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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260617T173000
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DTSTAMP:20260609T160131
CREATED:20260528T014251Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T022757Z
UID:14999-1781717400-1781722800@wacaustin.org
SUMMARY:The Middle East: Where are We Now\, and What are the Geopolitical Implications for the Future?
DESCRIPTION:Recent developments in the Middle East have raised important questions about regional stability\, international relations\, global energy markets\, and the broader geopolitical landscape. How might current tensions shape the future of the region and its relationships with major global powers? What could the evolving situation mean for international trade\, security\, and diplomatic engagement? \nThis panel discussion will examine the current dynamics in the Middle East\, including the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz and the potential long-term implications for regional and global affairs. The conversation will explore a range of perspectives on how recent events may influence geopolitical alignments and international policy in the months and years ahead. \nPlease join us and hear a timely and insightful discussion with our distinguished panelists. \nThis event is by invitation-only. Please notify us of your interest to receive an invitation by providing your contact information in the form below. Priority registration is available for World Affairs Council of Austin members. Bring your invitation to the event.  Invitations are non-transferable. \nREQUEST YOUR INVITATION HERE\nAbout the panelists: \nAmbassador (ret.) Larry E. André\, Jr. retired from the State Department’s Senior Foreign Service in May 2023 after a 38-year career in global public affairs. During his 33 years at the U.S. State Department\, he served in a mix of leadership\, policy\, and management positions. \nAmbassador André’s leadership positions included serving as Ambassador to Somalia\, Djibouti\, and Mauritania. He also served as Chargé d’affaires\, U.S. Embassy\, South Sudan; Deputy Chief of Mission\, U.S. Embassy\, Tanzania; Deputy Chief of Mission\, U.S. Embassy\, Sierra Leone; Director\, Office of the Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan; and Deputy Director\, Office of West African Affairs. He also served in the Middle East with the Embassy in Iraq. \nAmbassador André is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award\, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award\, Global Reporting Award\, and several other honors.  In 2023\, Amb. André was inducted into the American Academy of Diplomacy. \n  \nMatthew Bey is a Senior Global Analyst at RANE\, where he focuses on geopolitical risk management for organizations across sectors and a wide range of international relations topics. Matthew has focused heavily on political\, economic\, and security issues in the Middle East and Africa. He also covers several international topics relating to global governance\, technology\, trade\, and the oil and gas industry. Matthew has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Texas Lutheran University and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nDr. Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor in the University’s Department of History and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Professor Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on politics and foreign policy\, most recently: Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. His other books include: The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office; Liberty’s Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama; Henry Kissinger and the American Century; and Power and Protest: Global Revolution and the Rise of Détente. His writings appear in the New York Times\, Washington Post\, Wall Street Journal\, CNN.com\, Atlantic\, Newsweek\, Time\, Wired\, Foreign Affairs\, Foreign Policy\, and other media. Professor Suri is a popular public lecturer and comments frequently on radio and television news. His writing and teaching have received numerous prizes\, including the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas and the Pro Bene Meritis Award for Contributions to the Liberal Arts. Professor Suri also hosts a weekly podcast\, “This is Democracy.
URL:http://wacaustin.org/event/the-middle-east-where-are-we-now/
LOCATION:TX
CATEGORIES:Geopolitics,Middle East,peace and conflict
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacaustin.org/wp2015/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MidEastPanel-June2026-.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T193000
DTSTAMP:20260609T160131
CREATED:20260605T230805Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T230805Z
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SUMMARY:Globalist Coffeehouse: The Middle East
DESCRIPTION:Please join like-minded “global thinkers” for what will be a very lively discussion with your fellow World Affairs Council members. \nThis month\, our open social group discussion will focus on recent developments in the Middle East\, and the broader geopolitical landscape. What are your thoughts on how current tensions will shape the future of the region and international relations? What do you think the evolving situation means for global trade\, security\, and diplomatic engagement? We look forward to hearing from you!
