The World Ahead 2025 with Tom Standage
2024-12-12 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | ONLINE
Each year, The Economist publishes The World Ahead series: an informed prediction of the major themes that will dominate the coming year. Spanning topics from politics to technology to sociology and more, this series edited by Tom Standage is as ambitious as it is awe-inspiring. On December 12, Standage rejoins the the World Affairs Councils to discuss his publication’s analysis for 2025 in this ONLINE conversation with Jim Falk, the host of WorldNow.
REGISTER HERE

Most Honorable Son with Gregg Jones: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism
2025-01-09 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for the first WorldNow virtual conversation of 2025. Author Gregg Jones introduces us to Ben Kuroki, who enlisted following Pearl Harbor and eventually became the first Asian American and only Japanese American to fight in the Pacific theater during WWII. Ben’s vocal championing of anti-bigotry, patriotism, and honor spurred the Roosevelt Administration to reconsider the incarceration of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans on the West Coast.
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WorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut and Global Santa Fe. Presented in partnership with the Asia Society – Texas, Alaska World Affairs Council, Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, World Affairs Council of Albuquerque, World Affairs Council of Austin, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, World Affairs Council of Houston, World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, World Affairs Council of Orange County, World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, WorldOregon, and Perspectives Matter.

About the Author
A long-time foreign correspondent and investigative journalist, Pulitzer Prize finalist Gregg Jones has covered civil wars and insurgencies in Asia and Latin America, the fall of Asia’s two longest-ruling twentieth-century dictators, and the early months of the U.S. war in Afghanistan.
He is the author of the acclaimed nonfiction books Honor in the Dust: Theodore Roosevelt, War in the Philippines, and the Rise and Fall of America’s Imperial Dream, and Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines’ Finest Hour in Vietnam, which received the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s General Wallace M. Greene Jr. Award for distinguished nonfiction.
About the Host
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, NM, he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe. In addition to hosting WorldNow with Jim Falk, Jim produces and hosts The Forum, a weekly talk show on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Public Radio. Jim also hosts Perspectives Matter, which airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

About the Book
Most Honorable Son: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II by Gregg Jones
The first comprehensive biography of unjustly forgotten war hero Ben Kuroki, a Japanese American farm boy from Nebraska who flew fifty-eight combat missions, fighting the Axis Powers during World War II and battled racism, injustice, and prejudice on the home front.
Ben Kuroki was a twenty-four-year-old Japanese American farm boy whose heritage was never a problem in remote Nebraska–until Pearl Harbor. Among the millions of Americans who flocked to military stations to enlist, Ben wanted to avenge the attack, reclaim his family honor, and prove his patriotism. But as anti-Japanese sentiment soared, Ben had to fight to be allowed to fight for America. And fight he did.
As a gunner on Army Air Forces bombers, Ben flew fifty-eight missions spanning three combat theaters: Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. In between his tours in Europe and the Pacific, he challenged FDR’s shameful incarceration of more than one hundred thousand people of Japanese ancestry in America, and he would be credited by some with setting in motion the debate that reversed a grave national dishonor. In the euphoric wake of America’s victory, the decorated war hero used his national platform to carry out what he called his “fifty-ninth mission,” urging his fellow Americans to do more to eliminate bigotry and racism at home.
Told in full for the first time, and long overdue, Ben’s extraordinary story is a quintessentially American one of patriotism, principle, perseverance, and courage. It’s about being in the vanguard of history, the bonding of a band of brothers united in a just cause, a timeless and unflinching account of racial bigotry, and one man’s transcendent sense of belonging–in war, in peace, abroad, and at home.
Get a copy of Most Honorable Son on Bookshop.org and support local bookstores.

