The Tennessee World Affairs Council is a nonprofit (501c3), nonpartisan educational charity based in Nashville that works to build understanding of global issues in our communities. Learn more about the Council and find how you can join, donate and volunteer at: www.TNWAC.org — Join / Donate / Volunteer

Tennessee WAC Global Dialogue

You Are Invited To A Community Discussion

America in the World: What Direction?

There are four date/time opportunities at four venues around town to participate in this “salon” — a casual conversation of international affairs with your friends, family, colleagues, and new friends. Skip below for venues and dates — but don’t forget to review the articles and Podcast so that you’ll be ready to participate. And please RSVP through the Eventbrite link below. It’s free but we like to know how many are coming.

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Given the attention this month to America’s role in the world especially in view of: the coming together of world leaders in New York for the annual opening of a new session at the United Nations General Assembly, as well as the roll out of foreign policy positions among 2016 presidential candidates, we will take up the question “America in the World: What Direction?”

PREPARE FOR THE DISCUSSION – REVIEW THESE MATERIALS

KEY READS – PREPARATION – READ (LISTEN) FOUR ITEMS

1 — What Do Politicians Really Mean by “Global Leadership?” Or: What I’d like to ask all those people who want to be president. – Stephen M. Walt / FP.com [Link Here]

2 — “American Power at a Crossroads” – Editor’s Roundtable (PODCAST) – David Rothkopf, Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and Robert Kagan (36m19s) – “Is it even possible to “Make America Great Again?” [Link Here]

3 — “11 Foreign Policy Questions for the GOP Candidates” – Brookings [Link Here]

4 — “National Security Strategy” of the United States – Feb 2015 – WhiteHouse.gov [Link Here]

5 — “The Newsroom ‘America is not the greatest country in the world anymore’ 2012 TV series – Character Will McAvoy from HBO’s “Newsroom” [Video Link] [8m16s]

THAT’S ALL you need to prepare for our discussion but this topic is rich in materials to review. Check below for more.

KEY QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION – THESE WILL GUIDE OUR CONVERSATION

1 – What are America’s interests in the world?

2 – Is America an “exceptional” member of the global community? An indispensable nation? What does that mean for the United States’ role in the world?

3 – What do we want the U.S. military to do, to be prepared to do? What is the threshold for using force to advance American interests?

4 – What are the consequences of the current extreme partisan political environment to forging America’s course in the world?

5 – What should the ” (Name goes here) Doctrine” look like for the whoever is sworn into office as President on January 20, 2017?

GLOBAL DIALOGUE GROUND RULES

1 – Mutual respect. We can disagree without being disagreeable.

2 – Everyone is involved. There is a facilitator to launch the conversation but the event is designed for all participants to share their views.

3 – Let’s seek fact based conversations. Let’s try to avoid partisan politics. Let’s try to apply a “reasonable person’s” assessment of the issues.

4 – “Chatham House Rule” – When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

Where/When

Same Topic – Four Date/Venue Options

All sessions are open to all.

Monday, September 28, 2015 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Lipscomb University (Confirmed)

Ezell Hall, Room 208

One University Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204 Map Link

OR

Tuesday, September 29, 2015 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Green Hills Area Public Library (Confirmed)

3701 Benham Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37215 Map Link

OR

September 30, 2015 – 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Downtown Nashville – Frothy Monkey (Confirmed)

235 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37219 Map Link

OR

October 7, 2015 – 5:00-6:15 p.m.

Belmont University (Confirmed)

Massey Business Center, Room 209B, Belmont University

To be updated on schedule changes make sure you’re on our email list: LINK — ALWAYS check the Web site for any last minute changes on time/venue.

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END OF SESSIONS BALLOT – WE’LL ANSWER THESE POLL QUESTIONS AT THE END OF OUR CONVERSATION — RESULTS WILL BE FORWARD TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE MEDIA

WORK IN PROGRESS – CHECK BACK AT LINK

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Facilitator

Patrick Ryan served 26 years in the U.S. Navy and retired in 1998 as an intelligence officer having lived and worked in the Persian Gulf, Europe and East Asia. He served in the Joint Staff in the Pentagon and other major headquarters and analytical organizations. Ryan has traveled to over 50 countries in his military and business work. Since 1999 he has published newsletters and web sites on international affairs. Ryan is the founding and current President of the Tennessee World Affairs Council and a member of the board of the World Affairs Councils of America.

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REFERENCE MATERIALS – MORE STUFF TO GET SMART