Peace Picks June 10- June 15

1. India’s Election results: Impacts on the Economy and Economic Relations with Washington|June 10^th, 2019|2:30pm-4:30pm|Wilson Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004|Register Here

On May 23, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was catapulted back into power with a landslide victory in national elections. Two of the biggest immediate challenges in its second term will be economic: Tackling rising unemployment, and pursuing an economic reform plan that struggled during the BJP’s previous term. The new Indian government will also confront considerable challenges in its trade relations with Washington, a key partner. What is the election result’s impact for India’s economy? What might it mean for the U.S.-India economic relationship, which has lagged behind the fast-growing defense partnership? What is the potential for bilateral cooperation in the high-tech and innovation sectors? More broadly, how significant are the strains on the commercial side, and to what extent do they affect U.S.-India strategic partnership? Do U.S.-China trade tensions have implications for India and U.S.-India relations? This event will address these questions and more.

Moderator:

Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center

Speakers:

Suman Bery, Public Policy Fellow at the Wilson Center 

Richard M. Rossow, Wadhwani Chair, U.S.-India Policy Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Seema Sirohi, Senior Journalist and Columnist, The Economic Times (India)

Jeremy Spaulding, Founder and President, JMS Innovation & Strategy, and Senior Advisor and Program Architect, Alliance for US International Business

2. The Deal of the Century: What About Palestinian Citizens of Israel?|June 11^th, 2019|10:00am-11:00am|Foundation for Middle East Peace, 1319 18th Street NW Washington, DC|Register Here

In addition to examining the ramifications of recent political and legislative developments in Israel and the so-called “Deal of the Century,” panelists will discuss the central role of the Palestinian Arab minority in promoting the conditions necessary for a sustainable peace and how the international community can support it in that role.

Moderator:

Lara Friedman, President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP)

Panelists:

Jafar Farah, Founder and Director of the Mossawa Center, the Advocacy Center for Arab Citizens in Israel

Shibley Telhami, Sadat Professor for Peace and Development, Director of the University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll, and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute (AAI).

Jeremy Ben-Ami, President of J Street, bringing to the organization deep experience in American politics, a strong belief in the power of diplomacy and a passionate commitment to the state of Israel.

3. Strategic Interest and Leadership in the United Nations|June 13^th, 2019|9:30am-11:00am|CSIS Headquarters, 1616 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036|Register Here

Although there are existing criticisms surrounding the United Nations, a functioning United Nations remains in the U.S. interest. One of the most critical roles the United Nations plays is addressing global problems and burden sharing the costs of security, development, and other public goods. CSIS would like to use this opportunity to identify areas of bipartisan agreement over the U.S. role in the United Nations. Please join us for a public armchair discussion with Governor Bill Richardson and Catherine Bertini which will reflect on the progress made at the United Nations since its formation and will examine how the United States can partner with the United Nations for its economic and national security interests.

Speakers: 

Catherine Bertini, Former Executive Director, United Nations World Food Programme

Bill Richardson, Former Governor of New Mexico and Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

4. The Future of Taiwan-US Relations | June 12^th, 2019 | 10am-12:45am | The Heritage Foundation, Lehrman Auditorium 214 Massachusetts Ave NE Washington, DC 20002 | Register Here

In this, the 40th year of the Taiwan Relations Act, it bears evaluating the state of the Taiwan-US relationship. There are many positive signs, arms sales, significant unofficial diplomatic contact, and a peak in Congressional activity. There are also signs of reserve on the part of the US administration, including uncertainty over the sale of F-16 fighter jets that have been under consideration for more than 10 years, a failure to pick up on the idea of a US-Taiwan Free Trade Agreement, and a low key opening of the new American Institute in Taiwan. On the other side of the relationship, Taipei is election season, with a range of possible outcomes. So where are US-Taiwan relations today and where are they headed in the short to medium term. Please join us for an assessment, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Szu-chien Hsu and a discussion with leading experts on the relationship from both sides of the relationship.

Panel 1: Economic Statecraft and Opportunity

Panelists:

Moderator: Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation

Szu-chien Hsu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)

Riley Walters, Policy Analyst, Asia Economy and Technology, The Heritage Foundation

Roy Chun Lee, Associate Research Fellow and Deputy Director of the Taiwan WTO and RTA Center, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research

Panel 2: The Defense of Taiwan, Peace and Security

Moderator: Walter Lohman, Director, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation

Panelists:

I-Chung Lai, President of the Prospect Foundation

Scott Harold, Associate Director of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy

5. What is happening in Idlib?|June 13^th, 2019|11:00am-12:00pm|Turkish Heritage Organization|Register Here

Please join THO as we host a teleconference on the current situation in Idlib. More details will be announced soon.

Speakers: 

Ammar Al Selmo, White Helmets Volunteer

Mariam Jalabi, Representative to the UN for the Syrian National Coalition

6. The Role of Open Data in Strengthening Nigerian Democracy|June 11^th , 2019|2:00pm-3:30pm|National Endowment for Democracy, 1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004|Register Here

Transparent, accessible, and credible data has emerged as a key tool for safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy against conflict, corruption, and abuses of power. Data empowers civil society, journalists, and citizens to hold power-holders accountable and to expose and address corruption. Data equips government to make policy by providing foundational information about the Nigerian population and its needs. Data improves Nigeria’s information space, countering disinformation and enhancing the quality of reporting. Yet, data has not been used to its full potential in Nigeria. Though the government is increasingly releasing data to the public, it is often inaccessible and difficult to understand. Further, lack of capacity and political will has hindered robust data collection on critical issues.  Join us in discussion with our esteemed panelists.

Speakers:

Joshua Olufemi, Current head of knowledge and innovation at Premium Times and Program Director at the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) in Abuja

Christopher O’Connor, senior program officer for West Africa at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world

7. Peering Beyond the DMZ: Understanding North Korea behind the Headlines|June 11^th , 2019|12:00pm-1:30pm|Hayek Auditorium, Cato Institute|Register Here

Negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program are at an impasse, and tensions are rising. And while neither side appears to want a war, the path to a diplomatic solution remains unclear. What is obvious, however, is that most U.S. policymakers have little understanding of what the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is or how it operates, a fact that limits America’s ability to peacefully resolve the crisis. Join us as our panelists offer their insights into the “Hermit Kingdom”

Moderator:

Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

Panelists:

Heidi Linton, Executive Director, Christian Friends of Korea

Randall Spandoni, North Korea Program Director and Senior Regional Advisor for East Asia, World Vision

Daniel Jasper, Public Education and Advocacy Coordinator for Asia, American Friends Service Committee

Moderator: Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute