Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 The World Affairs Council of Orange County Presents: Greater Irvine Chamber: World Trade Week Program: Orange County Trade Overview Export Success Stories Panel featuring small, medium and large company export experiences International Resource Expo: Network and connect with international consuls, chambers, and trade organizations to explore and expand your exporting capacity   World Trade Week Partner Fact Sheet

Thursday, February 20, 2020 The World Affairs Council of Orange County Presents: “Rethinking Strategy and Engagement: US Policy in a Turbulent Middle East” An Evening Event featuring Dr. Paul Salem, Ph.D. Harvard President of the Middle East Institute, Washington DC Founding Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center Location: The Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92660 Time: Reception: 5:45pm   Dinner/Program: 6:30pm The World Affairs Council is proud to present an exciting program on “Rethinking Strategy and Engagement: US Policy in a Turbulent Middle East in Crisis”, by a true expert on current US policy in that conflict prone region: Paul Salem Ph. D., President of the prestigious Middle East Institute based in Washington DC. Over the last three decades, the Middle East has been the focal point of US Foreign Policy. Conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the recent near war escalation with Iran have made daily headlines. Now Russia, Turkey, Iran and Israel have focused their efforts in Syria and created even more crisis. Is a war inevitable? Will Israel continue to carry on attacks in Syria against Iranian surrogates? Are the US and Russia/Iran headed toward a military conflict and whose side will Turkey take if the Kurds assist the US and the West. Will the US continue its disengagement from the region under President Trump’s stated goal for a US withdrawal? Who will fill the vacuum if that occurs? What about Saudi Arabia and its allies, who will defend them against Iranian threats? Finally is ISIS the terror group finally defeated or has it survived and will it benefit from the internecine battles drawing attention away from its defeat? Despite the focus and resources of the United States in the region, we are still encountering new and more complicated conflicts every year. Subsequently, there must be a re-evaluation of the role that the United States has in this part of the world. We have weakened or toppled dangerous regimes in Iraq and Syria, yet, there does not seem to be an end to hostilities.. As always the World Affairs Council wishes to provide current and topical information to the Orange County Community about International Affairs. Please join us for a sure to be great program! Event Promotional and Financial Sponsors are welcome! Please contact us at orangecounty@worldaffairscouncil.com or call us at at (949) 253-5751 to learn more about the benefits of becoming a Promotion Sponsor with us.     A Special Thanks to our Promotional Sponsors!    

The WACA 2019 National Conference: The 8 Forces Reshaping the Global Economy Dates: November 6-8, 2019 Location: The Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC Please visit the official 2019 National Conference website to view the official agenda and learn about Conference speakers and sessions. Click here to watch video recordings of the 2019 National Conference Click here to view photos from the 2019 National Conference – you may just see yourself! The annual WACA Conference, taking place every autumn in our nation’s capital, brings World Affairs Council leaders and members together with top government officials, diplomats, business executives, innovators, journalists, experts, educators, students and interested citizens to convene and engage on the most pressing global issues and policy choices impacting our lives. The benefits to attending the premier three-day world affairs event – in its fourth decade – include: Expert opinions, timely insights, and audience dialogue about the United States’ role in the world Access to extraordinary speakers, thought leaders, and ambassadors available for local Council programming Bipartisan, diverse, and inclusive perspectives on the issues Visits to think tanks and embassies; networking receptions and dinners Professional development, leadership training, mentoring, and peer-to-peer networking 2019 Conference Sessions Tuesday, November 5 1918 Society Dinner: American Foreign Policy in a Shifting World Order Wednesday, November 6 Ambassadors Luncheon: 30 Years On: The Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Global Order; Award: WACA’s Inaugural International Service Award presented to The Honorabel James A. Baker, III Think Tank Off-Site Briefings Student Scholars & Young Professionals Reception Annual Membership Meeting Awards Dinner and Keynote Program: AI: How We Will Learn, Work, and Live With Dignity; Awards: 2019 WACA Chairman’s Individual Award presented to Lise Falskow, President and CEO of Alaska World Affairs Council, and 2019 Council of the Year presented to the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth (President and CEO James Falk accepted); A Touch of Sicily: Performance by Sicilian composer and pianist Corrado Neri Thursday, November 7 Global Ties U.S. Members Meeting Trade and the EU The SHE Economy The Corporation and the Future of Capitalism Great Decisions Luncheon: China’s Grand Strategy Climate Change and Food Insecurity The Economics of Disinformation Chinese Embassy Reception: 40 Years of China-U.S. Diplomatic Relations Friday, November 8 Are We Entering an Illiberal Era? The Challenge to Liberal Democracy Leadership Day Professional Workshops 2019 Conference Speakers Sec. James A. Baker, III 61st U.S. Secretary of State Vivienne Ming Exec. Chair & Co-Founder, Socos Labs Secretary Chuck Hagel 24th U.S. Secretary of Defense Amanda Bennett Director, Voice of America Phil Karsting Interim President and CEO, WFP USA Sarah Chen MP, The Billion Dollar Fund for Women Ralf Fücks MD, Center for Liberal Modernity Amb. Kristen Silverberg Executive VP, Business Roundtable Richard Stengel Former U.S. Under Secretary of State Melissa D. Ho SVP, Fresh Water and Food, WWF U.S. John Hughes VP, Albright Stonebridge Group Wendy Cutler VP, Asia Society Policy Institute Peter Baker Chief White House Corr., NY Times Judith Samuelson Vice President, The Aspen Institute Karen Kornbluh Director, The German Marshall Fund for the U.S. Anna Tunkel Global Initiatives Head, APCO Worldwide Richard Kraemer President, U.S.-Europe Alliance Kimberly Flowers Director, […]