This Week

This week our eyes are on Europe as President Biden goes abroad for his first international visit. In January the new Administration laid out their priorities as: Covid-19, economic recovery, social justice, climate change and infrastructure. However, built into the Oval Office’s daily grind is shepherding American foreign policy and international relations. And to be sure there has been enough on the global agenda to keep the Administration busy.

This week, however, is a time when most headlines turn to the nuts and bolts of America’s relationships abroad — G-7, NATO, US-UK and US-EU relations, the challenge of Putin’s Russia, renewal of the Atlantic Charter with Britain and a new approach to the China-Western democracies’ ties. Looming in the background is the prospect for restoring solid American commitment to the Atlantic alliance and partnership with the EU and NATO nations, fundamentals that were shaken in the last American presidency. World leaders recall President Trump denouncing “globalists” and boosting nationalist movements in his 2019 United Nations General Assembly address. Western governments and populations have largely been positive in welcoming the Biden Administration and the President’s dictum that “Diplomacy was back.” However, many cast a wary eye on American politics and an uncertain future.

Biden’s European foray, nevertheless, should prove reaffirming to allies and challenging to adversaries. Biden’s June 16th meeting in Geneva with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be highly charged with personal and official animus. [Read “When Biden Meets Putin,” Foreign Affairs] The result is not likely to be a new relationship and a change in Putin’s belligerencies but, as White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said it’s to ““restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship.”

So, stay tuned to developments as President Biden meets with allies and adversaries in the coming week. Follow @TNWAC on Twitter for curated news reports.And take a listen to the Webcast from Brookings, “Back to What? Trans-Atlantic relations in the Biden era | Jun 11 8am CT” for insights and perspectives from experts on these issues.

Speaking of Europe, don’t forget to register for Rick Steves Webcast on Tuesday with host Amanda Knarr. Steves is legendary guidebook author, broadcaster, and promoter extraordinaire of European travel. You can get a taste in this New York Times Magazine profile [Here]. This Global Dialogue is free to active members — another reason to join the Tennessee World Affairs Council, and there is a modest fee for future members.

Sincerely,

MARK THE CALENDAR

SCRATCH YOUR TRAVEL ITCH WITH A CONVERSATION WITH RICK STEVES

Rick Steves turned backpacking across Europe as a young man into a travel industry. Books, tours, television programs, web specials, merchandise — if it has anything to do with travel to Europe, Rick Steves name comes to the top of the list. We’ll be talking with Rick on JUNE 15TH AT 7PM CT about his experiences in international travel, what we should expect in the post-pandemic era and the ability of travel to remove barriers and build bridges. Small fee for non-members. Free for new and existing paid members. Details/Registration.

AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL | GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS

Last month, President Biden announced that the US would be withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. Biden’s decision comes after an administration review of US ­options in Afghanistan, where peace talks have failed to advance and the Taliban remains a potent force despite two decades of efforts to defeat the militants and establish stable, democratic governance. The war has cost trillions of dollars in addition to the lives of more than 2,000 US service members. At least 100,000 Afghan civilians have been injured or killed. However, Washington is strongly divided on whether the withdrawal was the right decision. Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as we host General (ret.) David Petraeus, Director of the KKR Institute and former Commander of CENTCOM, ISAF, and Director of the CIA on Thursday, June 17, 2021. In collaboration with World Affairs Council of Charlotte. [Details/Register]

COMPETING FOR THE FUTURE

Your World Affairs Council is pleased to be a partner with the Connecticut World Affairs Council in offering the 2021 Global Security Forum: Competing for the Future, coming to you on October 1-2, 2021. At this forum generals, experts, and foreign leaders will convene to address the most critical global security issues of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. Look forward to details on this tremendous program and mark your calendar to participate. Learn more about the GSF HERE.

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