Africa: Issues and Opportunities
2025-01-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
The continent of Africa comprises 54 vibrant, geographically and culturally diverse countries with over 2,000 languages and 1.5 billion people. By 2050, one in every four humans will be African. What will its global role as a region and even individual countries be in the 21st century? How will climate change issues with the resulting drought and famine, warfare, and exploitation of geographical resources play out in the following decades? While the Western media tends to focus on the region’s negative aspects, opportunities are associated with a thriving economy in certain countries and territories. It is a continent of remarkable contrast and one we should know.
Larry Andre is a retired Ambassador with a 38-year career in global public affairs. He was our ambassador to Somalia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and numerous other State Department postings throughout Africa. Former Ambassador Andre lectures on Contemporary African Policy Issues at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas.
REGISTER HERE

Priorities for the New Administration with H.R. McMaster
2025-01-23 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for this special WorldNow virtual conversation. Lt. Gen. (ret.) H.R. McMaster served for 13 months as President Trump’s National Security Advisor. Just two days after the inaugural, he joins us to break down the critical national security and foreign policy priorities that will shape the next four years.
McMaster is also the author of War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House.
REGISTER HERE
About the Speaker
Lt. General H. R. McMaster (US Army, Ret.) is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. General McMaster was the 26th National Security Advisor to President Donald J. Trump from February 2017 to April 2018. Upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy, he served as a commissioned officer for 34 years in the Army before retiring in June 2018.
McMaster earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of several books including At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House; Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World and Dereliction of Duty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam.
Additionally, General McMaster hosts Battlegrounds: Vital Perspectives on Today’s Challenges, a podcast produced by the Hoover Institution. He is a Distinguished University Fellow at Arizona State University.
About the Host
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, NM, he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe. In addition to hosting WorldNow with Jim Falk, Jim produces and hosts The Forum, a weekly talk show on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Public Radio. Jim also hosts Perspectives Matter, which airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Africa
2025-01-29 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
The topic is Africa: Issues and Opportunities.
The continent of Africa comprises 54 vibrant, geographically and culturally diverse countries with over 2,000 languages and 1.5 billion people. By 2050, one of every four humans will be African. What will its global role as a region and even individual countries be in the 21st century? How will climate change issues with the resulting drought and famine, warfare, and exploitation of geographical resources play out in the following decades? While the Western media tends to focus on the negative aspects of the region, there are also the opportunities associated with a thriving economy in certain countries and even regions. It is a continent of remarkable contrast and one we should know.
Please register using the link below and join us for a lively discussion on a serious topic.

2025 Central Texas Academic WorldQuest™ Competition
2025-02-15 10:00 - 13:00
REGISTION HAS ENDED for your high school team on February 5th at 5:00 pm if your team is ready to compete in the Central Texas Academic WorldQuest™ (AWQ) competition.
Each year, Academic WorldQuest™ seeks to inform and engage high school teens and their teachers across the country in global affairs. More than 4,000 students participate and test their knowledge of international affairs, global current events, and foreign policy. The winning high school teams at each local competition becomes eligible to participate at the Carlos and Malú Alvarez National Academic WorldQuest™ Competition in Washington DC (April 27-29, 2025). Our competition consists of 10 rounds of 10 questions about specific global themes. Each team is comprised of currently enrolled students from the same high school. All high schools located in our five-county metro region (Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson) are eligble to send a team to compete.
The partner organizations for the competition are the World Affairs Council of Austin, Austin Community College, the Center for European Studies, and Hemispheres: The International Outreach Consortium at the University of Texas at Austin.
What is it?
Academic WorldQuest™ is a flagship youth education program of the national network of World Affairs Councils. It is a team competition that engages more than 4,000 high school students annually across the United States to test their knowledge of global issues and foreign policy. In the competition, four-person teams compete by answering multiple-choice questions divided into ten unique and engaging thematic categories. AWQ is a terrific opportunity to engage students in global affairs in a competition against fellow high school students in the Austin metropolitan area. We have had great success and participation in this competition in past years and want to make it even bigger!
Join the competition!
Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Austin Community College’s Highland Campus from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Registration Information
Teams consist of four high-school students and at least one alternate team member. High Schools may register teams of 4 students in grades 9 – 12, however; the contest is especially relevant to students in World Geography, AP Human Geography, and Economics. REGISTER YOUR TEAM BEFORE 5:00 pm on February 5, 2025.
How do we prepare?
Academic WorldQuest™ competition student study guide is available here.
2024-2025 AWQ Topics
• The United States and Foreign Languages
• Critical Minerals in Africa
• Nontraditional Approaches to Foreign Policy
• Space and National Security
• Indigenous Peacebuilding
• Music and Globalization
• Borders and Boundaries
• Great Decisions
• Country in Focus: Mexico 2025
• Current Events

Globalist Coffeehouse: Economic Migration Around the World
2025-02-19 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
Please join us for the Globalist Coffeehouse at the 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, on WEDNESDAY, February 19th, at 6:30 p.m.