URL:http://wacaustin.org/event/globalist-coffeehouse-the-middle-east/
LOCATION:Shoal Creek Saloon\, 909 N. Lamar Blvd\, Austin\, TX\, 78703\, United States
CATEGORIES:Geopolitics,Member Social,Middle East
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacaustin.org/wp2015/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Globalist-logo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260715T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260715T190000
DTSTAMP:20260609T160131
CREATED:20260520T235653Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T000151Z
UID:15029-1784138400-1784142000@wacaustin.org
SUMMARY:WorldNow: The Future of War
DESCRIPTION:On this special edition of WorldNow with Jim Falk\, we sit down with Elliot Ackerman\, author of 2084: A Novel of the Future of War. \n\n\n\n\nWhat will war look like in 2084 – in a world devastated by climate change? \nJoin us on WorldNow with Jim Falk as we sit down with Elliot Ackerman\, author of 2084: A Novel of the Future of War; NYT bestselling author\, and contributing writer at The Atlantic. \nIn 2084\, decorated military officers and award-winning authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis write a world on the brink of war\, divided between equatorial countries ravaged by climate change and the wealthier\, politically fractured countries like China and the U.S. 2084 follows their two previous novels\, envisioning a war between the U.S. and China in 2034 and the breakdown of American politics fueled by AI in 2054 \nThe details:\nWhen: Wednesday\, July 15 | 6:00pm-7:00pm CDT \nWhere: Zoom Webinar \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2084 (A Novel of Future War) by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis\n“Gripping…Ackerman and Stavridis stage a harrowing global conflict that pits military might against an appetite for justice… equal parts haunting and entertaining.” —Publishers Weekly\, starred review \nA gripping drama and chilling prophecy about the possible path to war for a planet devastated by climate change \nIn their novel 2034\, decorated military officers and award-winning authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis imagined a war between the US and China. In their follow-up novel\, 2054\, they envisioned a breakdown in American politics fueled by a radical advance in AI. Now they make their boldest\, most astonishing\, and arguably most necessary leap—imagining the consequences of a climate war. \nBy the year 2084\, the world is divided into the equatorial countries that bear the brunt of the climate crisis—led by Nigeria\, Brazil\, and Indonesia—and wealthier countries like China and the US\, beset by their own problems after a series of civil wars. Tensions between the two sets of countries have reached a breaking point\, until finally the so-called Reparationist nations of the equator decide that only military force can bring them justice. \nA fascinating and disturbingly plausible extrapolation from current realities\, 2084\, like other classics of the genre such as Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future and Neal Stephenson’s Termination Shock\, deploys a global cast of characters\, all protecting their interests as the fate of human civilization hangs in the balance. Individuals often seem small in the face of the forces that drive global change\, but in the end human agency proves surprisingly decisive. Big doors can swing on small hinges. We have it within ourselves to write a different destiny\, if only we can imagine it. \nGet yourself a copy of 2084 on Bookshop.org and support your local bookstore \n\n\n\n\nPartners\nWorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut with the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and the World Affairs Councils of America. Presented in partnership with Councils nationwide:
URL:http://wacaustin.org/event/worldnow-the-future-of-war/
LOCATION:ONLINE
CATEGORIES:author,Geopolitics,peace and conflict
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260830T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260830T160000
DTSTAMP:20260609T160131
CREATED:20260521T004110Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T004158Z
UID:15036-1788087600-1788105600@wacaustin.org
SUMMARY:Japan Business Seminar and Oita Summer Festival
DESCRIPTION:The World Affairs Council of Austin is once again a partner organization for the annual Oita Japan Festival!   You won’t want to miss the “Doing Business in Japan” seminar. \nTexas exports over $6 billion in goods and services to Japan.  Japan is also a top five export market for central Texas companies.  Be sure to attend this informative session to learn more from our friends at Q-Branch\, JETRO-Houston\, and the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. \nThe business-focused session will include an overview of Japan’s industry sectors including a look at the Japanese corporate presence in the U.S.\, Japanese cultural characteristics\, promising sectors for U.S. goods and services\, and resources for American companies wishing to establish a corporate entity in Japan.
URL:http://wacaustin.org/event/japan-business-seminar/
LOCATION:Long Center for the Performing Arts\, 701 W. Riverside Drive\, Austin\, TX\, 78704\, United States
CATEGORIES:Business,cultural
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacaustin.org/wp2015/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Oita-Summer-Fest-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T210000
DTSTAMP:20260609T160131
CREATED:20260409T234248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T020027Z
UID:14936-1789495200-1789506000@wacaustin.org
SUMMARY:Fiesta de El Grito de Independencia 2026 Celebration
DESCRIPTION:The World Affairs Council of Austin\, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Mexico\, the Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities Association\,  the City of Austin Econonic Development Department\, and Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation host the annual Fiesta de El Grito de Independencia. \nThis day marks the 216th anniversary of the declaration of independence from Spain by the Mexican priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. The event is free and open to the public. \nThe highlight of the evening will be when Consul General of Mexico Humberto Hernández Haddad reenacts the cry for independence.  The event will include music\, dance\, an artisan mercado with arts and crafts from México. \nNo RSVPs necessary.
URL:http://wacaustin.org/event/fiesta-de-el-grito-de-independencia-2026-celebration/
LOCATION:Republic Square Park\, 422 Guadalupe Street\, Austin\, TX\, 78701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Cultural Heritage Series,educational,Mexico
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wacaustin.org/wp2015/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CG-HumbertoHernandezHaddad.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261216
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261217
DTSTAMP:20260609T160131
CREATED:20200713T171547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T230027Z
UID:4115-1797379200-1797465599@wacaustin.org
SUMMARY:Full List of Upcoming Events for Members of the World Affairs Council of Austin
DESCRIPTION:Members\, please check your newsletter for registration details.  Non-members may join by visiting our Membership page. \n  \nJune — \n17th at 5:30 pm The Middle East: Where are We Now? // \n24th at 6:30 pm Globalist Coffeehouse: Middle East // \nJuly — \n15th at 6:00 pm ONLINE WorldNow: The Future of War // \n16th TBD International Social Event // \nAugust — \n30th at 11:00 am Annual Oita (Japan) Summer Festival // \nSeptember — \n15th at 6:00 pm Fiesta de El Grito de Independencia 2026 Celebration // \n23rd at 5:30 pm Critical Rare Earths/Strategic Minerals: Geopolitical Competition Among Major Powers (China\, Russia\, USA) // \n  \nmore events will be listed as details and speakers are confirmed
URL:http://wacaustin.org/event/upcoming-events/
LOCATION:MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
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