Global I.q. Minute With Jim Falk

Liz Brailsford and Ihor Terekhov sit down for a conversation ahead of our event "Kharkiv’s Story: Leadership, War, and the Fight for Democracy."

Liz Brailsford and Cullum Clark sit down for a conversation ahead of our event "The U.S. National Debt: How Does It Affect Foreign Policy?"

Liz Brailsford and Liz Truss sit down for a conversation ahead of our event "A Conversation with Liz Truss: Why Global Leadership Matters."

Liz Brailsford and Jeffrey Toobin sit down for a conversation ahead of our event "The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy."

Liz Brailsford and David Rohde sit down for a conversation ahead of our International Educator of the Year Awards Luncheon.

Liz Brailsford and John J. Sullivan sit down for a conversation ahead of our event "On the Frontlines: Service to Country, Moscow, and the West’s Global Challenge."

More than half of the world’s countries are democratic and 2024 has become the election year, with 49% of the world’s population going to the voting booth. With a record number of elections being held this year, how do the results abroad affect our upcoming November election? Join the Council in welcoming back Mark McKinnon in conversation with former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings for the 2024 Mike Rawlings Endowed Lecture Series. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Mark McKinnon is a multifaceted figure known for his roles as a political advisor, advocate for reform, media columnist, and television producer. He is the creator and co-host of Showtime’s acclaimed documentary series The Circus and has worked with President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain, and Bono. Committed to bipartisanship, McKinnon co-founded No Labels and is a board member of Take Back Our Republic, which advocates for electoral reforms. McKinnon is a columnist and served as a governor of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. He attended the University o

Featuring Panelists: Brookings Institution Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe Fiona Hill; George W. Bush Institute Executive Director and George W. Bush Presidential Center Vice President David Kramer; Brookings Institution Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and Fritz Stern Chair at Germany and Trans-Atlantic Relations Constanze Stelzenmüller; Moderated by The Dallas Morning News Vice President and Editorial Page Editor Rudy Bush.

On June 11, Susan Glasser joins us for a discussion about the evolution and future of democracy with Jeremi Suri of the University of Texas. Glasser and Suri will explore the 2024 election with all its implications. Each summer, the leadership of the 90 World Affairs Councils network gather in a different city for networking and professional development. This year the Council was honored to win the bid to host the Council Leadership Meeting, in partnership with the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA). The kickoff for the Council Leadership Meeting is our Susan Glasser program. This is a special opportunity for our members to meet Council leaders from across the nation and the WACA national office and its board – don’t miss it! Join us in giving a hearty Texas “howdy!” to the WAC national network and to featured speaker Susan Glasser at Election Echoes: Tracing the Evolution & Future of Democracy. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Susan B. Glasser is a staff writer at The New Yorker, where she writes a weekly column

The 2024 election has ramifications that extend beyond our border. As the country approaches a Trump vs. Biden rematch, the two candidates have opposite views on foreign policy, particularly on NATO, tariffs, and China. The 2024 election will be consequential for many reasons; however, the current state of European and Eastern volatility makes foreign policy the most crucial issue. Join the Council for the International Perspective Series with George W. Bush Institute Executive Director David Kramer. Part of the International Perspectives Series. ABOUT THE SPEAKER David J. Kramer serves as the Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute. Prior to joining the Bush Institute, he taught at Florida International University’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, where he also was Senior Fellow in the Václav Havel Program for Human Rights and Diplomacy and Director for European and Eurasian Affairs. Before moving to Miami, Kramer worked in Washington, DC for 24 years, including as

Kosovo is in a fight for state recognition, and next month the Council of Europe will vote to include or exclude Kosovo. Despite the fact that 12 of its 46 member states do not consider Kosovo to be an independent state, the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly has already weighed in, voting 31 to 29 for Kosovo’s inclusion. This membership would be a step forward in their struggle to be recognized as a legitimate nation. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani recently represented Kosovo in a case at the International Court of Justice, defending the legality of Kosovo’s independence as she has her entire political career. One week prior to the May 16 vote by the European Council, the Council welcomes her to the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas. . . Do you believe in the importance of international education and connections? The nonprofit World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth is supported by gifts from people like you, who share our passion for engaging in dialogue on global affairs and building bridges of u

Is the U.S. upholding the ideals of democracy? In 2022, 161 million Americans were registered to vote and that number is expected to rise in the upcoming presidential election. However, faith in our voting system has dropped in the past few years. Fighting between Republicans and Democrats has made voters distrustful of “the system.” Voter trust is pivotal for a democracy. Now, more than ever, civil discourse in our democratic republic is vital. Join the Council for a discussion on American democracy in our Sumners Civics Lecture Series with former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove. Moderated by Council President & CEO Liz Brailsford. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Karl Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000–2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004–2007. At the White House, he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process. Bef

The Berlin Wall came down in 1989 followed by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. For many in the West, this represented the end of the Cold War and symbolized capitalism’s triumph over communism. However, in China and Russia it was merely a setback in their fight against Western influence. Putin and Xi Jinping have since begun trying to rectify their nation’s 20th century mistakes by testing the boundaries of the West. Putin is pushing back against NATO’s westward expansion with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Xi Jinping has his sights set on reclaiming the island nation of Taiwan, adding a final chapter to the Chinese Communist Revolution that begun in 1927. Russia and China have grown stronger by forging relationships with India, Brazil, and South Africa. Many are beginning to realize the Cold War never ended – it only took a brief pause. Where does this leave the U.S.? Are we willing to defend democracy from these threats? Are we as inclined to fight communism as we were last century? Join the Council