Economic Migration Around the World

Throughout history, migration has played a key role in the establishment of borders, territories, and countries. Think of nomads traveling across vast types of lands and vegetation in order to continue moving onward, despite not having an established settlement. Yet, their influence plays a key in how future settlements came about.

Fast forward to the present day, the level of international reliance on one another- in economic terms- has become a major factor in how we conduct business; it is difficult to imagine otherwise.

When it comes to specific policies, each country has its own understanding in regards to refugees, immigration, and ultimately a path towards citizenship. Although the process might be varied, all countries agree that they want a positive contribution within their borders. However, what happens when there are anomalies? What regulations should be set in place in order to adhere to the laws? What implications might climate change, catastrophe, or war play in how a country dictates its immigration policy?

Please join us for a lively discussion.

For non-members: Please register first to receive your invitation as a guest.

Brexit 5 Years Later - Where are We Now, and What are the Future Implications?
2025-02-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
In 2020, the UK left the EU. What were the expectations, and where are we now? It’s said that Brexit will cost the UK economy 4% of GDP over the long term. Today, polls show that most individuals in the UK regret the decision. And what about its impact on the EU? Who has benefited from this action? Many would say Ireland and even the EU as corporations moved from London to Dublin, Paris, or other European cities and even countries to remain in the EU. There is talk of a “reset” with a focus from the EU perspective on long-term fishing rights and freedom of movement. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, what are the implications for both organizations, the UK and the EU, with new US administrations’ tariff policies on imports and potentially disengaging from NATO?

Dr. Michael W. Mosser is the Director of the University of Texas at Austin Center for European Studies (CES). He is also an Associate Professor of Instruction with a joint appointment in the Department of Government and the International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) program. He is a Distinguished Scholar at the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law and was the Executive Director of the Global Disinformation Lab (GDIL) from 2022 to 2024.

Dr. William Nichols is the Chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Global Studies, and Political Science at St. Edwards University. He has taught various courses over the years, focusing in particular on International Relations, European Politics, American Foreign Relations, and Strategic Intelligence. Dr. Nichols is active in global initiatives on the St. Edwards campus and abroad. He has led 12 European and Asian study programs.

For non-members: Please register first to receive your invitation as a guest.

Commander Jonathan Norris, Naval Aviator and Foreign Area Officer
2025-03-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
Join us for an engaging talk with Commander Jonathan Norris, a distinguished Naval Aviator and Foreign Area Officer. With over 19 years of service, CDR Norris brings a wealth of experience from his diverse roles in aviation, leadership, and international relations. From piloting helicopters in the Middle East to serving as a military advisor in Washington DC and managing defense cooperation in Azerbaijan and Egypt, his career spans crucial aspects of modern military operations and diplomacy. Currently a Federal Executive Fellow at UT Austin’s Clements Center for National Security, CDR Norris offers unique insights into leadership, national security, and defense strategy. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a decorated officer whose career embodies the multifaceted nature of today’s naval service.

For non-members: Please register first to receive your invitation as a guest.

Polish Tech Innovation Networking Night
2025-03-07 18:00 - 21:30 | Thompson Hotel, 506 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin’s partner organizations for an exciting evening of innovation, culture, and networking at the Polish Tech Innovation Networking Night during SXSW on March 9th! This exclusive event will showcase Poland’s brightest tech companies, offering a unique opportunity to meet the minds behind the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of tech.
MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION HERE

Slovak House at SXSW
2025-03-09 10:30 - 20:00
REGISTRATION CLOSED EVENT AT CAPACITY

