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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260423T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260423T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20260316T023838Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T173000Z
UID:47468-1776960000-1776967200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Beyond the Alps – Liechtenstein’s Economic Impact\, Global Ties and US Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \n \n \nLiechtenstein companies play vital roles in the U.S. domestic economy. They are market leaders in their respective sectors\, such as automotive\, construction\, dental\, audio-visual\, and more. As Liechtenstein seeks to increase its U.S. economic footprint\, one area of focus is establishing apprenticeship and vocational training programs. On the foreign policy front\, Liechtenstein\, a country with no army\, is engaged at the bilateral and multilateral levels to foster partnerships to address many of the world’s challenges. This includes working with the United States on economic security\, trade\, and other areas.Join Ambassador Sparber for an interactive conversation on Liechtenstein’s outlook as it seeks to further grow relations throughout the U.S. \nThursday\, April 23  I 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \n \n501 Commerce St\, Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n\n  \nFeatured Speaker: Ambassador Georg Sparber (Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United States)\n \nGeorg Sparber\, Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United States\, has been in Washington since 2021. Prior\, he worked as Liechtenstein’s Deputy Chief of Mission at the United Nations and in Vienna. He will discuss Liechtenstein’s key interests in the United States as it seeks to build political and economic partnerships in Washington\, as well as at the state and local levels. \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/beyond-the-alps/
LOCATION:AllianceBernstein\, 501 Commerce St\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20260224T220924Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T223128Z
UID:47395-1775145600-1775152800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Cold War Foreign Policies and Lessons for Today
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n  \n\n \n \n \nForeign policy during the Cold War served as a model for the US even after the collapse of the Soviet Union\, but recent years have shown increased dissatisfaction with US international leadership and alliance management—whether you look at Obama’s reduction in US commitment to NATO\, Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan\, or Trump’s sharp breaks with NATO and challenges to international trade. Is international leadership no longer central to US security and prosperity? Or do the costs of leadership simply exceed the benefits? Does the US need to reduce its international role and commitments\, or is this reduced international footprint a mistake? \nFrank Lavin takes us back to the Reagan era of Cold War foreign policy for an examination of what worked during that period and in what ways might America have fallen short – and discusses why the lessons of that era still might apply today\, as different as circumstances might be. \n  \nPlus\, every attendee will receive a free copy of his 2025 book “Inside the Reagan White House: A Front-Row Seat to Presidential Leadership with Lessons for Today.” \nThursday\, April 2 I 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \n \n1221 Broadway\, Suite 1300\, Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n  \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Frank Lavin (Parikh Family Fellow\, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future)\n \nFrank Lavin is active in U.S.-Asia policy\, U.S. domestic politics\, and trade policy matters. He serves as the Parikh Family Fellow at the Dornsife Center for the Political Future at the University of Southern California as well as a Trustee of the Asia Foundation and as a Director of the Asia Society of Northern California. Lavin served as Under Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Bush (43) Administration. In that capacity\, Lavin served as lead trade negotiator for both China and India and was responsible for commercial policy\, export promotion\, and trade negotiations across the globe. Lavin was previously U.S. Ambassadorto Singapore\, where he helped negotiate the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. In the private sector\, Lavin served in senior finance and management positions in Hong Kong and Singapore with Bank of America and Citibank. Lavin also served in the Bush (41) and Reagan Administrations\, working in the Department of Commerce\, Department of State\, National Security Council\, and White House. In the Reagan Administration\, Lavin served as White House Political Director. Lavin earned a B.S. from the School of Foreign Service and an M.S. in Chinese Language and History (both Georgetown); an M.A. in International Relations and International Economics from SAIS (Johns Hopkins); and an M.B.A. in Finance from Wharton (Pennsylvania). He is a columnist for Forbes.com and has been published in The New York Times\, The Washington Post\, The Wall Street Journal\, Foreign Affairs\, Foreign Policy\, and elsewhere. Lavin is the author of “Inside the Reagan White House” (Post Hill Press 2025)\, “The Smart Business Guide to China E-Commerce” (Penguin)\, co-author of “Export Now” (Wiley)\, and author of “Home Front to Battlefront” (Ohio University Press)\, a World War II history book. \nLavin also is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, and on the Advisory Board of ECIPE\, a Brussels think-tank. Lavin has participated in two humanitarian missions to Ukraine. He formerly served as a Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and as a Lt Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves. \n  \n  \n\n  \n\n  \n\n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/cold-war-foreign-policies/
LOCATION:First Bank\, 1221 Broadway\, Suite 1300\, Nashville\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260318T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20260219T191907Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T151413Z
UID:47366-1773849600-1773856800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:U.S. Combat Operations in Iran: The Latest Example of America's Asymmetric Advantage of Immediate\, Global Maneuver
DESCRIPTION: \n \n \nAmerica’s February 27 attacks in Iran once again displayed the U.S. ability to project power seemingly\, and sometimes literally\, overnight. America’s ability to deliver its military force anywhere in the world in a matter of hours remains a key asymmetric advantage that its adversaries just cannot match. This is a maneuver at a global scale. The backbone of America’s maneuver force is the men\, women\, and aircraft who\, often behind the scenes\, enable our nation’s military success. Major General Corey Martin (U.S. Air Force retired) underwrote these successes for over three decades while flying in enemy skies as well as serving in command headquarters\, and will illuminate this vital but often overlooked facet of national security\, including recent operations in Iran. \nWednesday\, March 18 I 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\n* This event is sold out *\nVenue: \n \n1221 Broadway\, Suite 1300\, Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n  \n  \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Air Force Major General Corey Martin\n  \n \nCorey Martin is an accomplished leader with over three decades of experience in rapid global mobility and logistics operations. In his final military posting\, he commanded the Air Force’s largest mobility flying unit\, 18 th Air Force\, comprised of more than 36\,000 people and over 400 aircraft. Additionally\, he led operations for the Department of Defense’s U.S. Transportation Command and for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command. He is recognized for his transformational leadership\, risk management\, and for building highly successful\, high morale teams. \nCorey has experience on all seven continents and has led organizations in six countries spanning Asia\, Europe\, the Middle East\, and North America. He is a trained diplomat and served in the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem as the United States’ senior defense official in Israel. Known for strong cross-cultural and multi-national competencies\, he was instrumental in strategic decision-making at the senior defense level. General Martin has also commanded units in Baghdad\, Iraq\, and Bishkek\, Kyrgyzstan. \nA career aviator\, General Martin was instrumental in missions that initiated American operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a Director of Operations\, he oversaw the largest air evacuation in American history and the unprecedented\, successful solution for transporting patients during the global pandemic. \nCorey earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and master’s degrees from the National War College\, the School of Air and Space Studies\, and Webster University. \n  \n  \n\n  \n\n  \n\n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/americas-maneuver/
LOCATION:First Bank\, 1221 Broadway\, Suite 1300\, Nashville\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260304T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260304T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20260212T202730Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T002339Z
UID:47352-1772643600-1772650800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:A New Framework for US-Korea Economic Relations
DESCRIPTION: \nIn 2025\, the United States and South Korea negotiated a new framework for economic relations. Under the new understanding\, South Korea has committed to investing $150 billion in the US shipbuilding industry and an additional $200 billion in other US industries\, potentially including the new Korea Zinc smelter in Clarksville. Please join the Tennessee World Affairs Council for a discussion on the current state of US-Korea economic relations and what the new economic understanding could mean for future investment. \nWednesday\, March 4\, 2026 I 11:00am-1:00pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \n \n21 Platform Way South – 23rd FloorNashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n  \n– \n\nModerator: Karl Dean\n \nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990. He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998. He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nPanelist: Troy Stangarone \n \nTroy Stangarone is a non-resident fellow with the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology. Previously\, he was the Director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy and the Deputy Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the Wilson Center. Mr. Stangarone specializes in economic and foreign policy relations on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. \nMr. Stangarone is also currently a columnist for The Korea Times and The Hankook Ilbo\, as well as a contributing author for The Diplomat. He is co-chair of the Steering Committee for the North Korea Economic Forum at the George Washington Institute for Korean Studies and a member of the Korea-America Student Conference’s National Advisory Committee. \nPrior to joining the Wilson Center\, Mr. Stangarone was Senior Director and Fellow at the Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) where he oversaw the Institute’s programmatic initiatives and focused on issues pertaining to economic and foreign policy on the Korean Peninsula. During his time at KEI\, he was a 2012-2013 Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow in South Korea\, sponsored by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies\, and a Posco Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center. Mr. Stangarone also previously worked on Capitol Hill for Senator Robert Torricelli on issues relating to foreign affairs and trade. \nMr. Stangarone holds an MSc. in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Memphis. \nPanelist: Soojin Kim\n \nSoojin focuses her practice on corporate matters\, including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions\, formation and governance of business entities\, and negotiation and drafting of commercial contracts. \nAs head of the firm’s Korea Desk\, Soojin works closely with Korean companies investing in the U.S.\, assisting throughout the investment lifecycle.  Originally from Korea and bilingual in English and Korean\, she understands the legal and practical challenges Korean companies encounter in the U.S. market. \nBefore entering private practice\, Soojin worked at the World Bank in Washington\, D.C.\, supporting investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption involving World Bank-financed development projects. \n  \nPanelist: Jason Hale\n \nJason serves as General Counsel for Hankook Tire America Corporation and the various Hankook-affiliated companies in North America. Working closely with Hankook’s global parent company\, he leads and assists with strategy and operations associated with international trade\, corporate law and governance\, antitrust\, environmental law\, and government relations. Jason also serves in a project executive and chief counsel role on Hankook’s $1.6 billion expansion of operations in Clarksville\, Tennessee\, which has an expected opening date in May 2026. Jason also serves as Corporate Director\, General Affairs & Human Resources for the company. \nPrior to joining Hankook\, Jason served as Vice President of Risk and General Counsel at Lee Company\, where he not only led the legal department but also oversaw risk management\, real estate\, commercial fleet\, and safety. Jason has also been a Chief Legal Officer in the healthcare industry and served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Tennessee. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/a-new-framework-for-us-korea-economic-relations/
LOCATION:Pinnacle Financial Partners\, 21 Platform Way South - 23rd Floor\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260218T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260218T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20260123T222901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T185806Z
UID:47307-1771434000-1771441200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Africa’s Global Rise and Why It Matters to the United States
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n \n \nAfrica’s growing geopolitical importance is reshaping global dynamics in ways that increasingly affect the United States at home. As the continent emerges as a major driver of economic growth\, innovation\, and demographic expansion\, its role in global trade\, energy security\, supply chains\, and diplomatic influence continues to expand. At the same time\, increased engagement by global powers—including China and Russia—has elevated Africa’s strategic significance for U.S. foreign policy and national security. \nUnderstanding Africa’s political and economic trajectory is therefore not only a matter of international relations\, but one that directly connects to American competitiveness\, workforce development\, economic opportunity\, and global leadership. Through this conversation\, TNWAC seeks to highlight why Africa matters to Tennessee and how global developments increasingly shape domestic realities. \n————– \nWednesday\, February 18\, 2026 I 11:00am-1:00pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue:  \nBass Berry & Sims – 21 Platform Way S\, Suite 3500\, Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Chidi Blyden (CEO and Principal at Culturally Bound)\nMs. Chidi Blyden (chee-dee\, blī-den)\, is an accomplished executive leader and former U.S. foreign policy advisor whose expertise bridges national security\, defense\, economic development\, and international policy. As Principal of Culturally Bound Consulting\, she leverages over two decades of transformative leadership to deliver actionable advice and strategies that address Africa’s complex challenges and unlock its potential by leveraging Africa’s Diaspora and culture. \nPrior to creating Culturally Bound\, Ms. Blyden was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) where she oversaw the daily management of the agency’s mission to advance transformative projects in infrastructure\, economic empowerment\, and community development. She chaired the Investment Management Committee\, responsible for MCC’s $1B in annual investments\, providing recommendations to the CEO on MCC’s $8 billion portfolio of active programs. \nMs. Blyden served in the Biden-Harris administration Pentagon\, most recently as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for African Affairs. She managed the Department of Defense’s relationships with 53 African nations and played a pivotal role in rethinking the U.S.- Africa defense relations securing and administering nearly $1 billion in funding for security cooperation\, cybersecurity\, maritime security\, humanitarian and disaster relief\, defense institution building and partnership exercises. \nWith over 15 years of government service\, Ms. Blyden served in the Obama Administration as the Special Assistant and Africa Peacekeeping Senior Advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense\, overseeing defense policy for East and Central African countries\, and served as the Department of Defense’s lead for the President’s African Leaders’ Summit in 2013 and 2022. Her tenure also included advising the House Armed Services Committee on African nations and the Western Hemisphere’s defense and security priorities from 2019-2021\, as well as her role at the National Defense University’s Africa Center for Strategic Studies from 2008-2012. \nA socio-cultural expert on Africa’s conflicts and development issues\, Ms. Blyden’s work centers on the cultural underpinnings of policy\, development and community-driven security and strategy in African contexts. As the first Africa Director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)\, she led the creation and implementation of culture-specific training for the Nigerian Armed Forces focused on minimizing civilian harm during the Boko Haram crisis in 2017-2018. Beyond her governmental roles\, Ms. Blyden is a passionate mentor and advocate for women and young leaders\, especially in fields where they are traditionally underrepresented. She is renowned for her ethical leadership and her unwavering commitment to uplifting others within the national security and defense sectors. Her impactful public service has earned her several accolades\, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service (x2)\, the “Trailblazer Award” from the Black Professionals in International Affairs Association\, the “Selfless Service” Award by the African Defense Attachés Association\, and “Aggie Impact” Award from the Black Former Students Network at Texas A&M University. \nMs. Blyden has also contributed to academia as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University in the Security Studies Program and is a regular lecturer at esteemed institutions\, including Harvard\, Texas A&M Bush School for Government and Public Service\, the National Defense University\, and international institutions. She is a Political Fellow with the Truman National Security Project\, and served on the Board and Leadership Council for Memunatu Magazine. She is a member of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security\, Women in International Security and sits on the Board of Directors of the Sitar Arts Center\, the Women Foreign Policy Group and the National Board of the World Affairs Councils of America. \nA graduate of Texas A&M University (BSc\, Sociology) and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University (MSc.\, Conflict Analysis\, and Resolution)\, Ms. Blyden was raised in Fort Worth\, Texas\, and traces her heritage to Sierra Leone. She is fluent in English and Krio\, with conversational proficiency in Pidgin and French.