Throughout U.S. history there are presidents whose qualities separated them from the rest and propelled them to the highest office Washington’s honesty, Lincoln’s leadership, Kennedy’s charisma, Roosevelt’s fortitude, the list could go on. But which of these qualities can be transferred to the next generation? What leadership lessons apply today? In Talmage Boston’s new book, How the Best did it: Leadership Lesson’s From our top Presidents, he explores the best qualities of former U.S. presidents and what we can learn from them. Historian and Council friend Jon Meacham calls it “A discerning examination of what all of us can learn from some of our most effective leaders who have held—and wielded—ultimate power at the highest level.” ABOUT THE SPEAKER Talmage Boston is a partner at the Shackelford Law Firm in Dallas. He is also a former board member of the World Affairs Council and a member of the Mallon Circle, an honorary body comprised of members who have served the Council with distinction. He is a histo

KEYNOTE – Salvatore A. Giunta Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself at the risk of his life in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, on October 25, 2007. While under heavy enemy fire, Specialist Giunta sprinted towards cover and engaged the enemy. After seeing that his squad leader had fallen, Specialist Giunta exposed himself to enemy fire and raced towards his squad leader, helped him to cover, and administered medical aid. While administering first aid, enemy fire struck Specialist Giunta’s body armor and his secondary weapon. Amidst the ongoing fire, Specialist Giunta continued to engage the enemy before prepping and throwing grenades, using the explosions for cover to hide his position. Attempting to reach additional wounded fellow soldiers, Specialist Giunta and his team encountered a barrage of enemy fire that forced them to the ground. Specialist Giunta’s unwavering courage, selflessness, and decisive leadership while under extreme fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an e

Cyberspace is like the Wild West – a vast and lawless land. Both cyber warfare and cyberweapons have been used in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Rapid technology advancement and global dynamics challenge governments to protect military and critical infrastructures. Can the 2024 U.S. election occur without interference? Cyber expert Christopher Whyte joins us this January as we kick off our annual International Perspectives Series with The Shifting Geopolitics of Cyber Conflict: American Strategy in a Time of Change. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Dr. Christopher Whyte is an assistant professor of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at Virginia Commonwealth University. His research focuses on the decision-making dynamics of cyber operations, digital age influence campaigns, and the impact of artificial intelligence on cyber conflict. Whyte is author/co-author of nearly three dozen peer-reviewed articles on these subjects, numerous other articles/reports and four books on cyber conflict, including Information in War, p

Since Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have been in power, Russia and China have been each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Director of China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Bonny Lin notes that “the bond has been decades in the making, but Russia’s war in Ukraine has tightened their embrace.” Leading the BRIC alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), they see the global south as the key to push back against U.S. hegemony in the west. Join the Council in part II of the International Perspectives Series Ordering Disorder: Governing the World to Come with Charles Kupchan to discuss the future of geopolitics and world order. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Charles A. Kupchan is professor of international affairs in the School of Foreign Service and Government department at Georgetown University, and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. From 2014 to 2017, Kupchan served as special assistant to the President and senior director for European Affairs on the National Security Counci

In 2023, 39.1% of all U.S. businesses were owned by female entrepreneurs. The number of women elected in congressional leadership has increased by 15% in the past 20 years. Today, women make up 28% of the 118th U.S. congress. That said, of the 193 member states of the United Nations, only 13 of those leaders are women. There is still much work to be done. Join the Council and Texas Woman’s University in observation of International Women’s Day on March 12. The Council will host a panel discussion featuring Dallas’ very own Nina Vaca, chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Group, and Hattie Hill, President & CEO of Hattie Hill Enterprises, to discuss women who lead in such a way that encourages other women leaders. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Rama Yelkur, dean of Texas Woman’s University’s College of Business. ABOUT THE PANELISTS Hattie Hill has spent more than three decades developing successful global diversity and inclusion and gender equity strategies for corporations, nonprofits and foundations acr

“America’s secret weapon is a blue note in a minor key,” proclaimed the New York Times. In the late 1950’s, President Eisenhower looked to fight the Cold War using the cool weapon of jazz. The State Department hoped that showcasing popular American music around the globe would not only introduce audiences to American culture, but also win them over as ideological allies in the cold war. Jazz, structured around improvisation within a set of commonly agreed-upon boundaries, was a perfect metaphor for America in the eyes of the State Department. Renowned artists such as Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and Dave Brubeck toured the globe promoting United States’ culture. Brubeck’s father would famously announce before the crowds, “No dictatorship can tolerate jazz, it is the first sign of a return to freedom.” Join us to explore how the U.S. State Department contracted jazz performers to fight the Cold War in the form of Jazz Diplomacy. ABOUT THE PANELISTS Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney is an adjunct professor at UNT Dal

War is catastrophic for nations and can bring businesses to a complete halt. When Russia attacked Ukraine, U.S. companies such as McDonald’s and Starbucks closed their stores. Millions of dollars of Ukraine’s infrastructure has been destroyed. War’s cost can be simplified into three parts: the opportunity cost of resources, the destruction of physical and human capital, and the reduction of GDP. However, war can also stimulate the economy – World War II pulled the U.S. out of the Great Depression. So what is the global economic toll of war? Join the Council’s virtual discussion on war economics with world-renowned economics professor, bestselling author, and innovative educator Jeffery Sachs. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Jeffery Sachs serves as the director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where he holds the rank of University Professor, the university’s highest academic rank. Sachs served as director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University from 2002 to 2016. He is president of