Bridging Slovakia & Texas for Unstoppable Business Growth
​Texas is where businesses grow fast, and Slovakia is where world-class ideas and innovations come from. Join us at Slovak House 2025, a high-energy, one-day event designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals eager to expand in Texas – the land of limitless opportunities!
​Join World Affairs Council of Austin’s President, Mortada Mohamed at this all day networking event about real opportunities. You’ll hear from Slovak companies breaking into the U.S. market, meet people who know how to succeed in Texas, and get straight talk from those who’ve done it.
​If you want to learn how to expand, invest, or partner in one of the most business-friendly states in the U.S., this is the room you need to be in.
​REGISTRATION CLOSED EVENT AT CAPACITY
​PROGRAM – SLOVAK HOUSE
​📌 10:30 AM – Welcome to Slovak House
Radovan Javorcik – Ambassador of Slovakia to the United States
Andrea Hrusovska – Chief People Officer at Slovak PRO
📌 10:50 AM – Business Friendly Slovakia
Vladimir Lackovic – Special Representative to the U.S. for Trade and Investment, SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency
Nikola Kmecova – FDI Consultant, SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency
​📌 11:20 AM – TEDx Talk: Slovak Success in the U.S.
Vlado Hruda – Product Manager, Miro
​📌 11:40 AM – Quick Pitch Session
15 Slovak companies, 60 seconds each
​📌 12:00 PM – PANEL 1: Practical Foundations for Success in Texas
Panel of lawyers: Dave Quinn, John Sigety & Martin Valko
Moderator: Erin McKelvey – President, EACC of Texas
📌 13:00 PM – Networking Lunch
​📌 2:00 PM – PANEL 2: The Austin Ecosystem – Your Growth Partner
Marcos Cervantes – CEO of Q-Branch
Mortada Mohamed – President, World Affairs Council of Austin
Scott Smith – Director of Economic Development, City of Cedar Park
David Steele – Director, Plug and Play Sportstech
​📌 3:00 PM – KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Texas – The Land of Opportunity
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson
​📌 3:20 PM – Coffee & Networking
​📌 3:40 PM – Quick Pitch Session (Round 2)
15 Slovak companies, 60 seconds each
​📌 4:00 PM – Achieving Success in America
Grant Mitterlehner – CEO of MittGroup
​📌 4:30 PM – TEDx Talk: Slovak AI Innovation Changing America
Niko Dubovsky – Co-founder of SuperCity AI
​📌 4:40 PM – Closing Remarks
​📌 5:00 – 8:00 PM – Networking with Slovak food and drinks
Organizers & Partners:
​SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency | Slovak PRO | Embassy of Slovakia in Washington D.C. | Consulate of Slovakia in Texas | European Union | Programme Slovakia | HR4U
​

CZECH Night at SXSW
2025-03-10 16:30 - 23:00
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin’s partners and experience the best of Czech innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture at the inaugural Czech House @ SXSW 2025!
​Kick off the evening with a flagship Pitch Event, where visionary Czech startups take the stage to showcase groundbreaking ideas. Then, connect with industry leaders, investors, and creatives at a networking reception, featuring a welcome speech by the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Lukáš Vlček. As the night unfolds, immerse yourself in exclusive live performances, bringing the energy of the Czech music scene to Austin.
SEE DETAILS AND REGISTER FOR CZECH NIGHT HERE
SEE CZECH SCHEDULE OF SXSW EVENTS HERE

Asia x Austin International Market Summit
2025-03-11 12:00 - 21:00 | Austin Central Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, 78701, United States
The Asia x Austin International Market Summit returns for 2025!
In “Asian Market Briefings” we’ll hear from international trade experts and country representatives about business and investment opportunities in some of Asia’s most dynamic and robust markets. Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and India.
Event Launch Agenda:
12:00 | Registration
12:30 | GAACC Welcome & Summit Sponsors
12:45 | Regional Economic Ecosystem
12:50 | Why Austin
1:00 | Central Texas Cities
1:30 | Asian Markets Briefings
2:30 | Closing Remarks

DETAILS for Full Day AND RSVP HERE

WorldNow: The Future of Borders with Edward Alden
2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for this WorldNow virtual conversation. In its first few weeks, the Trump administration announced sweeping changes to immigration policy – from mass deportations and a migrant detention center at Guantanamo Bay to suspending asylum and trying to restrict birthright citizenship. What is the cost of these policies – to citizens and noncitizens alike?
CFR’s Edward Alden joins us on WorldNow with Jim Falk to explain the economic, social, and international impact of the new administration’s border policies and mass deportations.

