsager, Former U.S. Executive Director and Alternate Executive Director, International Monetary Fund Meg Lundsager is a Public Policy Fellow at the Wilson Center. Read more. Dr. Henry Farrell, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Henry Farrell is an associate professor of political science and international affairs. Moderator: Dr. Abraham Newman, Director of the Mortara Center for International Studies, George Washington University Abraham Newman is a professor and director of the Mortara Center for International Studies at the George Washington University.

A Pacific Council teleconference on the state of the Afghanistan War and how the conflict will evolve in the years ahead. There are soldiers in Afghanistan today who were not even alive at the time of the 9/11 attacks. The war in Afghanistan has lasted longer than World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War combined. Recently, the Trump administration forged a peace deal with the Taliban and Afghan government. However, defensive airstrikes in the first few days of March threaten to dismantle the resolutions. Conflict in the Middle East is known for surges of violence and failed reconciliation attempts, but the United States is still hoping to break this pattern. As the Washington Post reported in its Afghanistan Papers last fall, the war has been plagued by problems since the beginning and many officials painted an inaccurately rosy picture of how the war was going. Why has getting out of Afghanistan been more difficult than leaving Vietnam or Korea? How can we expect to see this conflict evolve in the coming years? What is the most probable outcome of ending U.S. engagement in Afghanistan? Featuring: Scott Smith, Senior Expert for Afghanistan Peace Processes, U.S. Institute of Peace Scott Smith is a senior technical advisor on Afghanistan at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He was previously the director of USIP's Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs between 2012 and 2016. From 2017 to 2019, he was the director for political affairs at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Vanda Felbab-Brown, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence, Brookings Institution Dr. Felbab-Brown is an expert on international and internal conflicts and nontraditional security threats, including insurgency, organized crime, urban violence, and illicit economies. Felbab-Brown is the author of “Aspiration and Ambivalence: Strategies and Realities of Counterinsurgency and State-Building in Afghanistan” (Brookings Institution Press, 2013). Moderator: Thomas Zimmerman, Director of Programs, Pacific Council on International Policy Thomas Zimmerman started his career working in Kabul, Afghanistan, with American Councils for International Education. After working on Barack Obama’s 2008 Presidential campaign, Thomas joined the Pakistan Desk at the Department of Defense before moving to the White House to serve as Special Assistant to the National Security Advisor.

A Pacific Council teleconference on how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact technology and vice versa. As the restaurant, hospitality, and airline industries take a major hit to their business, established tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have seized the opportunity to yet again demonstrate their value to individuals and businesses alike. As the fallout from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to unfold, how are these companies responding? As their products become more ubiquitous in our everyday life, what impact will this have on the future of work? Featuring: Madinah S. Ali, President & Co-Founder, Safe PC Cloud Madinah S. Ali is the President & Co-Founder of Safe PC Cloud, also known as Atlanta GA Computer Services, one of the leading consumer, small-office, and home-office (SOHO) Information Technology (IT) & Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Daniel Ives, Managing Director, Equity Research, Wedbush Securities Daniel Ives is a a Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst covering the Technology sector at Wedbush Securities since 2018. Dan has been on Wall Street for two decades covering the software and the broader technology sector. Moderator: Malia Mason, CEO & Co-Founder, Integrum Malia Mason is CEO and co-founder at Integrum and president and co-founder of WiCyS SoCal.

A teleconference on how climate change disproportionately affects women. According to the UN, about 80 percent of people displaced by climate change are women. This level of disruption has consequences for global markets, political systems, and migration patterns. Gender equality is one of the UN's top 5 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but how does inequality impact environmental sustainability? How is a company or country's ability to respond to climate change impacted by gender issues? How can California stay at the forefront of these gender and climate change issues at an economic and governmental level? Featuring: Samantha Harris, Global Lead, Climate and People, BSR Samantha Harris drives the climate resilience pillar of BSR’s climate change practice, which includes how businesses can act at the intersection of people and climate change. She leads BSR’s foundational research and strategy on the intersection of climate and women’s empowerment. Emilia Reyes, Program Director, Public Policy and Budget for Equality and Sustainable Development, Equidad de Género Emilia Reyes was one of the gender negotiators from the Mexican delegation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Her role at Equidad de Género: Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia (Gender Equity: Citizenship, Work and Family) includes advocacy work in partner with the Mexican Climate Finance Group. Moderator: Jesse Medlong, Sustainability Lawyer and Climate Diplomat, DLA Piper Jesse Medlong is a Pacific Council member and a sustainability lawyer and climate diplomat at the San Francisco office of the global law firm DLA Piper.