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/africas-global-rise/
LOCATION:Bass\, Berry & Sims – New Location\, 21 Platform Way South\, Suite 3500\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20260111T200256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T215227Z
UID:47290-1770224400-1770231600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Latin America in a Post-Liberal World
DESCRIPTION:  \n\n \n \nAmbassador McKinley will address how the political and economic landscape of Latin America has changed over the past decade\, with an emphasis on challenges and opportunities. He will also examine Latin America’s growing international importance and its relations with the United States. \n————– \nWednesday\, February 4\, 2026 I 11:00am-1:00pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue:  \nBass Berry & Sims – 21 Platform Way S\, Suite 3500\, Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n– \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Ambassador Michael McKinley \nOver the course of his 37-year career in the US State Department\, Ambassador McKinley served as US Ambassador to Peru (2007-2010)\, Colombia (2010-2013)\, Afghanistan (2014-2016)\, and Brazil (2017-2018)\, and closed out his career as senior advisor to the Secretary of State. He helped conclude free trade agreements with Peru and Colombia\, as well as key security and economic accords with Brazil. His experience with regional conflicts and peace negotiations over three decades across three continents was central to his work as an ambassador in Colombia and Afghanistan. Ambassador McKinley is currently a Senior Counselor at The Cohen Group consultancy in Washington\, DC\, and is a non-resident senior adviser at CSIS. His articles on foreign policy have appeared in Foreign Affairs\, Foreign Policy\, Washington Post\, Politico\, and other publications. He is also the author of a book on colonial Venezuelan history\, published by Cambridge University Press\, and holds a Master’s and DPhil from Oxford University.  \n  \n  \n  \n\n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/latin-america-in-a-post-liberal-world/
LOCATION:Bass\, Berry & Sims – New Location\, 21 Platform Way South\, Suite 3500\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260121T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260121T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20251117T174839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T233125Z
UID:47198-1769014800-1769022000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The power of the Olympic brand and the geopolitics of global sport
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n\n \nWith the 2026 Milan–Cortina Olympic Winter Games just weeks away\, the Olympics are once again at the center of global attention. \nBut what most people see on television is only the surface. \nBehind the athletes and ceremonies is one of the most powerful global brands in the world—shaping diplomacy\, national image\, corporate strategy\, and geopolitical influence in ways few fans ever see. \nOn January 21\, Terrence Burns will be speaking at the Tennessee World Affairs Council Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon about the power of the Olympic brand and the geopolitics of global sport—what’s really happening behind the scenes\, why it matters now\, and what Milan–Cortina reveals about the future of the Games. \nIf you’re interested in global affairs\, international business\, or how soft power actually works\, I hope you’ll join us. \n————– \nWednesday\, January 21\, 2026 I 11:00am-1:00pm\n* Luncheon Event *\n  \nVenue:  \nPinnacle Financial Partners \n21 Platform Way South 23rd Floor \nNashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n– \n\n \nFeatured Speaker: Terrence H. Burns (Chairman and Owner\, T. Burns Sports Group\, LLC)\n \nTerrence H. Burns is a seasoned international sports and Olympic marketing executive with over 30 years of experience in marketing communications\, brand management\, and sponsorship marketing. As the Chairman and Owner of T. Burns Sports Group\, LLC\, based in Nashville\, TN\, he specializes in global sports consulting\, working with high-profile clients such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC)\, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee\, and bids for major events like the Salt Lake City 2034 Winter Games\, Saudi Arabia 2034 FIFA World Cup\, and Doha 2030 Asian Games. His career highlights include contributing to six winning Olympic bids (Beijing 2008\, Vancouver 2010\, Sochi 2014\, PyeongChang 2018\, Los Angeles 2028\, Salt Lake City 2034) and two FIFA World Cup bids (2018\, 2026).
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-power-of-the-olympic-brand-and-the-geopolitics-of-global-sport/
LOCATION:Pinnacle Financial Partners\, 21 Platform Way South - 23rd Floor\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251112T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251112T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250930T153143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T173637Z
UID:47026-1762966800-1762974000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:U.S. and Japan: Allies in Security\, Partners in Economic Prosperity
DESCRIPTION:U.S. and Japan: Allies in Security\, Partners in Economic Prosperity\nThe Tennessee World Affairs Council\, in partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville\, is hosting a panel discussion about Japan and its close relationship with the US. Panelists from Kobe University in Japan and the Hudson Institute in Washington\, DC will discuss the longstanding alliance between the US and Japan\, geopolitical and security challenges in the region faced by both countries\, and the strong economic relationship between these two great powers due to trade and Japanese investment in the US\, especially in Tennessee. \nWednesday\, November 12\, 2025 I 11:00am-1:00pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \n \n21 Platform Way South – 23rd FloorNashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n– \n\nOpening Remarks: Mr. WATANABE Shinji (Consul-General of Japan in Nashville)\n \nWatanabe Shinji assumed his post as Consul-General of Japan in Nashville in April 2024. This is his second diplomatic assignment in the United States\, following his first assignment at the Consulate-General in Denver\, Colorado. Trained in the Swedish language\, he has also served at the Embassy of Japan in Sweden on three occasions\, with his most recent assignment being the Deputy Chief of Mission. \nPrior to his assignment as Consul-General\, he worked as the Director of Exchange Programs Division\, Minister’s Secretariat\, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan from February 2021. The division is responsible for policies on people-to-people exchanges including the Fulbright Program\, JET Programs\, and sports exchanges. Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987\, Consul-General Watanabe has held various positions in fields such as international cooperation\, public relations\, and international exchange. \nConsul-General Watanabe was born in Fukuoka\, Japan. He graduated from Doshisha University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He also studied at Uppsala University in Sweden from 1989 to 1990. Consul-General Watanabe is married with two adult children. \nModerator: Andrew McDermott (Founder\, Mission Value Partners LLC)\n \nAndrew was born and raised in Memphis\, TN. After graduating from Princeton with a degree in history\, he joined NEC Logistics in Tokyo in 1992. In 1994 he fell into a finance career courtesy of JPMorgan\, where he worked on deals ranging from Chinese infrastructure finance to venture capital to tech IPOs in Hong Kong\, New York\, Singapore and San Francisco. He joined Southeastern Asset Management in 1998 and helped lead its international business until 2009 from Memphis\, Tokyo and London. In 2010\, he founded Mission Value Partners\, a Japan-focused investment firm\, in Sonoma\, CA and returned to Tennessee in 2021. His Tokyo-based partner\, Yohei Yamada\, spent six years in Maryville\, TN before returning to Japan to attend college at Keio University and pursue his PhD in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Tokyo. His essay “Let’s talk about Japan Hard Power: Japan’s industrial power-base: under discussed\, under appreciated\, undervalued\,” can be found on the Japan Optimist substack. He has contributed to the Asia-Law Institute’s Nippon Steel symposium and participated in numerous events dedicated to combining the best of the US and Japanese systems\, using Tennessee as a model of co-operation. Andrew currently resides in Nashville with his wife Kelly and four children. He enjoys rock climbing and fishing in the Smoky Mountains. \nPanelist: Dr. William Chou (Senior Fellow & Deputy Director\, Japan Chair\, Hudson Institute)\n \nWilliam Chou is a senior fellow and deputy director of Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair. His work at Hudson focuses on US-Japan/Indo-Pacific relations\, with an emphasis on economic security\, trade and investment\, and regional partnerships. Recent projects include the Nippon Steel-US Steel partnership\, critical mineral supply chains\, trilateral US-Japan-EU economic security cooperation\, and US-Japan energy partnerships with Southeast Asia.Dr. Chou writes and speaks regularly on policy issues\, with his writing and analysis appearing in publications such as The Wall Street Journal\, Bloomberg\, Politico\, The Washington Post\, Nikkei\, The New York Times\, and the Financial Times.He holds a BA in history from Yale and a PhD in history from The Ohio State University\, with a dissertation on Cold War US-Japan commercial and diplomatic relations. He is a former fellow at the Smithsonian\, the Clements Center at UT-Austin\, and the University of Tokyo. He got his start as a research analyst at the Institute for Defense Analyses during the Iraq War.A native New Yorker\, Dr. Chou is a former Jeopardy! champion. \nPanelist: Dr. Tosh Minohara (Professor of International Relations & Security Studies\, Kobe University)\n \nDr. Tosh Minohara is Professor of Ko\, where he holds a joint appointment with the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies. He received his B.A. in International Relations from the University of California\, Davis\, and his Ph.D. in Political and Diplomatic History from Kobe University. He is the founder and chairman of the Research Institute of Indo-Pacific Affairs (RIIPA)\, a nonprofit organization certified by the Cabinet Office. He is also a senior advisor to KREAB Japan and the National Security Group of the Global Tekijuku\, as well as a member of the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives (Kansai Keizai Doyukai). In addition\, he was formerly an external advisor to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)\, lecturer at both the Japan Maritime and Air Self-Defense Force (JMSDF/JASDF) Command and Staff Colleges\, and has served three tours (2011\, 2022\, 2023) on the JMDF training squadron as an academic observer/lecturer. He is the author of numerous books and articles\, including the most recent\, The Handbook of Japan’s Foreign and Domestic Policies During the Decade of Abe (Amsterdam University Press\, 2025). His academic achievements have been recognized as a recipient of both the Shimizu Hiroshi Prize (2002) and the Japan Academic Research Award (2019). \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/us-and-japan-2025/
LOCATION:Pinnacle Financial Partners\, 21 Platform Way South - 23rd Floor\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251106T171000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251106T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250729T185940Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251106T030222Z
UID:46743-1762449000-1762455600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Leading through Partnership: Tennessee’s Strategy for Global Investment
DESCRIPTION:  \nThis event is sold out\n \nLeading through Partnership: Tennessee’s Strategy for Global Investment\nJoin TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter on November 6 as he delivers the keynote address for the Tennessee World Affairs Council Distinguished Speaker Series. He will highlight how Tennessee’s focus on building strong\, long-term relationships has made it a trusted partner for global companies for decades. With more than 1\,000 international businesses operating in the state\, these global brands are not only a testament to Tennessee’s welcoming business climate—they are among its strongest selling points in attracting new investment. Through the keynote address\, attendees will gain a better understanding of how the state’s commitment to partnership\, connectivity\, and a personalized approach continues to set Tennessee apart on the global stage. \nThursday\, November 6th I 11:10 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \n \n1221 Broadway\, Suite 1300 \nNashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n  \n\n \nSpeaker: Stuart McWhorter (Commissioner\, Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development)\nStuart C. McWhorter has served as TNECD commissioner since July 2022. During his tenure\, TNECD has nearly 120 projects\, which represent more than 17\,000 job commitments and $9.7 billion in capital investment. Of those projects\, more than 28 percent were the result of foreign direct investment. \nMcWhorter has a diverse background in entrepreneurship\, corporate finance\, and strategic planning. He served as co-founder and chairman of Clayton Associates with over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship and early-stage investing. \nMcWhorter stepped away from Clayton Associates in 2019 to join Governor Lee’s administration as Commissioner of the Department of Finance and Administration. He led the drafting of two fiscal year state budgets\, co-chaired the Governor’s Healthcare Modernization Task Force\, and was appointed director of the Tennessee Unified Command Group to coordinate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. \nIn addition\, McWhorter previously served as the CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and chairman of the Board of Directors of Nashville-based FirstBank Financial Corporation (NYSE: FBK). He received his Master of Health Administration from The University of Alabama-Birmingham and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Clemson University. \nMcWhorter resides in Nashville with his wife\, Leigh Anne\, and their five children. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/leading-through-partnership-tennessees-strategy-for-global-investment/