Meet the Author
Edward Alden is Bernard L. Schwartz Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Alden’s career spans more than three decades in journalism, think tanks, and academia. He was the bureau chief for the Financial Times newspaper in Toronto, Canada, and Washington, DC before joining the Council on Foreign Relations in 2007.
In addition to his own books and articles, he has worked with senior US policymakers on in-depth investigations of issues such as US immigration policy, US trade policy, border security, and the future of work. Since 2019 he has also been a visiting professor at Western Washington University, and he currently writes a column for Foreign Policy.
Meet the Host
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, NM, he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe. In addition to hosting WorldNow with Jim Falk, Jim produces and hosts The Forum, a weekly talk show on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Public Radio. Jim also hosts Perspectives Matter, which airs weekly on KERA-Dallas (PBS). He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

When the World Closed Its Doors: The Covid-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders by Edward Alden and Laurie Trautman
A detailed exploration of the most sweeping government border closures in human history during the Covid-19 pandemic and the implications for the future of global mobility.
In When the World Closed Its Doors, Edward Alden and Laurie Trautman tell the story of how nearly every country in the world shut its borders to respond to an external threat and explain how this global shock to the system ended up transforming state border policies around the world.
They detail the consequences of the COVID border restrictions – couples separated for years, children blocked from reuniting with their parents, container ship workers moving essential goods trapped at sea, pregnant citizens barred from returning home – and explain why governments used their harshest containment measures on those coming from outside.
Throughout, Alden and Trautman focus on human stories to show the multiple impacts that states’ increasing restrictiveness has had – economic, demographic, social, and political. And the fallout continues: governments left unchecked will continue to restrict borders with little regard to the collateral damage and disruption they cause.
A sweeping overview of the re-bordering of the world, both during and after 2020, this synthetic, wide-angle view of a singular shock to the international systems of travel and migration highlights why citizens need better protections and governments more robust guardrails.
Get a copy of When the World Closed Its Doors

Globalist Coffeehouse: The "World Order" and US National Security in Transition
2025-03-26 18:30 - 19:30 | 5280 Burger and Taphouse, 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, 78731, United States
The “World Order” that has defined American “National Security” since the years after WWII is now in transition. What does this mean for the US and the rest of the world? US National Security was previously defined as containing the spread of Communism, encouraging democracy, creating a transnational economic system based on the dollar, and promoting economic growth and stability for countries and our multinational corporations.
How will “National Security” be determined in the future? What policies will result from this transition as it relates to US allies and adversaries? Some would use the term “pivot.” Others view it more ominously as the end of the post-World War II era and a new one that appears more transactional, centered in national self-interest at the expense of alliances, and less interested in shared responsibilities and democratic values.
REGISTER HERE

Foreign Policy ONLINE Town Hall with Senator Chris Murphy
2025-03-31 11:00 - 12:00 | ONLINE
Join fellow World Affairs Councilmembers from across the nation for a town hall on U.S. Foreign Policy. We’ll address the massive changes to the State Department, the role of the U.S. in conflicts around the world, and relationships with allies and adversaries alike.
REGISTER HERE
About Senator Murphy

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), is a member of the Foreign Relations Committee; the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and the Appropriations Committee. He previously served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Connecticut’s fifth congressional district. Before being elected to Congress, he served for eight years in the Connecticut state legislature.

Quebec Semiconductor Delegation Reception
2025-04-10 08:00 - 09:30 | St. Edwards University, 3001 S Congress Avenue, Austin, TX, 78704, United States
You’re invited to a networking breakfast welcoming a trade delegation of Québec semiconductor companies
The Québec Government, the World Affairs Council of Austin, the Global Affairs Society, and St. Edwards University would like to invite you to connect with companies in the semiconductor sector. This event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build professional relationships, and strengthen the connections that drive the Austin and Québec semiconductor industries forward.
We hope you will join us for a dynamic discussion as we continue collaborating to shape the future of global trade in this thriving industry.