A teleconference on the economic consequences of novel coronavirus' (COVID-19) wide and rapid spread across China. As the origin of the global outbreak, China's economic state offers us a glimpse of what may come to pass in other economies as the virus continues to spread worldwide. Featuring: Dr. David Dollar, Senior Fellow of Foreign Policy, Global Economy, and Development, John L. Thornton China Center, Brookings Institution David Dollar is a leading expert on China's economy and U.S.-China economic relations. From 2009 to 2013, Dollar was the U.S. Treasury’s economic and financial emissary to China, based in Beijing, facilitating the macroeconomic and financial policy dialogue between the United States and China. Dr. Victor Shih, Ho Miu Lam Chair in China and Pacific Relations, Associate Professor, School of Global Policy & Strategy, UC San Diego Victor Shih is an associate professor of political economy and has published widely on the politics of Chinese banking policies, fiscal policies and exchange rates. Moderator: Dr. Sara Hsu, Founder and CEO, China Rising Capital Forecast Dr. Hsu is a former economics professor and CEO of China Rising. She has written many books and articles on the Chinese economy and financial system, focusing on Chinese shadow banking, informal finance, and fintech.

A Pacific Council teleconference on how to combat disinformation and misinformation during a pandemic, with perspectives from different media environments around the world. Featuring: Jeanne Bourgault, President and CEO, Internews Ida Jooste, Global Health Media Advisor, Internews Moderator: Marissa Moran, Chief Communications Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy

A Pacific Council teleconference about the Los Angeles Port in the midst of coronavirus closures. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti recently directed all restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters, and other businesses to close until at least March 31. As the busiest container port in North America, activity at the Port of LA serves as an important barometer for economic health. Featuring: Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles Gene Seroka is the executive director of the Port of LA, the busiest container port in North America. Nominated by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on May 27, 2014, the Port of Los Angeles has experienced historic, record-breaking performances since his appointment. Moderator: Nastasha Everheart, Director of Strategy, Pacific Council on International Policy Nastash Everheart facilitates vision-setting at the highest tiers of leadership, develops the Council’s impact agenda, and creates, implements, and measures institution-wide strategic plans.

A teleconference on rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The story of the Saudi Arabia-Iran conflict is a struggle for hegemony in the Middle East that is increasingly inflamed by religious differences. This was further complicated at the beginning of 2020 with the United States’ assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, which threatened to escalate into armed conflict. Now the United States and Saudi Arabia are in talks on how to resolve the conflict with Iran. The Trump administration has made some attempts at conflict mediation, with little success. Which actors should mediate in instances like this one? What is the way forward for the region? In the long term? Six months? One year? Two years? How does the emphasis on religious divides complicate this issue? Can diplomacy occur outside of the realm of religion or does religion need to be a focal point of any solution moving forward? Is this a regional cold war? Iran and Saudi Arabia have smaller proxy conflicts, but no overt direct war. If it is a regional cold war, what lessons can be applied from the U.S.-USSR Cold War? Featuring: Dr. Banafsheh Keynoush, President, Mideast Analysts Banafsheh Keynoush is a Pacific Council member, a foreign affairs scholar, and an advisor to American private sector companies and policy centers in the Middle East. She has three decades of work experience in high-stake international diplomacy, and in policy and communications roles with the US private sector. Her book, Saudi Arabia and Iran: Friends or Foes? was published by Palgrave Macmillan in February 2016. Antonella Caruso, Adjunct, RAND Corporation; and LAMEDINA International Dialogue Institute Antonella Caruso is a Pacific Council member and a political analyst of North Africa and the Middle East and an adjunct at the RAND Corporation. Moderator: Dr. Jerrold D. Green, President & CEO, Pacific Council on International Policy Jerrold Green is an expert on U.S.-Iran relations.

A teleconference on the global spread of the coronavirus. As the coronavirus outbreak spreads throughout Asia and the rest of the world, scientists have emphasized the need for greater cooperation and transparency. So far, 82 have been confirmed dead with more than 2,700 infections in China. Many countries, including the United States, have issued travel warnings and evacuation plans. The 110 possible cases in 26 U.S. states and the continued global spread of the disease is already impacting financial markets, tourism and travel business, and influencing investor sentiment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently expanded its travel warning to all of China and a top U.S. health official urged Beijing to admit disease experts into the country. What can be done by the international community to stop the spread of the coronavirus? How does the current state of U.S.-China relations impact cooperation between the two countries as they work to stop the disease? Featuring: Dr. Ben Oppenheim, Scientist, Metabiota Dr. Ben Oppenheim is an applied political economist with 14 years of experience in international development, security, and global health. He currently works as a senior Scientist at Metabiota working within the Product Development group; his first product, a novel index measuring sovereign preparedness for pandemic disease outbreaks, is used by a leading global re-insurance company to design and price risk transfer policies. Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, Professor, La Jolla Institute for Immunology Erica Ollmann Saphire, Ph.D. is a Professor of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Her research explains, at the molecular level, how and why viruses like Ebola and Lassa are pathogenic and provides the roadmap for medical defense. Her team has solved the structures of the Ebola, Sudan, Marburg, Bundibugyo and Lassa virus glycoproteins. Moderator: Lorraine Schneider, Program Manager in Training & Exercise Design, Global Crisis Management, The Walt Disney Company Lorraine Schneider is a Pacific Council member and an emergency manager with experience in preparedness, response and recovery. She currently works as a Program Manager in Training & Exercise Design for The Walt Disney Company's Global Crisis Management team.