LOCATION:First Bank\, 1221 Broadway\, Suite 1300\, Nashville\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251015T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251015T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250630T185504Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T201151Z
UID:46563-1760544000-1760551200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The Global Country Music Scene in 2025
DESCRIPTION:  \n  \n \n\nThe Global Country Music Scene in 2025\n\nThe global influence of Country Music is expanding at an extraordinary pace\, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for artists around the world. This presentation will explore how the Country Music Association (CMA) is leading the way in building international connections\, opening new markets\, and driving growth across borders. With international consumption of Country Music reaching an all-time high in key territories\, Trahern will share the data and insights fueling this global momentum\, while emphasizing the industry’s role in empowering today’s artists to prioritize international development for sustained success.\n\n\n \nWednesday\, October 15 I 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \nBass Berry & Sims \n21 Platform Way S Suite 3500 Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n  \n\nSpeaker: Sarah Trahern \n \nSarah Trahern was named CEO of the Country Music Association on January 1\, 2014. She helms the organization’s three acclaimed network television properties (“CMA Fest\,” “CMA Country Christmas\,” and the CMA Awards)\, one of the biggest music festivals in the world\, and serves as President of the CMA Foundation\, which funds meaningful music education initiatives across the country. Throughout her career\, Sarah has been an advocate for Country Music\, the artists\, songwriters\, and the extensive creative and business communities that fuel the format. With foresight and determination\, she has crafted a brand identity for country music at the highest level and has been at the forefront of some of the industry’s most ambitious initiatives\, fostering gender equality\, inclusion\, and preserving the legacy. \nPrior to CMA\, Sarah was General Manager of cable network Great American Country (GAC)\, where she had executive oversight of the network’s creative and digital initiatives. Sarah joined Scripps-owned GAC in 2005 and was quickly promoted to SVP of Programming before being named GM in 2010. Sarah began her career at C-SPAN in Washington\, D.C.\, covering politics and public affairs before moving to Nashville in 1995 to oversee specials and entertainment series for The Nashville Network (TNN). After her time at TNN\, she launched her own successful company\, Sterling Television\, working with several networks including DIY\, HGTV\, and CMT\, where she produced Johnny Cash’s memorial service. \nA leader with vision who values relationships\, Sarah has been recognized as one of the Nashville Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs. She is consistently included on Billboard’s Country Power Players list and was named “Executive of the Year” in 2017. In 2011\, she was the subject and honoree of the prestigious Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum\, presented by the Country Music Hall of Fame\, and has also been honored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In July 2024\, she was also honored with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award by the Grand Ole Opry. Lauded for her business contributions\, Sarah demonstrates an equally strong commitment to the community. She serves on boards for the Monroe Carroll Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt\, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum\, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation (NCVC)\, Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management\, Leadership Nashville\, and the Music City Bowl. She also chaired the Entertainment Committee for the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville and served on the 2018 NFL Draft Committee. She is an alumna of both Leadership Music and Leadership Nashville. \nA graduate of Georgetown University with an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University\, Sarah grew up in Champaign-Urbana\, Illinois. \nModerator: Karl Dean\n \nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County.  He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990.  He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998.  He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/luncheon-with-sarah-trahern/
LOCATION:Bass\, Berry & Sims – New Location\, 21 Platform Way South\, Suite 3500\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251002T161500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251003T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250630T135155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T163117Z
UID:46473-1759421700-1759514400@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The Frontlines of Trade: Why Global Supply Chains Are America’s National Interest
DESCRIPTION:Presents \n \nThe Frontlines of Trade: Why Global Supply Chains Are America’s National Interest\nJoin GEODIS CEO Mike Honious as he explores why supply chains are no longer just a business function—they’re a national priority. From pharmaceuticals to electronics equipment\, discover how resilient logistics systems fuel America’s economy\, security\, and independence. Learn what every leader must understand about the new global battleground: trade. \nThursday\, October 2nd I 11:15 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \n \n501 Commerce St\, Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n\nSpeaker: Mike Honious (President and CEO of GEODIS’ Americas)\nAs President and CEO of GEODIS’ Americas region\, Mike Honious oversees the Americas\, including contract logistics\, transportation management\, freight forwarding\, engineering and technology\, IT\, and ProVenture (a U.S.-based subsidiary of GEODIS focusing on industrial real estate) and Material Handling Resources (one of the country’s leading material handling distributors owned by GEODIS). Mike has served several roles over his nearly 20-year tenure at GEODIS and was most recently named President and CEO of the Americas in 2020. Today\, Mike leads the region’s more than 17\,000 teammates across eight countries\, continuing to offer a better way to deliver for its customers. \n  \nEducation: – University of Dayton\, BS Industrial Engineering Technology – Harvard Executive Strategy – Vanderbilt Executive Leadership – University of Tennessee Supply Chain Forum – Penn State Supply Chain Executive Leadership \nOrganizations: – Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (January 2024 – December 2025) Nashville Branch Board of Directors – LEAD Public Schools Metro Nashville (February 2019 – Present) Board Chair – Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville (January 2023 – Present) Board Member – GEODIS Foundation and GEODIS Compassion Fund (2010 to Present) Director & Co-founder  \nHonors & Awards: – DC Velocity Rainmakers Award (2022) – Nashville Business Journal Power 100 (2022-2023) – Nashville Post In Charge List (2021-2023)
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-frontlines-of-trade/
LOCATION:AllianceBernstein\, 501 Commerce St\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250918T161000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250918T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250630T183031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250922T163552Z
UID:46557-1758211800-1758218400@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Trump 2.0: US Policy Shifts Amid a Changing Middle East Landscape
DESCRIPTION:  \n \nTrump 2.0: US Policy Shifts Amid a Changing Middle East Landscape\n  \nEight months into the second Trump administration\, the Middle East has become a more prominent focus of overall U.S. foreign policy. This first eight months was one of high operations tempo for the United States and included President Trump’s Gulf trip; a major policy shift to lift sanctions on Syria and meet with Syria’s de facto leader\, Ahmed Al-Sharaa; U.S. military strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites along with U.S. support for a 12-day Israeli military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear program\, military leadership\, and infrastructure; and diplomacy in the region led by prominent Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Tom Barrack. \nThe impact of these significant actions by the United States in the Middle East remains mixed. Close U.S. partners in the Middle East\, particularly the countries Trump visited in May\, have seen new opportunities to deepen strategic\, economic\, energy\, technological\, and military ties with the United States. However\, the impact of Trump’s tariffs and broader trade war may ultimately undercut these openings to strengthen bilateral relations and incentivize regional partners to diversify their global economic relationships. \nIran\, Israel-Palestine\, and the Houthis in Yemen remain the three major unresolved variables in the Middle East equation. While Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure suffered considerable damage\, it is unclear if these actions will produce a lasting resolution to concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and destabilizing actions. The weakest link in U.S. policy in the Middle East remains the Israel-Palestinian front as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. In contrast\, Syria and Lebanon present key opportunities for U.S. policy and engagement\, but this will require sustained U.S. diplomatic engagement over the months and years ahead. \nThis presentation will assess whether Trump 2.0’s overall foreign policy approach—characterized by transactional diplomacy\, selective military engagement\, and attempts to use America’s economic power to gain global leverage—is likely to produce a more durable and sustainable security environment in the Middle East\, amid a rapidly evolving regional landscape. \nThursday\, September 18th I 11:10 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\n  \nVenue: \nHolland & Knight \n511 Union St. #2700 Nashville\, TN 37219 \n  \n  \n\nSpeaker: Brian Katulis\n \nBrian Katulis is a Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy at the Middle East Institute. He was formerly a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress (CAP)\, where he built the Center’s Middle East program and also worked on broader issues related to U.S. national security. \nHe has produced influential studies that have shaped important discussions around regional policy\, often providing expert testimony to key congressional committees on his findings. Katulis has also conducted extensive research in countries such as Egypt\, Israel\, Jordan\, and the Palestinian territories. His past experience includes work at the National Security Council and the U.S. Departments of State and Defense. \nEducationMaster in Public Affairs\, Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs Bachelor of Arts in history and Arab and Islamic studies\, Villanova University Fulbright scholar in Jordan\, 1994 – 1995 \nRegions of ExpertiseEgypt\, Israel\, the Palestinian territories\, Jordan \nIssues of ExpertiseNational security\, U.S. foreign policy\, diplomacy \nModerator: Dr. Breck Walker\nBreck Walker pursued a twenty-year career in international business\, law\, and finance\,before turning to academia. For several years\, he taught foreign policy courses atSewanee\, The University of the South\, and worked as a contract historian for the Officeof the Secretary of Defense Historical Office\, researching and writing on the early Pentagonpolicies in the computer security and cyber areas. Dr. Walker is currently retired. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/trump-2-0-us-policy-shifts-amid-a-changing-middle-east-landscape/
LOCATION:Holland & Knight\, 511 Union Street Suite 2700\, Nashville\, TN\, 37219\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250903T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250903T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250630T180541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T162332Z
UID:46551-1756915200-1756922400@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Truly a Turning Point?  Europe’s New View of Transatlantic Security
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n\nTruly a Turning Point?  Europe’s New View of Transatlantic Security\n\nWednesday\, September 3 I 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\n\nThree years ago\, Germany’s leader said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point.  Europe could no longer count on the framework of postwar international agreements to keep war from its borders.  In February of 2022\, it seemed Europe’s threat perception had changed for good.  Three and a half years on\, we’ll examine whether that holds true.  How has Europe’s approach to security changed — and can European countries sustain it? How can we measure change in the years ahead?  What will transatlantic security look like five years from now?  Join us for a discussion about what changes we can (and can’t) expect — and what it means for the United States.\n\nVenue: \nBass Berry & Sims \n21 Platform Way S Suite 3500 Nashville\, TN 37203 \n  \n  \n\nSpeaker: Robin Quinville\n \nRobin Quinville spent more than 30 years as a U.S. diplomat\, serving primarily inEurope. Her postings included two multilateral organizations (the Organization onSecurity and Cooperation in Europe and NATO) and bilateral postings to Cyprus (2000-2003)\, Bosnia (2004-2006)\, Greece (2006-2008)\, the United Kingdom (2009-2012)\, andthree postings to Germany (1988-89; 2012-2015; 2018-2021). She also spent a year(2008-2009) in Baghdad\, Iraq. In Washington\, she directed the Office of WesternEuropean Affairs at the Department of State and spent a year as a Wilson Center State Fellow. Quinville’s last diplomatic assignment was as DCM and then Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Berlin; she left the diplomatic service after returning to Washington in July 2021. Quinville then spent a semester as the Sol M. Linowitz Visiting Professor of International Affairs at Hamilton College in Clinton\, New York in the spring of 2022; she also taught for the Bush School of Government in Washington\, D.C. in the summer of 2022. She joined the Wilson Center as Director of the Global Europe Program in May 2022. A native of California\, Quinville lives in Arlington\, Va. \n  \n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/europes-new-view-of-transatlantic-security/