Please RSVP to: Eglantine Pauvarel Moss eglantine.pauvarelmoss@mri.gouv.qc.ca

Africa: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
2025-04-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel Street, Austin, TX, 78705, United States
Former Ambassador Larry Andre, currently with the L.B.J. School, previously presented a program on Africa to the World Affairs Council. He will return to discuss a continent that has seen radical change in the very recent past. The media tends to focus on a continent facing civil war, militant Islam/terrorism, famine, and even genocide. Is it an accurate portrayal? No. Many African countries offer stability and opportunity to their citizens. Professor Andre will briefly discuss a few positive examples.
American influence in Africa has suffered a setback due to the abrupt cancellation of USAID. Given the importance of some forms of foreign aid in advancing U.S. goals, influence, and interests, Professor Andre will discuss how vital foreign aid functions can operate “post-USAID.” What should the U.S. humanitarian response be for global health, development aid, technical aid, and security assistance?
REGISTER HERE

Globalist Coffeehouse: The Role of Art as a Reflection of Cultural Values
2025-04-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Khon Thai Kitchen, 5800 Burnet Road, Austin, 78756, United States
How does art reflect cultural values around the world? From Africa to the Asia Pacific to Europe or even to the Middle East, we share one commonality—the existence of art. Whether it is architecture, literature, music, sculpture, or visual art, everyone has their own beliefs and values.

Starting from the Neanderthal cave paintings to the most avant garde architecture of the 21st-century, art has motivated and inspired human beings. What drives each society to reflect on their values in such various ways? What do you think about how this portrays each culture?

I hope you will join us for what will be a very timely and consequently “lively” conversation! Please use the link below to register.
REGISTER HERE
For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: polina@wacaustin.org

World Now: Human Scale - A Conversation with Lawrence Wright
2025-05-06 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
In his new political thriller The Human Scale, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright tells the story of an Israeli cop and a Palestinian-American FBI agent who join forces to solve the murder of an Israeli police chief in the West Bank – set against the backdrop of the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict.
Wright joins us on WorldNow to discuss how his novel, which concludes on October 8th, 2023, underscores the human cost of this longstanding conflict. As he writes at the end of the book: “One cannot hope for an end to the strife without acknowledging the separate histories that each side claims.”
A staff writer at The New Yorker, Wright has spent decades reporting from the Middle East as a journalist, playwright, and novelist. He won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, his acclaimed nonfiction account of the rise of Al-Qaeda.
“The politics in this book are impossible to ignore; indeed, they’re the point. Wright is thorough in his recounting of key elements of the conflict.” – The New York Times
REGISTER HERE
Lawrence Wright is an author, screenwriter, playwright, and staff writer for The New Yorker magazine.
He is the author of eleven nonfiction books. His book about the rise of al-Qaeda, “The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11” (Knopf, 2006), was published to immediate and widespread acclaim. It won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. It was made into a series for Hulu in 2018, starring Jeff Daniels, Alec Baldwin, and Tahar Rahim.
Wright has published four novels, “Noriega: God’s Favorite” (Simon and Schuster, 2000) which was made into a Showtime movie starring Bob Hoskins; “The End of October” (Knopf, 2020), a bestseller about a viral pandemic that came out right at the beginning of COVID; “Mr. Texas” (Knopf, 2023), which has been optioned as a limited streaming series; and his most recent novel, “The Human Scale,” released in the spring of 2025.
Jim Falk is President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Now residing in Santa Fe, NM, he is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe. In addition to hosting WorldNow with Jim Falk, Jim produces and hosts The Forum, a weekly talk show on KSFR-FM, Santa Fe Public Radio. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

United States Foreign Policy in the New Century: Defining Vital Interests
2025-05-21 17:30 - 19:00
How will we define the vital interests of the U.S. related to our foreign policy in this new century? What should be our priorities, and how will we assess tradeoffs from Geostrategy to Economics? Also, what will be our role in promoting Human Rights, Democracy, and Development? Will we continue to lead America’s “Unfinished Fight for Democracy?” If so, how?
Dr. Jeremi Suri, the author of “Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy,” will address these questions and issues in a very engaging program.
This 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.
REQUEST AN INVITATION HERE
Dr. 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. Dr. Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on contemporary 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; Henry Kissinger and the American Century; Liberty’s Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama; and Foreign Policy Breakthroughs: Cases in Successful Diplomacy (with Robert Hutchings).
Dr. Suri writes for major newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, Boston Globe, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Fortune, The American Prospect and Wired — as well as for various online sites and blogs. He is a popular public lecturer and appears frequently on radio and television.
Education:
Ph.D. in History, Yale University, 2001
M.A. in History, Ohio University, 1996
A.B. in History, Stanford University, 1994

