The Institute Of World Politics

Rebecca Burgess will discuss the impact of the Constitution on spiritedness and the unique role of soldiers and citizens to defend it. This event is sponsored by the Jack Miller Center. About the Lecture: Soldier-Citizens and Citizen-Soldiers: Spiritedness and the Constitution - The Founding generation was famously concerned about the dangers to liberty that a standing army could pose. Less well remembered is how that generation’s general ambivalence about professional soldiers along with the government’s inability to pay them resulted in soldiers besieging Congress in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, demanding redress. Congress fled to Princeton. But the “Pennsylvania Mutiny” resulted in long-lasting effects for both the nation’s civilians and military: It showcased significant cracks in the Articles of Confederation government, helping set in motion the Constitutional Convention and the inclusion of a constitutional provision for Congress to support federal armies and a navy. Later on, Alexis de Tocquevi

Dr. Peter J. Boettke, Professor of Economics and Philosophy at George Mason University, discussed his book, "The Road to Socialism and Back: An Economic History of Poland, 1939–2019." About the Author Peter J. Boettke, Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute, is a Professor of Economics and Philosophy at George Mason University, the director of the F.A. Hayek Program for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and BB&T Professor for the Study of Capitalism at the Mercatus Center. He received his Ph.D. from George Mason University. Prof. Boettke has developed a robust research program that expands an understanding of how individuals acting through the extended market order can promote freedom and prosperity for society, and how the institutional arrangements shape, reinforce, or inhibit the individual choices that lead to sustained economic development. His most recently published books include F. A. Hayek: Economics, Political Economy and Social Philosophy; and The Four Pillars of Economic Under

Thomas Cromwell, author of "Why Ukraine Must Win," gave a discussion about his book at The Institute of World Politics on September 5, 2023. Thank you to our sponsors who made this event possible: Jennifer London Malcolm McNaughton Kirk Vazal John Czop About the speaker: Mr. Thomas Cromwell is a native of England who spent 25 years in the Middle East before settling near Washington, DC. As publisher and editor of the Middle East Times for 18 years, he spent long periods in Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. He has traveled to Communist countries for first-hand experience of life under totalitarianism, and visited 130 countries altogether. He worked in Ukraine before the Maidan Revolution. He is the author of several books that examine patterns of human behavior in history based on the interplay of religion, politics and ideology. ***Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academic-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E2

Featuring: Dr. Christopher C. Harmon, IWP Professor and Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare Distinguished Fellow at Marine Corps University. About the Lecture: Terrorist groups have used a fantastic variety of means to seize attention, explain themselves, and seek recruits and support: song and speech, “guerrilla theater,” leaflets, radio, cable TV, newspapers, print ads, books, videos, web sites, e-zines… Social media is only their latest endeavor. This training will cover the modern terrorist propaganda techniques being used today so you can recognize them in your work. This training is developed from the recent book: The Terrorist Argument. The Terrorist Argument: Modern Advocacy and Propaganda, a recent book for the Brookings Institution, is a highly original merging of media studies & terrorism studies. Christopher C. Harmon and Randall G. Bowdish paired a medium of strategic communication with a named terrorist group. Examined in successive chapters are propaganda works of nationali

Mr. Mohammed Motiwala will discuss the importance of multilateral cooperation on AI and the U.S. government's efforts in this year. About Lecture: Are you curious about the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and how they are shaping the world? As AI rapidly advances, it is increasingly clear that cooperation among nations is essential for maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of this powerful technology. Join us for a lecture on the importance of multilateral diplomacy in AI cooperation, presented by Mohammed Motiwala, a Foreign Service Officer with extensive experience in international relations. In this talk, you will learn: The current state of AI technology and its potential applications in various fields. The challenges and risks associated with AI, such as biases, privacy concerns, and cyber attacks. The importance of international cooperation in promoting trustworthy AI. Examples of successful multilateral initiatives in AI cooperation and their impact on global governance

Dr. Enrico Suardi ('19) will discuss state and non-state actors' attempts at developing tools of psychological coercion and manipulation. About the Lecture: This presentation is part of a series of lectures on the behavioral sciences in US national security and public safety. The premise is that the human factor is the basis of crises and the source of solutions. Is the human mind the new, sixth domain of operations, or has it been the main domain of operations since Sun-Tzu advised winning without fighting? Nation-states and non-state actors have attempted to develop tools for brainwashing. These efforts have yielded no truth serum, no recruitment pill. Group pressure and psychological manipulations under conditions of deprivation break down most of us over time. However, false confessions are elicited and the coerced individuals are psychologically maimed. Dr. Suardi will start off by providing a historical overview of coercive persuasion, and will then discuss the psychology and neuroscience of coercion

Mr. Henry Sokolski and Mr. Ezra Cohen will discuss ongoing efforts and recommendations for reforming security classification policy. About the Speakers: Mr. Henry D. Sokolski is the Executive Director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, a Washington-based nonprofit organization founded in 1994 to promote a better understanding of strategic weapons proliferation issues among policymakers, scholars, and the media. He teaches graduate-level classes on nuclear policy in Washington, D.C. He is also a Senior Fellow for Nuclear Security Studies at the University of California at San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy. From 1989 to 1993, Sokolski served as the Deputy for Nonproliferation Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, for which he received the Secretary of Defense’s Medal for Outstanding Public Service. Prior to this, he worked in the Secretary of Defense’s Office of Net Assessment on strategic weapons proliferation issues. In addition to his Executive Branch service, Mr.