LOCATION:Bass\, Berry & Sims – New Location\, 21 Platform Way South\, Suite 3500\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250820T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250820T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250630T163415Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250825T152109Z
UID:46542-1755705600-1755712800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:China's Push for Superpower Status in a World in Turmoil
DESCRIPTION:  \n \n \nWednesday\, August 20 I 11:00 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue: \nHolland & Knight \n511 Union St. #2700 Nashville\, TN 37219 \nIs China the Next Global Superpower? \nChina is on the move—vying with the U.S. for dominance in trade\, technology\, and global influence. As American alliances waver and Beijing aligns with powers like Russia and Iran\, China is making strategic advances across Africa\, Latin America\, and the global South. Meanwhile\, cutting-edge technologies like DeepSeek AI and EV supremacy suggest a “Sputnik moment” for the U.S. \nBut the story isn’t one-sided. Inside China\, mounting debt\, a shrinking workforce\, and rising youth unemployment paint a more complex picture. How is President Xi’s tech-driven vision reshaping the economy\, and what does it mean for the rest of the world? \nIn this timely and provocative discussion\, China expert Dexter Tiff Roberts will unpack: \n· China’s strategy to challenge U.S. global leadership \n· Emerging tech and economic rivalries \n· Beijing’s growing influence in the Global South \n· Internal economic pressures threatening China’s rise \n· What does it all mean for global stability\, trade\, and power dynamics \nThis is a must-attend for anyone interested in global affairs\, U.S.-China relations\, and the forces reshaping the 21st century. Whether you’re a student\, policymaker\, business leader\, or globally curious\, you’ll leave with sharper insights into the world’s most consequential geopolitical rivalry. \n  \n\n \nSpeaker: Dexter Tiff Roberts\n \nDexter Tiff Roberts is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global China Hub; publisher of Trade War\, a weekly on US-China relations and the Chinese economy; instructor in Chinese politics at the University of Montana; author of The Myth of Chinese Capitalism (St. Martin’s Press\, 2020). He is the founder and publisher of Trade War\, a weekly newsletter on Chinese business and politics\, with over 5\,000 subscribers from government\, finance\, and academia\, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub\, and an instructor in Chinese politics and history at the University of Montana. He is a sought-after commentator on the Chinese economy and U.S.-China relations\, with his analysis featured in Foreign Affairs\, The Washington Post\, Politico\, The Wall Street Journal\, Bloomberg\, NPR\, the BBC\, and CNN. \nRoberts served for more than two decades as China bureau chief and Asia News Editor at Bloomberg Businessweek\, based in Beijing\, where he covered China’s accession to the World Trade Organization\, the impact of the Global Financial Crisis\, and the rise of authoritarian leader Xi Jinping. He has reported from all of China’s provinces and regions\, including Tibet and Xinjiang\, as well as from Mongolia\, Cambodia\, and North Korea. Previously\, he was director of China affairs at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center. \nRoberts has won numerous journalism honors for his writing\, including Overseas Press Club and Society of Publishers in Asia editorial excellence awards. He is regularly asked to share his views on China. He has spoken at the Council on Foreign Relations\, the National Endowment for Democracy\, the Asia Society\, the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco\, the Contemporary Centre for China Affairs at India’s Ministry of External Affairs\, as well as at numerous universities in the U.S.\, China and Hong Kong. He has lectured on Chinese disinformation at the Foreign Service Institute at the U.S. Department of State\, and provided testimony on the Chinese economy to the congressionally mandated U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission and the UK Cabinet Office. \nRoberts holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stanford University and a Master of International Affairs\, with a focus on China\, from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. He studied at National Taiwan Normal University’s Mandarin Training Center in Taipei and speaks fluent Chinese. Roberts’ first book\, The Myth of Chinese Capitalism: the Worker\, the Factory and the Future of the World (St. Martin’s Press)\, was chosen as one of The Economist’s “best books of the year” for 2020\, and was a best seller in Chinese\, published by Taiwan’s Gusa Publishing. \nModerator: Jeremy Goldkorn\n \n\nJeremy Goldkorn is an editorial fellow at the Asia Society’s ChinaFile\, the editor of The China Week\, and founder of the Rhyming Chaos podcast. He co-founded the Sinica Podcast in 2010\, and was editor-in-chief of The China Project from 2016 to 2023. Goldkorn moved from his hometown of Johannesburg\, South Africa to China in 1995 and became managing editor of Beijing’s first independent English-language entertainment magazine. He later edited and founded several other publications\, including the website Danwei\, which tracked Chinese media\, markets\, politics and business\, which was acquired in 2013 by the Financial Times. While in China\, he lived in a workers’ dormitory\, produced a documentary film about African soccer players in Beijing\, and rode a bicycle from Peshawar to Kathmandu via Kashgar and Lhasa. He moved to Nashville\, Tennessee in 2015. He is a graduate of the University of Cape Town. \n\n\n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/chinas-push-for-superpower-status/
LOCATION:Holland & Knight\, 511 Union Street Suite 2700\, Nashville\, TN\, 37219\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250514T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250514T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250408T180301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250523T144551Z
UID:45935-1747222200-1747227600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Global Geopolitics 2025: What is happening\, why\, and where is this all likely to go?
DESCRIPTION:presents \n \n  \nGlobal Geopolitics 2025: What is happening\, why\, and where is this all likely to go?\nWednesday\, May 14 I 11:30 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue:\nOmni Hotel (Broadway Ballroom West)\n250 Rep. John Lewis Way South\,  Nashville\, TN 37203 \n*Parking is not included in your ticket price. Valet parking is available at the hotel for $25** \nRegister Now \n  \n\n  \nSpeaker: ADMIRAL MICHAEL S. ROGERS\, U.S. NAVY (RETIRED)\n Admiral Rogers is a member of the Board of Directors or Advisory Board to multiple companies in the private sector. He also works in the consulting and venture capital arenas across the globe while also speaking internationally to various business and academic groups in the areas of cyber security\, geopolitics\, technology\, leadership\, and crisis response. He can be seen on major media outlets across the globe on occasion addressing those same issues. He is a Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management’s and works with DoD in the mentoring and professional development of its General and Flag officers. \nMike served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 37 years ending his service as a four-star admiral. Admiral Rogers retired from the U.S. Navy in 2018 and culminated his career in uniform with a four plus year tour as both the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director\, National Security Agency – creating the DoD’s then newest combatant command (the senior-most war-fighting organizations within the DoD) and leading the largest intelligence organization in the free world. In those roles\, he worked with the senior-most leadership of the U.S. government\, the DoD and the Intelligence community as well as their international counterparts in the conduct of cyber and intelligence activity across the globe. He also assisted in the development of national and international policy with respect to cyber\, intelligence\, privacy and technology – including extensive work with corporate leadership in the finance\, IT\, telecommunications and technology – and global security more broadly. \nPrior to his final duties he also served as Commander\, U.S TENTH FLEET/Fleet Cyber Command and the Director of Intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the INDO-PACIFIC Command. He served afloat and ashore around the world during his career. \nHe is a graduate of Auburn University and holds a Masters in National Security (East Asia) and is a distinguished graduate of the National War College and a graduate of highest distinction from the Naval War College. He is also an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow and a Harvard Senior Executive in National Security alum. \n  \n\n  \n \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/global-geopolitics-2025-what-is-happening-why-and-where-is-this-all-likely-to-go/
LOCATION:Omni Hotel\, 250 Rep. John Lewis Way South\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series,Luncheon
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250423T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250204T182933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T170842Z
UID:38556-1745407800-1745413200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Innovation\, Creativity\, Character: Equipping People for Transformative Leadership in the 21st Century
DESCRIPTION:Presents\n \nInnovation\, Creativity\, Character: Equipping people for Transformative Leadership in the 21st Century\nHigher education at its best prepares students both for their first jobs and for opportunities well into the future. Currently the curricula and mindsets of too many institutions reflect an orientation toward 1995 rather than 2050. We need frameworks that blend innovation (and an entrepreneurial mindset)\, creativity\, and character to enable students to become equipped for the leadership the world needs. \n                Belmont has long had a focus on innovation\, creativity\, and character. We are now doubling down on the importance of those themes and especially their intersections. We are focused on equipping students with the mindsets\, skills\, and character to prepare them both for their first jobs and for lifelong learning so they are equipped for jobs\, roles\, and leadership we can’t even anticipate yet – both locally and globally. \n\n  \nSpeaker: Dr. L. Gregory Jones – President of Belmont University\n \nGregory Jones is President of Belmont University. Prior to serving at Belmont Greg served in a variety of faculty and administrative leadership roles at Duke University. Greg is known as a leader and strategist whose creative engagement has helped institutions across the world and in local communities to create transformational resource models. He is known for an entrepreneurial mindset as well as emphases on character and purpose in higher education\, emphases in his leadership at Belmont. He is the author or editor of 19 books\, and has authored more than 200 essays/articles. He is known for books on forgiveness (Embodying Forgiveness and the co-authored Forgiving as We’ve Been Forgiven)\, Christian leadership (the co-authored Resurrecting Excellence) and social innovation (Christian Social Innovation). His most recent book is the co-authored Navigating the Future: Traditioned Innovation for Wilder Seas (2021). \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/innovation-creativity-character/
LOCATION:Belmont University Janet Ayers Academic Center Fourth Floor Conference Space C\, 1803 15th Ave S\,\, Nashville\, TN\, 37212\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250409T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250409T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250317T182247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192652Z
UID:45601-1744223400-1744227000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:International Careers Panel (Hybrid Event)
