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Peace Picks | April 5 – 9

Notice: Due to public health concerns, upcoming events are only available via live stream

1. The Cold War in the Middle East or the Middle East in the Cold War? | April 5, 2021 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET | Wilson Center | Register Here

Speakers

Lorenz Lüthi: Associate Professor, McGill University

Eliza Gheorghe (moderator): Scholar, Romanian Cultural Institute

Guy Laron: Senior Lecturer, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Alexander Shelby: Professor, Indian River College

In this discussion with Guy Laron, Alexander Shelby and Eliza Gheorghe, Professor Lüthi will discuss the Middle East angle of his book, with a focus on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Long one of the most controversial and significant issues of the 20th century, Professor Lüthi removes the “great power” lense and seeks to provide the perspective of those parties directly involved, Israel and the Arab states.

2. Preventing nuclear proliferation and reassuring America’s allies | April 7, 2021 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET | Atlantic Council | Register Here

Speakers

Sec. Chuck Hagel: Former US Secretary of Defense

Christopher Ford: Former Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation

Elaine Bunn: Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy

Missy Ryan (moderator): Reporter, Washington Post

A task force, co-chaired by Chuck Hagel, Malcolm Rifkind, and Kevin Rudd, with Ivo Daalder, argues that fraying American alliances and a rapidly changing security environment have shaken America’s nuclear security guarantees and threaten the 50-year-old nuclear nonproliferation regime. Please join Sec. Chuck Hagel, former US Secretary of Defense; Dr. Christopher Ford, former assistant secretary of state for international security and non-proliferation; and Ms. Elaine Bunn, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy, for a discussion moderated by Washington Post national security reporter Ms. Missy Ryan on preventing nuclear proliferation, strengthening America’s nuclear security guarantees, and a recent Chicago Council of Global Affairs report on these issues.

3. Mitigating the Impact of Sanctions on Humanitarian Action | April 7, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM ET | Center for Strategic and International Studies | Register Here

Speakers

Representative Andy Levin: Vice Chair, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation

Jacob Kurtzer: Director and Senior Fellow, Humanitarian Agenda

J. Stephen Morrison: Senior Vice President and Director, Global Health Policy Center

To discuss the impact of sanctions on humanitarian assistance, the CSIS Humanitarian Agenda welcomes Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI-9), Vice Chair, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, and author of the “Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act”. This armchair discussion, hosted by Jacob Kurtzer, Director and Senior Fellow of the Humanitarian Agenda, will explore some of the consequences of sanctions on civilian populations and policy solutions that could mitigate their humanitarian impact.

4. China’s sanctions on Europe | April 8, 2021 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM ET | Brookings Institution | Register Here

Speakers

Reinhard Bütikofer: Member of the European Parliament

Miriam Lexmann: Member of the European Parliament

Dovilé Sakaliene: Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Thomas Wright (moderator): Director, Center on the United States and Europe

The Chinese government recently imposed sanctions on EU and U.K. parliamentarians, think tanks, academics, and EU committees. Beijing said its sanctions were a response to European sanctions on officials connected to human rights violations in Xinjiang. China’s sanctions have been condemned by EU and U.K. officials as an attack on democracy and are likely to complicate the ratification of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). On April 8, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings will host parliamentarians targeted and sanctioned by China for a panel discussion on China’s actions, what they mean for future EU and U.K. relations with China, and the role of human rights in foreign policy.

5. “Taking Stock of the Arab Uprisings” | April 8, 2021 | 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM ET | Belfer Center | Register Here

Speakers

Michael Hanna: Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation

Tarek Masoud (moderator): Faculty Director, Middle East Institute

As the initial promise of the Arab uprisings has collapsed and curdled, many have revisited nagging questions posed by political dysfunction in the Arab world. Special guest Michael Hanna, Senior Fellow of The Century Foundation joins MEI to discuss the question of whether or not the Arab uprisings were a failure and what this all means for the new Biden Administration.

6. How Can Middle-Power Democracies Renovate Global Democracy Support? | April 8, 2021 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace | Register Here

Speakers

Ken Godfrey: Executive Director, the European Partnership for Democracy

Rachel Kleinfield: Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Roland Paris: Professor, University of Ottawa

Lisa Peterson: Senior Official for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights

As autocracy engulfs ever more countries, how should the world’s remaining democracies respond? Many are struggling to address internal demands from aggrieved citizens and pandemic pressures, while fending off attempts from authoritarian governments to undermine them from without and within. The conventional menu of democracy support tools seems too meager to meet this geopolitical moment. Germany wants a Marshall Plan for Democracy; Sweden emphasizes a Drive for Democracy. Can middle power democracies enact a strategy commensurate with the challenges at hand?  

7. Building Resilience in the Sahel in an Era of Forced Displacement | April 8, 2021 | 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM ET | Wilson Center | Register Here

Speakers

Lauren Herzer Risi (moderator): Project Director, Environmental Change and Security Program

Ngozi Amu: Team Leader, UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel

Elizabeth Ferris: Professor, Georgetown University

Florian Morier: Head of Stabilization, UNDP Cameroon

WIse Nzikie Ngasa: Justice and Resilience Program Director – Mali, Mercy Corps

Kayly Ober: Program Manager, Climate Displacement Program, Refugees International

In the Sahel, a growing crisis driven by ongoing violence and devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and food insecurity, has led to the internal displacement of more than 2 million people—four times the number displaced just 2 years ago. This humanitarian crisis demands an urgent response to ensure adequate provision of shelter, food, and water for those forced from their homes. It also points to a need for comprehensive approaches and sustained investments to address the drivers of forced displacement in the region. Join the Wilson Center and Population Institute for a discussion with experts who are working across disciplines to identify entry points for policies and programs that strengthen the resilience of communities across the region.

8. AI and democracy: Transformative and disruptive potential | April 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET | Chatham House | Register Here

Speakers

Marjorie Buchser: Executive Director, Digital Society Initiative

Cornelia Kutterer: Senior Director, Rule of Law & Responsible Tech

Matthias Spielcamp: Co-Founder and Executive Director, AlgorithmWatch

Philip Howard: Professor, Oxford Internet Institute

Rebecca Finlay: Acting Executive Director, Partnership on AI

This panel discusses the transformative potential of AI and how policymakers, technology companies and civil society can work together to make sure that these advancements are for the betterment of, rather than a detriment to, democratic norms and practices. It also explores some existing and future AI applications, encouraging participants to share their views, hopes and concerns regarding AI and democracy.

9. The Future of U.S. Cultural Diplomacy | April 9, 2021 | 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM ET | Belfer Center | Register Here

Speakers

Nancy Szalwinski: Director of the Cultural Division in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Ambassador Nicholas Burns: Professor, Harvard Kennedy School

Carla Dirlikov Canales (moderator): Co-Creator, Culture Summit

Nancy Szalwinski, Director of Cultural Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and Ambassador Nicholas Burns, Goodman Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard Kennedy School will discuss ways in which cultural diplomacy can play a significant role in furthering U.S. foreign policy objectives and the Biden administration’s promise to “restore America’s global standing.”  The conversation will focus on current cultural diplomacy priorities for the United States and how changing technologies, geopolitical trends, and recent events have led to new approaches, initiatives, and challenges.  Carla Dirlikov Canales will moderate the discussion.