Dr. Will H. Flanagan will discuss proposed nuclear safeguards for mass-produced nuclear energy and the risks involved in doing so. About the Lecture: In the nuclear era, a single weapon snuck through a border is able to significantly shift geopolitical balances. In 2007, Congress mandated the use of radiation detectors on all inbound containers but there is currently no way effectively meet this goal. Nuclear safeguards exist at all major ports of entry, though they are not always able to scan every item of cargo. Cerium Laboratories is addressing one aspect of this problem by producing a semiconductor-based “neutron intercepting system on a chip” (NISoC). Such detectors are made a modern semiconductor fabrication facilities in batches of 10,000 with a cost of a few dollars per device. This has the potential to shift nuclear safeguards in a direction where a detector can be placed on every inbound container ship. The current status of this effort will be discussed as well as future prospects. About the Spea

Amb. Kristjan Prikk will discuss Estonia's views on the War in Ukraine and how the conflict is about much more than just Ukraine. About Lecture: - The tragedy unrolling in Ukraine right now is not a result of a temporary misunderstanding but rather of a long-term Russian strategic gamble - The immediate impact of the war is mostly felt in Ukraine and in her neighboring countries but the consequences are considerably wider - This is a European war. However, U.S. global vital interests are clearly in play more than in any recent conflict. - The strategic objective and how to reach it. About the Speaker: Amb. Kristjan Prikk has served as Estonia´s Ambassador to the United States since May 2021. This is his third diplomatic posting to Washington, DC. Before assuming his current duties, Prikk served for nearly three years as the Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defense. In this role he was responsible for the management of the Ministry and for the coordination of activities of the agencies under

Dr. Christopher C. Harmon discusses "Maoist Revolutionary War Outside China," a topic on which he is offering a class at IWP (IWP 706, https://www.iwp.edu/courses/maoist-revolutionary-wars-outside-china/). ***This event is part of IWP's China Series, organized by the China/Asia Program.*** About the Lecture: The ideas of Mao tse Tung had a powerful impact—whatever one may think of their morals or their intellectual value. Maoism created the modern People's Republic of China and was then sent on outward marches to influence others around the world. The “export” of Maoist revolutionary warfare began by 1950, was refreshed with the 1965 pamphlet of Defense Minister Lin Biao “Long Live the Victory of People’s War,” and has recently been re-examined by scholar Julia Lovell’s 2019 volume Maoism: A Global History. Dr. Harmon is lecturing on Wednesday, May 17th about this phenomenon, bringing forward examples of Maoist revolutions in Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Peru. The lecture draw

Dr. William Inboden discusses President Reagan's strategy and approach to defeating the Soviet Union towards the end of the Cold War. About the Lecture: With decades of hindsight, the peaceful end of the Cold War seems a foregone conclusion. But in the early 1980s, most experts believed the Soviet Union was strong, stable, and would last into the next century. Ronald Reagan entered the White House with a different view. Rather than seeing the Soviet Union as a rival superpower to be contained, Reagan viewed Soviet Communism as a vile idea to be defeated. Accordingly, he developed a comprehensive strategy designed to deter Soviet strengths, exploit Soviet weaknesses, and bring Soviet communism to a negotiated surrender. About the Speakers: Dr. William Inboden is Executive Director and William Powers, Jr. Chair at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas-Austin. He also serves as Associate Professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Editor-in-Chief of the Texas National Secu

After being formally inducted as the third President of The Institute of World Politics, Ambassador Aldona Woś gave remarks to the Class of 2023, highlighting IWP’s mission and the graduates’ critical role in making the world better, safer, and more harmonious. Ambassador Woś also called the graduates to stand together to defend the values of freedom and democracy. This event took place on May 13, 2023 at the Fairmont. ***Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academic-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=18

Chen Guangcheng, Chinese human rights activist and Distinguished Fellow at the Catholic University of America, gave the keynote address at IWP's Presidential Investiture and Commencement for the Class of 2023. Mr. Chen was honored by IWP for his moral courage in the face of totalitarian coercion and received a Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, from the Institute. In his remarks, Mr. Chen discussed how he resisted the Chinese Communist Party and encouraged our graduates to stand firm in their values even when those in power attempted to suppress them. This event took place on May 13, 2023 at the Fairmont. ***Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academic-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=18

Kevin Phelan was recognized as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2023, and Gillian Hand was recognized as the Salutatorian. IWP's Presidential Investiture and Commencement Ceremony took place on May 13, 2023 at the Fairmont in Washington, D.C. ***Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academic-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=18

Panelists discuss issues concerning global energy security and Canada's role in supplying an alternative solution. This lecture took place at The Institute of World Politics on April 17, 2023. Speakers: Mr. James Rajotte Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States Mr. Craig Weichel Counsellor and Program Manager for Energy and Environment at the Embassy of Canada Dr. Sara Vakhshouri Founder and President of SVB Energy International; Adjunct Professor of Energy Security at The Institute of World Politics About the Lecture: Topics discussed throughout the panel will include: (1)Russia’s war, the current global energy crisis and the need for alternative energy sources. Can Canada be a new energy partner for Europe?; (2) Canada’s “responsible” energy production strategy; (3) Energy transition and the need for reliable, sustainable and responsible resources. Where does Canada stand during this?; and (4) The importance of the U.S.- Canada energy partnership in the context of the long-term energy int

Dr. James S. Robbins, IWP Dean of Academics, gave a lecture on "The Myths and Realities of the 1968 Tet Offensive" at IWP's campus in Reston, VA on April 13, 2023. This lecture is part of the Asia Initiative Lecture Series, organized by IWP's China/Asia Program. About the Lecture: Most of what Americans have heard about the Tet Offensive is wrong. That the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces were handily defeated was considered immaterial by the press; that it could mount attacks at all was deemed a military triumph for the Communists. This persistent view of Tet is a defeatist storyline that continues to inspire America’s foreign enemies and its domestic critics of the use of force abroad. James S. Robbins provides an antidote to the flawed Tet mythology still shaping the perceptions of American military conflicts against unconventional enemies and haunting our troops in combat. In his re-examination of the Tet Offensive, Robbins analyzes the Tet battles and their impact through the themes of terrorism

Event recorded live at IWP, DC, on February 16, 2023. This lecture is part of the Asia Initiative Lecture Series. About the Lecture: The North Korean regime’s increasing rate and diversity of missile launches shows that Pyongyang is making significant progress toward implementing a more capable and flexible nuclear strategy, including pre-emptive strikes with strategic, tactical, and battlefield nuclear weapons. North Korea’s exponential increase in missile launches, combined with extensive military exercises and provocations close to the inter-Korean border, have increased regional tensions and risk triggering a military crisis that would involve the United States and its allies. Pyongyang continues to reject all attempts by the U.S., South Korea, and Japan for diplomatic dialogue. Washington and its allies must respond resolutely to the growing North Korean threat while simultaneously seeking ways to reduce the potential for stumbling into war. About the Speaker: Mr. Bruce Klingner specializes in Korean

Event recorded live at IWP, DC, on March 7, 2023. About the Speaker As the Ambassador of Belgium, Jean-Arthur Régibeau represents His Majesty the King of the Belgians and Belgium’s federal government in the United States of America and in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. He is responsible for the direction of the Embassy and its Consulates. Ambassador Régibeau is both a Belgian and Swiss citizen, he studied law, international law, and International Relations in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy. In the ‘80s, he began his career in the banking world in New York, he also escorted groups of Belgian tourists visiting the United States. After a few years of working for private business and as a legal advisor, Jean-Arthur Régibeau joined the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1998. He was the diplomatic advisor to the Minister of Defense from 1999 to 2002 and he went on to be First Secretary at the Belgian Embassy in Berlin. From 2003-2007, Mr. Régibeau returned to Brussels as Head of the Private Office of

Event recorded live at IWP, DC, on March 9, 2023. About the Lecture With the inaugural anniversary of the Marcos Jr. administration coming up, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez will elaborate on what’s in store for the Philippine-US relations on topics of PH-US bilateral relations, PH foreign policy priorities, PH perspectives on global and regional security challenges, the PH-US alliance within the context of the Indo-Pacific, and prospects for future relations. About the Speaker Jose Manuel “Babe” del Gallego Romualdez was appointed Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America in July 2017 by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. On 29 November 2017, he presented his credentials to US President Donald J. Trump and formally assumed office as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Additionally, as the head of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Romualdez is concurrently the Philippines’ emissary to the Commonwealth of Jama

LCDR Chris D. Glass ('18), Lead Analyst for the Kennedy Maritime Analysis Center’s Fleet Operations Integration Division at ONI, discussed "The Free World’s Response to a Sino-Taiwanese War" at The Institute of World Politics on April 2, 2023. This event is part of IWP's China Lecture Series. About the Lecture: In the aftermath of the calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, America’s authoritarian rivals increasingly discerned an upset to the global order. Furthermore, recent years of nationalistic and quasi-isolationist rhetoric, an ongoing economic downtown, and a global pandemic have exacerbated the international perception of America’s decline. These factors likely contributed to Russia’s seemingly miscalculated invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and are very likely impacting the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) own strategic assessments regarding a forceful reunification with Taiwan. This has been evidenced by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) increasingly bellicose rhetoric in a