DESCRIPTION:presents \n \nInternational Careers Panel\nThe International Careers Panel is part of our Global Dialogue Webinar Series. This event will bring distinguished professionals together to share their experiences and insights and discuss the preparation and transition from college to careers\, including the tools\, skills\, and competencies needed to enter the profession\, the upsides and downsides of working in those jobs\, and internship opportunities in their organizations. These panels are aimed at college\, high school\, and young professionals\, but they’re open to everyone\, including TNWAC members and partner institutions across Tennessee. \nWednesday\, April 9 I 1:30pm CT / 2:30pm ET – 2:30pm CT / 3:30pm ET\nVenue:\nUniversity of Tennessee (Toyota Auditorium)\n1640 Cumberland Ave Knoxville\, TN 37996 \nSpecial Needs\, Accommodations\, and Event Questions: \nWe strive to be open and inclusive with our events. Please contact us at either info@TNWAC.org or at (309) 550-0782 if you need any accommodations\, special requests\, or have additional event-related questions. \n_______________________________________ \nModerator:\nDr. Gretchen Neisler\, PhD (University of Tennessee Vice Provost for International Affairs\, Director\, Center for Global Engagement)\nGretchen Neisler\, Vice Provost for International Affairs at the University of Tennessee\, works with faculty\, staff\, students and key stakeholders to understand and deepen their engagement as global citizens. Dr. Neisler has successfully managed over $120 million in grant funding to support the work of international research and development. Gretchen believes higher education must support students in understanding their role as global citizens and use the institutional strength of knowledge creation to solve global challenges the world faces. Additionally\, she feels the role of higher education in a community is to understand its societal needs and work collaboratively to meet those needs. Gretchen has worked for 20 years to build global networks that enhance research productivity and preparing a new generation of leaders to take the world’s stage by understanding that problems span geographic boundaries. Her passion is derived from the belief that science has the power to positively impact society and higher education is vital to sharing this knowledge with community stakeholders. Gretchen is an experienced leader with strengths in organizational change and team development. She holds a PhD. in higher education administration from Michigan State University. \nPanelists:\nMajor General William B. Hickman\, US Army (Retired)\nHickman served 36 years in the United States Army\, much of which was spent deployed to Europe and the Middle East. He commanded troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In 2005-2006\, he was a senior leader in the Train and Assist Command in Iraq. In 2007-2008\, he commanded troops during the surge in Baghdad. He finished his Army service\, first as the deputy commander of US Army Central in Kuwait\, supporting operations across the Middle East with an emphasis on Iraq\, Syria\, and Afghanistan. His final assignment was as the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy at the Allied Command Transportation\, Norfolk\, Virginia. \nSince retiring from the US Army\, Hickman has published a political science textbook\, Understanding the US Military\, as a co-editor. Additionally\, as a Lecturer in Political Science\, he co-taught a Vanderbilt undergraduate class on the Iraq War (Spring Semester 2024). \nHickman earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. \nCasey Santos is the (Chief Technology Officer at Caliber)\nCasey Santos is the CTO of Caliber\, a family of automotive repair and service brands. She also is an independent board director\, and advisor with expertise in leveraging AI\, data analytics\, and cloud technologies to drive innovation and business value while managing cybersecurity\, resiliency\, and regulatory compliance. Formerly the Chief Information Officer at Asurion\, SVP of Business Process Innovation at AllianceBernstein\, and CIO at General Atlantic\, she began her career at NASA’s Mission Control as an aerospace engineer and later transitioned into IT consulting and senior technology leadership roles at McKinsey\, and McKinsey’s private investment office.\nMs. Santos serves on the boards of Omnicom\, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (as Audit Compliance and Risk Committee Chair)\, and Nashville Electric Service\, and is a Special Advisor for Generative AI at Vanderbilt University. She has also held leadership and advisory roles with organizations such as the Nashville Technology Council\, AWS\, Zoom\, and Writer. A recipient of honors from HITEC\, Nashville Tech Council\, WomenTech\, and Constellation Research\, she holds degrees from MIT (B.S.)\, Wharton (M.B.A.)\, and the Lauder Institute (M.A.). \nDr. Krystyne Savarese (Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director\, UT Knoxville Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration)\nIn her role as associate vice provost and executive director of the Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration\, Krystyne Savarese strives to ensure all UT students are set up for success in achieving their goals. In this role\, she leads the unit’s efforts including career services\, employer development\, exploration\, and the implementation of the Vol Edge. \nKrystyne has served in a variety of roles in over 20 years in higher education. She started her career at Ohio State University in residence life\, later serving in the Center for the Study of Student Life\, and finally in the Office of Legal Affairs where she managed the university’s policy portfolio. Prior to her time at UT Knoxville\, Krystyne served as the senior director of residence life at Rutgers University\, New Brunswick. \nOriginally from Southern California\, Krystyne has a B.A. in English from the University of California\, Irvine\, and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University. \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/international-careers-panel-2025/
LOCATION:University of Tennessee – Toyota Auditorium\, 1640 Cumberland Ave\, Knoxville\, TN\, 37996\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series,Webinar
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250408T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250408T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250213T152243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T213755Z
UID:38612-1744129800-1744135200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Diplomacy in the 21st Century
DESCRIPTION:Presents\n \nDiplomacy in the 21st Century\nIn an increasingly interconnected world\, U.S. diplomats face a growing array of complex global challenges—from climate change and cyber threats to geopolitical tensions and humanitarian crises. As these challenges evolve\, the question arises: Are our diplomats equipped with the tools\, resources\, and support they need to navigate them effectively? Against the backdrop of a transitioning administration\, this discussion will explore the state of the U.S. Foreign Service\, the key role diplomats play in safeguarding American interests\, and what the future holds for diplomacy in a rapidly changing global landscape. \nTuesday\, April 8th I 11:15 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue:\nBass Berry & Sims\n21 Platform Way South\, Suite 3500 Nashville\, TN 37203 \n\nSpeaker: Thomas Yazdgerdi (President\, American Foreign Service Association)\n \nA member of the Senior Foreign Service\, Tom Yazdgerdi served from 2019 to 2023 as the AFSA State VP and is proud of the many wins that AFSA has gotten for our members. Before that\, he was special envoy for Holocaust issues in the European and Eurasian Bureau at the Department of State. \nMr. Yazdgerdi has served as director of the Office of South Central European Affairs\, political counselor at U.S. Embassy Kabul\, head of U.S. Consulate Kirkuk\, and deputy political counselor for Iran affairs at U.S. Embassy Baghdad. He also served as deputy chief of mission and political economic chief at U.S. Embassy Pristina during the run-up to and aftermath of Kosovo independence. \nBefore joining the Foreign Service in 1991\, Mr. Yazdgerdi worked on Capitol Hill. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Cornell University and a master’s degree in Central European history\, security studies\, and American diplomatic history from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/diplomacy-in-the-21st-century/
LOCATION:Bass\, Berry & Sims – New Location\, 21 Platform Way South\, Suite 3500\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250325T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250325T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250204T223459Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T214011Z
UID:38565-1742920200-1742925600@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The Dollar is the Globe’s Reserve Currency: Once you lose it\, you never get it back
DESCRIPTION:Presents \n \n  \nThe Dollar is the Globe’s Reserve Currency: Once you lose it\, you never get it back\nJoin us for AllianceBernstein’s President and CEO Seth Bernstein for an insightful discussion on the importance of the dollar for the U.S. and the rest of the world. Seth Bernstein (no relation to the firm) has led AllianceBernstein since 2017. AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers diversified investment services to institutional investors\, individuals\, and private wealth clients in major world markets. \nTuesday\, March 25th I 11:15am – 1:00pm\nat \nHolland & Knight \n511 Union Street Suite 2700 Nashville\, TN 37219 \n\n\n\nSpeaker: Seth Bernstein (President and CEO\, AllianceBernstein)\n \nSeth Bernstein was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of AllianceBernstein (AB) in 2017. In 2018\, he was appointed Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Asset Management of Equitable Holdings. Prior to his appointment at AB\, Bernstein had a distinguished 32-year career at JPMorgan Chase\, most recently as managing director and global head of Managed Solutions & Strategy at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. In this role\, he was responsible for the management of all discretionary assets within the Private Banking client segment. Among other roles\, Bernstein served as managing director and global head of Fixed Income & Currency for 10 years\, concluding in 2012. Prior to that\, he held the position of CFO at JPMorgan Chase’s Investment Management and Private Banking division. \nBernstein holds a BA in political science and economics from Haverford College. He is Vice-Chair of Haverford College’s Board of Managers and the Clerk of the board’s Investment Committee. Bernstein is also a member of the Council of Foreign Relations in New York\, as well as a Board of Trustees member of the Brookings Institution and a governor of the Investment Company Institute\, both in Washington\, DC. In addition\, he serves as a trustee of Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville\, TN. \nModerator: Karl Dean\n \nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County.  He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990.  He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998.  He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-dollar-is-the-globes-reserve-currency/
LOCATION:Holland & Knight\, 511 Union Street Suite 2700\, Nashville\, TN\, 37219\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250318T161500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250318T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184200
CREATED:20250128T182250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T214202Z
UID:38503-1742314500-1742320800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The Middle East on Fire
DESCRIPTION:Presents\n \nThe Middle East on Fire\nThe Middle East is witnessing the almost total collapse of deterrence as both state and non-state actors take huge risks amid the region’s deepening cycles of conflict and violence. Continued escalation lays bare the reality of a region that has grown profoundly more perilous since Hamas’s October 7 terror attack and the ensuing Gaza conflict. The Middle East is no longer bound by established rules of engagement and modes of deterrence. Assumptions undergirding the behavior and risk calculus of many state and nonstate actors in the region are increasingly obsolete. Clear redlines and mutually accepted rules of the game are glaringly absent. So\, too\, are reliable channels through which the warring parties can de-escalate. \nThe United States can rebuild its waning influence and play a decisive role in restoring deterrence in a region where countries and militant groups now feel able to act recklessly. But it has to recognize first that its current policies are inadequate and outdated. It continues to rely largely on conventional military approaches to deterrence that fail to account for the shifts roiling the region: emboldened nonstate actors\, unrestrained state actors\, and disruptive technologies. Washington must help all parties minimize the likelihood of miscalculation and work to stop the erosion of deterrence that has inflamed violence. If it does not do so\, it will risk being drawn into a regionwide conflict with global implications. \nTuesday\, March 18th I 11:15 am – 1:00 pm\n* Luncheon Event *\nVenue:\nBelmont University – Massey Rogers Boardroom (Parking on Inman Center)\n1601-1603 Wedgewood Av. Nashville\, TN 37201 \n\n  \n\n\nSpeaker: Mona Yacoubian (VP of Middle East North Africa Center\, United States Institute of Peace)\nMona Yacoubian is vice president of the Middle East and North Africa center at USIP. She brings more than 30 years of experience working on the Middle East and North Africa. Her work has centered on conflict analysis\, governance and stabilization challenges\, and conflict prevention. \nSince returning to USIP as a senior advisor in 2017\, her work has focused on Syria\, Lebanon and Iraq. Additional research interests include Russia’s role in the Middle East and violent extremism. In 2019\, she served as executive director of the Congressionally-appointed Syria Study Group\, which USIP was mandated to facilitate. \nYacoubian joined the U.S. Institute of Peace after serving as deputy assistant administrator in the Middle East Bureau at USAID from 2014 to 2017\, where she had responsibility for Iraq\, Syria\, Jordan and Lebanon. Prior to joining USAID\, Yacoubian was a senior advisor at the Stimson Center focusing on the Arab uprisings with an emphasis on Syria. Prior to joining the Stimson Center\, she served as a special advisor on the Middle East at the U.S. Institute of Peace\, where her work focused on Lebanon and Syria as well as broader issues related to democratization in the Arab world. From 1990 to 1998\, Yacoubian served as the North Africa analyst in the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research. \nYacoubian was a Fulbright scholar in Syria where she studied Arabic at the University of Damascus from 1985 to 1986. She has held an international affairs fellowship with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and is currently a CFR member. She earned a master’s in public administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s in public policy from Duke University. \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-middle-east-on-fire/
LOCATION:Belmont University – Barbara Massey Rogers Center Board Room\, 1900 Belmont Blvd.\, Nashville\, TN\, 37212\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250205T171500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250205T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20250114T194131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T175824Z
UID:38460-1738775700-1738782000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Author Preview - "Getting Russia Right"
DESCRIPTION:PRESENTS \n \n  \nWednesday\, February 5th I 11:15am – 1:00pm\nat \nBobby Hotel – 230 4th Ave N\, Nashville\, TN 37219\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCan President Trump End the Russia-Ukraine War?\nThree years ago\, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a brutal war against Ukraine. What\nhe thought would be a blitzkrieg has turned into a bloody war of attrition\, pitting Russia against a\nThe West actively backs Ukraine. Why did Putin choose war? What national interests did he\nbelieve were at stake\, and what personal ambitions drove him? Why did he believe Russia\ncould achieve a quick victory? How and why did he miscalculate Ukrainian resilience\, Western\nresolve\, and Russian might? \nToday\, President Donald Trump wants to resolve this conflict within six months. How can he\npersuade Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate seriously? What might\nbe the outlines of an enduring settlement? At a moment when Putin believes he is making\nsteady progress toward his goal of subjugating Ukraine\, can Trump craft a peace deal that\nsecures Ukraine as a sovereign state\, deters Russia from further aggression\, and burnishes his\nreputation as a statesman and peacemaker? \n*Following the event\, all attendees will receive a free copy of his book Getting Russia Right \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker:\n \nThomas E. Graham is a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. His book\, Getting Russia Right\, was published in September\, 2023. He is a cofounder of Yale University’s Russian\, East European\, and Eurasian studies program and sits on its faculty steering committee. He is also a research scholar at Yale’s MacMillan Center. He has been a lecturer in global affairs and political science since 2011\, teaching courses on U.S.-Russian relations and Russian foreign policy\, as well as cybersecurity and counterterrorism. Graham was special assistant to the president and senior director for Russia on the National Security Council staff from 2004 to 2007\, during which he managed a White House-Kremlin strategic dialogue. He was director for Russian affairs on the staff from 2002 to 2004. \nGraham served as an advisor to Kissinger Associates from 2008 to 2021. He was a Foreign Service officer for fourteen years. His assignments included two tours of duty at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in the late Soviet period and in the middle of the 1990s\, during which he served as head of the political internal unit and acting political counselor. Between tours in Moscow\, he worked on Russian and Soviet affairs on the policy planning staff at the U.S. Department of State and as a policy assistant in the office of the undersecretary of defense for policy. \nGraham serves on the advisory board of Russia Matters\, a project of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs with the goal of enhancing the understanding of Russia among policymakers and the interested public. Graham holds a BA in Russian studies from Yale University and an MA in history and a PhD in political science from Harvard University. \nModerator:\n \n  \nBreck Walker pursued a twenty years’ career international business\, law\, and finance\,\nbefore turning to academia. For several years\, he taught foreign policy courses at\nSewanee\, The University of the South\, and worked as a contract historian for the Office\nof the Secretary of Defense Historical Office\, researching and writing on early Pentagon\npolicies in the computer security and cyber areas. Dr. Walker is currently retired. \n  \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/author-preview-getting-russia-right/
LOCATION:Bobby Hotel\, 230 4th Ave N\, Nashville\, 37219\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250115T171500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250115T184500
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20241216T181753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192834Z
UID:38426-1736961300-1736966700@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Luncheon with Consul General Galloway
DESCRIPTION:PRESENTS \n \n  \nWednesday\, January 15\, 2025 I 11:15am – 12:45pm\nat \nBradley (11th Floor)\n1221 Broadway Ste. 2400\nNashville\, TN 37203\nSpecial Needs\, Accommodations\, and Event Questions: \nWe strive to be open and inclusive with our events. Please contact us at either info@TNWAC.org or at (309) 550-0782 if you need any accommodations\, special requests\, or have additional event-related questions. \nRegister Now \n\nSpeaker:\n \nAs Consul General\, Rachel Galloway is the senior UK official in the Atlanta Consulate General\, which is a subordinate office to the Embassy. The Consul General represents the UK government and is typically responsible for consular\, visa\, and trade activities in their city or region. \nGalloway came to Atlanta following a three-year tour as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia. An outspoken leader\, she called for reforms of the judiciary and public administration to help the country on its eventual application for membership of the EU. She supported projects to develop youthful talents in information technology and to reduce pollution\, lending a hand herself in cleaning the streets. \nHer prior tour was as Chair\, Mashrek Maghreb Working Group\, European External Action Service. Previously\, she headed the Neighbourhoods Team\, UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKREP)\, Brussels. In 2008 – 2011 at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)\, she was Deputy Head of the International Organisations Department. \nIn the 2000s\, Galloway served a tour in the Washington DC Embassy; followed by development and reconstruction posts in conflicted places: Darfur and Helmand (Afghanistan). She also served in HM Treasury’s Counter Terrorism review team. \nModerator:\n \nKARL DEAN \nKarl Dean served as the sixth Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County.  He was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Dean first held public office when he was elected as Nashville’s Public Defender in 1990.  He was re-elected in 1994 and 1998.  He served as Metro Law Director from 1999 to January 2007\, when he resigned to run for the office of mayor. Karl Dean has taught at Vanderbilt Law School\, Belmont University\, and Boston University. \n  \n  \n  \n\n \n\nOUR MISSION: \nAs a nonpartisan nonprofit organization\, we aim to promote international awareness\, understanding\, and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nOUR VISION: \nTo create a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events. \nDonate
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/consul-general-galloway/
LOCATION:Bradley\, 1221 Broadway Suite 2400\, Nashville\, TN\, 37203\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241114T233000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241115T013000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240919T192445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192834Z
UID:37632-1731627000-1731634200@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:NATO AT 75: THE WAY AHEAD (Memphis)
DESCRIPTION:In partnership with Rhodes College Presents \n“NATO AT 75: THE WAY AHEAD “\n \n\nThursday\, November 14\, 2024 I 5:30pm – 7:30pm \n** free event ** \nRhodes College (Buckman Hall in Blount Auditorium) \n2000 North Parkway – Memphis\, TN 38112 \nSpecial Needs\, Accommodations\, and Event Questions: \nWe strive to be open and inclusive with our events. Please contact us at either info@TNWAC.org or at (309) 550-0782 if you need any accommodations\, special requests\, or have additional event-related questions. \nRegister Now \n\n\nSPEAKERS:\nMajor General William Hickman – US Army (Retired) \nHickman served 36 years in the United States Army\, much of which was spent deployed to Europe and the Middle East. He commanded troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In 2005-2006\, he was a senior leader in the Train and Assist Command in Iraq. In 2007-2008\, he commanded troops during the surge in Baghdad. He finished his Army service\, first as the deputy commander of US Army Central in Kuwait\, supporting operations across the Middle East with an emphasis on Iraq\, Syria\, and Afghanistan. \nHis final assignment was as the Director of Strategic Plans and Policy at the Allied Command Transportation\, Norfolk\, Virginia. Since retiring from the US Army\, Hickman has published a political science textbook\, Understanding the US Military\, as a co-editor. Additionally\, as a Lecturer in Political Science\, he co-taught a Vanderbilt undergraduate class on the Iraq War (Spring Semester 2024). \nHickman earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. \n \n\n\nProfessor Yannis A. Stivachtis \n\n\nYannis A. Stivachtis is Professor of Political Science and holder of the Jean Monnet Chair at Virginia Tech. He also serves as the Director of the Center for European & Transatlantic Studies (CEUTS)\, which is recognized by the European Commission as a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence. His research and teaching interests include the study of regional international systems in Europe and Eurasia; international/European security; and EU’s strategy\, and foreign and security policy. He is the editor of the Critical European Studiesbook series (Routledge) and co-editor of the Athens Journal of Mediterranean Studies. He currently serves as Senior Advisor of the Center for European and Mediterranean Affairs (CEMA) of the Athens Institute for Education & Research (ATINER\, Greece); Advisory Board member of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (Bellevue University); and Senior Advisor of the Research Institute for European & American Studies (RIEAS\, Greece). He has authored and edited several books and has published numerous journal articles and book chapters. \nPrior to arriving in Virginia Tech in 2005\, Professor Stivachtis served initially as Research Fellow and later on as Consultant at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) where he was involved in UNIDIR’s European Security Program that focused on the implementation of the INF and CFE treaties\, as well as in the institution’sMiddle East Peace Program that investigated the possibility of cooperative security and non-offensive defense arrangements in the region as a way to achieve regional peace and stability. Later on\, he served as Research Fellow at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) focusing on issues related to cooperative security and arms control. He also served as Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Studies of the Austrian Ministry of Defense and Research Fellow at the Austrian Institute of European & Security Policy. \n  \n \nMajor General Albert C. Harvey \nMr. Harvey\, of counsel\, at Lewis Thomason’s Memphis office\, is a senior member of the firm. He has an extensive practice in federal and state courts defending doctors\, lawyers\, architects\, engineers\, and other professionals. He is involved in complex business litigation\, intellectual property disputes\, and securities cases. Mr. Harvey has a special interest in national security and governmental affairs and frequently lectures\, teaches\, and consults with clients on these matters. In addition\, he has served at the state and national levels on setting ethical standards for lawyers and judges. Mr. Harvey recently retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Major General. \nAFFILIATIONS\n• American Bar Association\n• Tennessee Bar Association\n• Memphis Bar Association \nPROFESSIONAL HONORS AND ACTIVITIES\n• Member\, Irish Legal 100\n• Member\, American Bar Association House of Delegates\n• Selected by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell as Elite Lawyer of the South\n• Former law clerk to Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Larry Creson\n• Former Assistant Public Defender for Shelby County\n• Listed in “Who’s Who in America”\n• Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers\n• Named to The Best Lawyers in America®\, Ethics & Professional Responsibility Law\, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants\n• Holds the highest rating\, AV\, from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory\n• Former president of both the Memphis and Tennessee Bar Associations\n• Former member\, Board of Governors of the American Bar Association\n• Served on the Committee on the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (Ethics 2000) and on the council of the litigation section.\n• Fellow\, American College of Trial Lawyers\n• Fellow and chair\, Tennessee Bar Foundation\n• Master of the American Inns of Court\n• Member\, American Board of Trial Advocacy\n• Recipient\, Lawyer’s Lawyer Award\, Memphis Bar Association\, 2008 \nModerator:\n \nDr. Kevin Galambos \nDr Kevin Galambos is Assistant Professor of International Studies and the J.S. Seidman Research Fellow at Rhodes College in Memphis\, Tennessee. Dr Galambos completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Political Science from Emory University in Atlanta\, Georgia. He recently completed his PhD in Government at the University of Texas\, Austin (hook ‘em) where he was a Graduate Fellow with the Clements Center for National Security. Dr Galambos was previously a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Aspiring Powers Initiative at the University of Arizona and has served as the Managing Editor for the academic journal Conflict Management and Peace Science. He currently teaches undergraduate courses on International Relations and Security Studies. \nDr Galambos’ research broadly looks at questions of international security\, foreign policy\, and war. His dissertation project\, focused on military exercises\, addresses questions about the conditions under which war games take place; their influence on public opinion in countries hosting exercises; and how multinational training socializes soldiers to rules of war and respect for human rights. He is interested in explaining international cooperation at the local\, regional\, and global levels and ramification of these events regarding alliances\, arms trade\, and conflict.   His research uses quantitative research designs like network analysis\, Monte Carlo simulations\, and formal game theory. Dr Galambos has presented his research at various conferences of the American Political Science Association\, Southern Political Science Association\, International Studies Association\, and International Peace Science Society; and has been published in International Studies Quarterly and International Theory. A native of Oak Ridge\, Tennessee\, he is happy to be back in the Volunteer State and looks forward to collaborating with scholars and policymakers with similar research interests. \n\n\n  \n \nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n OUR MISSION: \nAs a nonpartisan nonprofit organization\, we aim to promote international awareness\, understanding\, and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nOUR VISION: \nTo create a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events. \nRegister Now \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/nato-at-75-the-way-ahead-memphis/
LOCATION:Rhodes College\, 2000 North Parkway\, Memphis\, TN\, 38112\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241112T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241112T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240802T182328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192834Z
UID:37247-1731432600-1731438000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:NATO’s Ambitious Agenda—Preparing for the Future
DESCRIPTION:“NATO’s Ambitious Agenda—Preparing for the Future”\n\nAs NATO celebrates its 75 years of Collective Defense\, the Tennessee World Affairs Council (TNWAC) will host a discussion featuring Major General William Hickman\, US Army (retired)\, a veteran with extensive NATO experience. The event will focus on NATO’s evolution since the Cold War and its current focus on a 360-degree approach to deterrence and defense. The discussion will revolve around the NATO 2022 Strategic Concept and the 2023 Strategic Foresight Analysis\, both important documents outlining the Alliance’s future. He assisted in drafting NATO’s first Military Strategy since the Cold War\, started the initial work for NATO’s Warfighting Capstone Concept\, and represented ACT in NATO’s Defense Planning focused on long-term military capabilities.\n \n  \nTuesday\, November 12\, 2024 I 11:30 am – 1:00 pm \n* Luncheon Event * \nBass\, Berry & Sims\n150 3rd Ave. South Suite 2800\nNashville\, TN 37201 \n\n  \nSPEAKER:\nMajor General William Hickmann – US Army (Retired) \nMajor General William B. Hickman\, US Army (Retired)\, brings decades of military leadership and strategic insight to his role as a commentator on defense and security issues. As a former NATO’s Director of Strategic Plans and Policy\, Hickman is well-versed in alliance dynamics and global security challenges. His distinguished career underscores his commitment to advancing international security cooperation and readiness. \n\n\n  \nRegister Now \n  \nSpecial Needs\, Accommodations\, and Event Questions: \nWe strive to be open and inclusive with our events. Please contact us at either info@TNWAC.org or at (309) 550-0782 if you need any accommodations\, special requests\, or have additional event-related questions. \nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n \nOUR MISSION: \nAs a nonpartisan nonprofit organization\, we aim to promote international awareness\, understanding\, and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nOUR VISION: \nTo create a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events. \nRegister Now \n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/natos-ambitious-agenda-preparing-for-the-future-2/
LOCATION:Bass\, Berry & Sims\, 150 Third Avenue South Suite 2800\, Nashville\, TN\, 37201\, United States
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241107T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241107T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240802T192828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192834Z
UID:37277-1731000600-1731006000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:LTG ANTHONY HALE
DESCRIPTION:The Tennessee World Affairs Council\n\n\n\n(Coming Soon)\n\n\nSpeaker:\nLTG ANTHONY HALE\n\nLieutenant General \nLieutenant General Anthony R. Hale is the current Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G-2) of the United States Army. Prior to his current role\, LTG Hale served as the Commanding General and Commandant of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca\, Arizona\, from August 2020 to July 2023. He also held the position of Director of Intelligence\, J-2\, at the United States Special Operations Command and served in various intelligence capacities during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. LTG Hale holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. \n  \n  \n\n\nRegister Now\nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n \nTHE MISSION of the nonprofit\, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness\, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nTHE VISION of  the Tennessee World Affairs Council is a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/ltg-anthony-hale/
LOCATION:TN
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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LTG-ANTHONY-HALE.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241023T223000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241024T000000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240802T190327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192835Z
UID:37262-1729722600-1729728000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Stabilizing US-China Relations in a Time of Tension
DESCRIPTION:The Tennessee World Affairs Council\nis proud to present\nStabilizing US-China Relations in a Time of Tension\n at\n\n\nWednesday\, October 23\, 2024\n5:50 PM – 7:00 PM\nBelmont University. Town Hall in partnership with the Center for Global Citizenship\n  \nAmbassador Randt first visited Beijing in 1974 and has witnessed the monumental changes that have occurred. That the US and China have profound differences is hardly surprising considering China’s different national circumstances\, 5\,000 years of history\, culture and\, ultimately values. As the most consequential relationship in the world\, it is essential that both sides work constructively to manage these differences. With a population of 1.4 billion people\, a prosperous China at peace with itself and its neighbors is not only good for China\, but good for the US and the world. Both the US and China want peace\, stability\, and prosperity for our respective peoples. Taiwan\, the South China Sea\, intellectual property\, human rights\, military buildups\, cyber-security\, and certain technology transfers are among the many sources of tension that must be managed. Such management requires understanding and continuous engagement.\n \n\n  \nSpeaker:\nAMBASSADOR CLARK T. RANDT JR.\n\nFormer Ambassador to China \nAmbassador Clark T. Randt Jr.\, former Ambassador to China\, brings extensive diplomatic experience and deep insights into U.S.-China relations. His tenure in Beijing and subsequent engagements provide unique perspectives on stabilizing bilateral ties amidst global tensions. Ambassador Randt’s strategic vision and nuanced understanding of geopolitical complexities inform his advocacy for constructive engagement and dialogue between the two superpowers. \n  \n  \n\n\nRegister Now\nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n \nTHE MISSION of the nonprofit\, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness\, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nTHE VISION of  the Tennessee World Affairs Council is a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/stabilizing-us-china-relations-in-a-time-of-tension/
LOCATION:TN
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241009T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241009T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240802T184711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192835Z
UID:37257-1728491400-1728496800@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:Energy to Expand Our Global Impact
DESCRIPTION:The Tennessee World Affairs Council\nis proud to present\nEnergy to Expand Our Global Impact\n\nLuncheon at\n\n\n\nWednesday\, October 9\, 2024\n11:30 AM – 1:00 PM\nBass Berry and Sims -Nashville. 150 Third Avenue South Suite 2800 \,\nNashville\, Tennessee\, USA\, TN 37201\n  \nThe global economic impact of the Tennessee Valley region has never been more evident\, as national and international companies and emerging industries are flourishing here. As the region’s energy supplier\, the Tennessee Valley Authority is partnering with local\, regional\, and state leaders to attract these industries. Through these efforts\, we are helping to fuel billions in economic investment taking place in our communities. While affordable\, reliable\, and clean energy attracts new business and industry\, TVA continues to work to ensure we meet the needs of our existing customers and prepare for future development — providing energy that is expandable\, sustainable and innovative. TVA’s investments will power this region in building on its economic success\, attracting and retaining the jobs of the future\, and helping organizations meet their clean energy goals in the next decades. These investments also will assist in cementing the Tennessee Valley region as the home of global growth industries from new nuclear generation to advanced manufacturing to electric vehicle production. Join us to learn more about how the Tennessee Valley region and TVA are partnering to deliver the energy for global leadership.\n \n\n\n  \nSpeaker:\nJEFF LYASH\n\nPresident and CEO of TVA – Tennessee Valley Authority \nJeff Lyash is president and chief executive officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Appointed by the Board of Directors in February 2019\, Lyash leads the nation’s largest public utility in its mission of serving the people of the Tennessee Valley to make life better. He is also chairman of the Nuclear Energy Institute executive committee providing oversight to NEI on policy affairs on behalf of the U.S. nuclear industry. His leadership focuses on energy policy\, environmental stewardship\, and regional economic development. Under his guidance\, TVA has championed sustainable energy initiatives that drive innovation and resilience across the region. \n  \n\n\nRegister Now\nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n SPONSORS\n \n  \nTHE MISSION of the nonprofit\, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness\, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nTHE VISION of  the Tennessee World Affairs Council is a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/energy-to-expand-our-global-impact/
LOCATION:TN
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241002T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241002T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240802T182943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192835Z
UID:37251-1727886600-1727892000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:New International Horizons
DESCRIPTION:The Tennessee World Affairs Council\nis proud to present\nNew International Horizons\n\nLuncheon at\n\n\nWednesday\, October 2\, 2024\n11:30 AM – 1:00 PM\nBass Berry and Sims -Nashville. 150 Third Avenue South Suite 2800 \,\nNashville\, Tennessee\, USA\, TN 37201\n\n  \nDouglas Kreulen will address Nashville International Airport’s expansion plans and its role in fostering new international connections\, highlighting opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange through enhanced air connectivity\, contributing to Nashville’s global standing.\n \n\n  \nSpeaker:\nDOUGLAS KREULEN\n\nPresident and CEO – Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority \nDouglas Kreulen serves as the President and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority\, overseeing strategic development and international partnerships at Nashville International Airport. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in expanding the airport’s global footprint and enhancing its role as a key hub for international travel and commerce. \n  \n\n\nRegister Now\nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n  \n \n\nTHE MISSION of the nonprofit\, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness\, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nTHE VISION of  the Tennessee World Affairs Council is a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/new-international-horizons/
LOCATION:TN
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240829T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240829T203000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240802T180440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192835Z
UID:37234-1724959800-1724963400@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:PANEL ON ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RELATIONS BETWEEN SOUTH KOREA AND THE U.S. (TN)
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Tennessee World Affairs Council\, in partnership with The Stimson Center\, The University of Tennessee Knoxville\, and The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce\nare proud to present \nPANEL ON ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RELATIONS BETWEEN SOUTH KOREA AND THE U.S. (TN)\n\n\nThursday\, August 29th I 2:30pm – 3:30pm \n* Free Event – Registration Not Required * \nThe University of Tennessee – Baker School Toyota Auditorium \n1640 Cumberland Ave Knoxville TN \n  \nThe panel will discuss the interplay between economic cooperation and cultural diplomacy in shaping the relationship between South Korea and the U.S.\, exploring opportunities and challenges in both realms to strengthen bilateral ties and foster mutual understanding. \n\n\n  \nSpeakers:\nKevin L. Miller – President – KDVA Georgia\nKevin L. Miller is originally from Franklin\, Pennsylvania and entered the United States Army in 1990. He completed Basic Training and Advance Individual Training with 2nd Bn 54th Infantry at Fort Benning\, GA as an Infantryman.  His first duty station was with the 1st Bn 506th Infantry of the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Greaves on the Korean DMZ.  Following 18 months with the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk\, LA\, he attended Airborne School at Fort Benning\, GA.  His final duty station was with the 2nd Bn 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg\, NC. \nOn 23 March 1994\, while serving with the 2nd Bn 504th PIR\, Kevin was injured at a mass casualty event on Pope Air Force Base commonly known as the Disaster at Green Ramp. 24 Paratroopers lost their lives and over 60 were injured and required medical support at Fort Bragg\, NC with many being further transferred to the burn ward at Fort Sam Houston\, TX. Due to their permanent nature\, Kevin’s injuries required him to separate from the United States Army in 1996\, and he relocated to Atlanta\, GA.   \nFor the past 25 years\, Kevin has served in middle and senior management roles within the defense industry and international sales markets.  He is currently a featured speaker and a consultant to multiple industries. As a proud member of the Korea Defense Veterans Association\, Kevin was honored to be appointed as the President of the KDVA Georgia Chapter in October 2022.  He was also selected to participate in the first Revisit Program for Korean Defense Veterans presented by the ROK MPVA and KDVA in November 2021. Kevin joined the Georgia Veterans Day Parade Association of Atlanta as a Director in 2001. He has served as President since 2010 and oversaw its transformation to the Georgia Veterans Day Association to better identify its expanded role. \n\nHe is a Life Member of the National Infantry Association\, 82nd  Airborne Division Association\, 504th  Parachute Infantry Regiment Association\, 2nd  Infantry Division Association\, and the DAV.\nKevin is married to his wife of 23 years\, Cecilia\, and they have one daughter\, Tina. \n  \nScott Laska – Business Development Director – SL Tennessee\nScott is a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Director with over 22 years of experience in the automotive industry. As a key player at SL Tennessee  a leading tier-one automotive supplier based in Clinton\, Tennessee with headquarters Daegu\, South Korea\, Scott is passionate about driving growth and forging strategic partnerships. leading to SL Tennessee growth from 30\,000 sqft and 3 employees in 2000 to currently 1000 employees\, 800\,000 sqft and sales of $700 million dollars. \n  \n\n  \n  \nJenny Town – Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center & Director of Stimson’s Korea Program \nJenny Town is a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center and the Director of Stimson’s Korea Program and 38 North. Her areas of expertise include North Korea\, US-DPRK relations\, US-ROK alliance relations and extended deterrence\, and Northeast Asia regional security. She was named one of Worth Magazine’s “Groundbreakers 2020: 50 Women Changing the World” and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business in 2019 for her role in co-founding and managing 38 North\, which provides policy and technical analysis on North Korea. \n\nMs. Town is also an Associate Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)\, a Member of the National Committee on North Korea\, and an Associate Member of the Council of Korean Americans. She serves on the Editorial Board for Inkstick\, an online foreign policy journal for emerging scholars. She previously served as the Assistant Director of the US-Korea Institute at SAIS (2008-2018) and an expert reviewer for North and South Korea for Freedom House’s Freedom in the World Index (2010-2023)\, where she previously worked on the Human Rights in North Korea Project. \n\nMs. Town holds a BA in East Asian Studies and International Relations from Westmar University and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. She is a frequent commentator for a range of print\, radio and television news\, including Reuters\, BBC\, CNN\, Financial Times\, Deutche Welle\, Voice of America\, Japan Times\, NHK\, CGTN\, BBC World Radio\, and more. And has been featured on a number of podcasts including Asia Matters\, The President’s Inbox\, the Impossible State\, Today Explained\, The DSR Daily Brief\, and more.\n \n  \nModerator:\nIliana Ragnone – Research Associate for the Korea Program \nIliana Ragnone is a Research Associate for the Korea Program and Producer of 38 North at the Stimson Center. Prior to joining Stimson\, she was a Program Assistant at the Foreign Service Institute\, a part of the Department of State. She holds a B.A. in International and Area Studies and Chinese Language and Culture from Washington University in St. Louis. \n  \n  \n  \n\n\nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n\nOUR MISSION: \nAs a nonpartisan nonprofit organization\, we aim to promote international awareness\, understanding\, and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nOUR VISION: \nTo create a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events. \nRegister Now\n 
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/panel-on-economic-and-cultural-relations-between-south-korea-and-the-u-s-tn/
LOCATION:TN
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Speaker-Series-8-29-2024-1620-x-924-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240828T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240828T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T184201
CREATED:20240716T230538Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250428T192835Z
UID:37069-1724862600-1724868000@www.tnwac.org
SUMMARY:The Importance and the Impact of the Strategic Partnership between the US and South Korea
DESCRIPTION:The Tennessee World Affairs Council\, in partnership with The Stimson Center\, The University of Tennessee Knoxville\, and The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce\nare proud to present \n“The Importance and the Impact of the  Strategic Partnership between the US and South Korea”\nThe Tennessee World Affairs Council and the Stimson Center’s Korea Program\, in partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce\, are pleased to host a panel discussion on the status\, future\, and importance of the upgraded alliance between the US and South Korea (ROK). The strength of the US-South Korean Alliance holds enduring value for the US and local communities against the backdrop of today’s evolving geopolitical challenges and in the pursuit of our collective goals of freedom\, democracy\, security\, and economic prosperity. Conversation will delve into the ways the US-ROK Alliance reflects these shared aims and values\, through all facets of the relationship—military\, economic\, and diplomatic—and the benefit this relationship has for the American population. A range of discussion topics will encompass the future of extended deterrence on the Korean Peninsula\, the Alliance’s role in US Indo-Pacific strategy\, multi-domain security cooperation\, and the expansion of strategic trade. \nWednesday\, August 28th I 11:30 am – 1:00 pm \n* Luncheon Event – Registration Required * \nBelmont University – Massey Rogers Boardroom (Parking on Inman Center)\n1601-1603 Wedgewood Av.\nNashville\, TN 37201 \n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now \n  \nSpeakers:\nKevin L. Miller – President – KDVA Georgia\nKevin L. Miller is originally from Franklin\, Pennsylvania and entered the United States Army in 1990. He completed Basic Training and Advance Individual Training with 2nd Bn 54th Infantry at Fort Benning\, GA as an Infantryman.  His first duty station was with the 1st Bn 506th Infantry of the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Greaves on the Korean DMZ.  Following 18 months with the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk\, LA\, he attended Airborne School at Fort Benning\, GA.  His final duty station was with the 2nd Bn 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg\, NC. \n\nOn 23 March 1994\, while serving with the 2nd Bn 504th PIR\, Kevin was injured at a mass casualty event on Pope Air Force Base commonly known as the Disaster at Green Ramp. 24 Paratroopers lost their lives and over 60 were injured and required medical support at Fort Bragg\, NC with many being further transferred to the burn ward at Fort Sam Houston\, TX. Due to their permanent nature\, Kevin’s injuries required him to separate from the United States Army in 1996 and he relocated to Atlanta\, GA.   \nFor the past 25 years\, Kevin has served in middle and senior management roles within the defense industry and international sales markets.  He is currently a featured speaker and a consultant to multiple industries. As a proud member of the Korea Defense Veterans Association\, Kevin was honored to be appointed as the President of the KDVA Georgia Chapter in October 2022.  He was also selected to participate in the first Revisit Program for Korean Defense Veterans presented by the ROK MPVA and KDVA in November 2021. Kevin joined the Georgia Veterans Day Parade Association of Atlanta as a Director in 2001. He has served as President since 2010 and oversaw its transformation to the Georgia Veterans Day Association to better identify its expanded role. \n\nHe is a Life Member of the National Infantry Association\, 82nd  Airborne Division Association\, 504th  Parachute Infantry Regiment Association\, 2nd  Infantry Division Association\, and the DAV.\nKevin is married to his wife of 23 years\, Cecilia\, and they have one daughter\, Tina. \n  \nScott Laska – Business Development Director – SL Tennessee\nScott is a dynamic and results-driven Business Development Director with over 22 years of experience in the automotive industry. As a key player at SL Tennessee  a leading tier-one automotive supplier based in Clinton\, Tennessee with headquarters Daegu\, South Korea\, Scott is passionate about driving growth and forging strategic partnerships. leading to SL Tennessee growth from 30\,000 sqft and 3 employees in 2000 to currently 1000 employees\, 800\,000 sqft and sales of $700 million dollars. \n  \n\n  \n  \nJenny Town – Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center & Director of Stimson’s Korea Program\nJenny Town is a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center and the Director of Stimson’s Korea Program and 38 North. Her areas of expertise include North Korea\, US-DPRK relations\, US-ROK alliance relations and extended deterrence\, and Northeast Asia regional security. She was named one of Worth Magazine’s “Groundbreakers 2020: 50 Women Changing the World” and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business in 2019 for her role in co-founding and managing 38 North\, which provides policy and technical analysis on North Korea.\nMs. Town is also an Associate Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)\, a Member of the National Committee on North Korea\, and an Associate Member of the Council of Korean Americans. She serves on the Editorial Board for Inkstick\, an online foreign policy journal for emerging scholars. She previously served as the Assistant Director of the US-Korea Institute at SAIS (2008-2018) and an expert reviewer for North and South Korea for Freedom House’s Freedom in the World Index (2010-2023)\, where she previously worked on the Human Rights in North Korea Project.\nMs. Town holds a BA in East Asian Studies and International Relations from Westmar University and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. She is a frequent commentator for a range of print\, radio and television news\, including Reuters\, BBC\, CNN\, Financial Times\, Deutche Welle\, Voice of America\, Japan Times\, NHK\, CGTN\, BBC World Radio\, and more. And has been featured on a number of podcasts including Asia Matters\, The President’s Inbox\, the Impossible State\, Today Explained\, The DSR Daily Brief\, and more.\n \n  \nModerator:\nIliana Ragnone – Research Associate for the Korea Program\nIliana Ragnone is a Research Associate for the Korea Program and Producer of 38 North at the Stimson Center. Prior to joining Stimson\, she was a Program Assistant at the Foreign Service Institute\, a part of the Department of State. She holds a B.A. in International and Area Studies and Chinese Language and Culture from Washington University in St. Louis. \n  \n  \n  \n\n\nInternational Career Panel | April 3\, 2024\n \n\n\n\n\n \nOUR MISSION: \nAs a nonpartisan nonprofit organization\, we aim to promote international awareness\, understanding\, and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world. \nOUR VISION: \nTo create a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events. \nRegister Now
URL:https://www.tnwac.org/event/the-importance-and-the-impact-of-the-strategic-partnership-between-the-us-and-south-korea/
LOCATION:TN
CATEGORIES:Distinguished Speaker Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.tnwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Speaker-Series-8-28-2024-1620-x-924-px.png
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END:VCALENDAR