REQUEST AN INVITATION HERE

Ranch to Runway
2025-05-29 17:30 - 19:00
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin and our guest speaker Nina Means of ACC Fashion Incubator for “Ranch to Runway”—an elegant evening exploring fashion, trends, and global influence. Experience lively conversation, style inspiration, and forward-thinking insights. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the future of fashion.
This event is invitation-only. Please notify us of your interest to receive an invitation by completing the form linked below. Priority registration is available for World Affairs Council of Austin members. Bring your invitation to the event. Invitations are non-transferable.
REQUEST YOUR INVITATION HERE

Nina Means is the inaugural Director of the Austin Community College Fashion Incubator, where she leads the development of industry-driven programs that empower students and emerging fashion businesses. Her work focuses on building strategic partnerships, advancing digital transformation, and bridging the gap between creativity and commerce in Austin’s growing fashion sector.
Nina first connected with Mortada Mohamed and the World Affairs Council of Austin through the ATX+EGYPT Global Fashion Technology Accelerator—an initiative funded by the U.S. State Department and the City of Austin Economic Development Department. This program exemplifies her commitment to fostering global exchange and innovation in fashion.
With a background that spans public health and international fashion design, Nina has designed for brands such as Rebecca Taylor, American Eagle Outfitters, and H by Halston for QVC. She launched her own label in 2016 and has been recognized as a leader shaping Austin’s creative future in Austin Business Journal. Her accolades include features in WWD, a cover story for Austin Woman Magazine, being named one of 12 Women Shaping the Future of Austin by Austin Monthly, and appearing in a documentary on building creative teams alongside leaders from Pixar and Google.
Currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin, Nina continues to champion equitable education and workforce development. She is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of fashion innovators and creating meaningful opportunities for Austin’s creative community.

This event is invitation-only. Please notify us of your interest to receive an invitation by completing the form linked below. Priority registration is available for World Affairs Council of Austin members. Bring your invitation to the event. Invitations are non-transferable.
REQUEST YOUR INVITATION HERE

Global Trade Recalibrated: Understanding Today's Tariff Approach
2025-06-11 12:00 - 13:00 | ONLINE
The World Affairs Council of Austin and our partners at the Texas Camino Real District Export Council invite you to attend a webinar featuring Ricardo Carnevali, Director of Capital Markets – Foreign Exchange at Comerica Bank. Global Trade Recalibrated: Understanding Today’s Tariff Approach will provide a deeper look at the financial logic behind current U.S. trade policy and explore whether these strategies are moving the U.S. closer to achieving balanced trade.
REGISTER HERE
Ricardo Carnevali is the Capital Markets – Foreign Exchange Director at Comerica Bank in Dallas, Texas. He brings over 20 years of experience in global markets, derivatives, and risk management. His leadership spans prominent institutions, including Wells Fargo, Citibank, Toyota Financial Services, and Ecobat, where he specialized in advising multinational clients on navigating currency markets, liquidity challenges, and risk mitigation across North American and Latin American markets. Ricardo holds an MBA from Rice University, a Master’s in Finance from the University of London, and a BSc in Business Administration from the Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela.

World Affairs Councils of Austin and San Antonio Social
2025-06-21 13:00 - 15:00
It is time for our annual social with the World Affairs Councils of Austin and San Antonio. Enjoy the afternoon and conversations with our friends from the Alamo City!
This event is invitation-only. Please notify us of your interest to receive an invitation by completing the form linked below. Priority registration is available for World Affairs Council of Austin members. Bring your invitation to the event. Invitations are non-transferable.
REQUEST YOUR INVITATION HERE

Globalist Coffeehouse: Defining our Vital Interests in a New Century
2025-06-25 18:30 - 20:00
As a country and world power, we are in a period of transition, from how we approach both our allies and potential adversaries to the impact of technology, from drone warfare to cybertechnology and even AI. We are in the process of redefining our role in the world. What are our vital interests? Is there a role for the US in promoting Democracy, Human Rights, and Development? How do we establish priorities and implement corresponding policies to serve our vital interests?

We hope you will join us for what will be a very timely and consequently “lively” conversation!
REGISTER HERE
For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: polina@wacaustin.org

Virtual Conversation with NY Times Supreme Court Reporter
2025-07-15 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
Join our friends at the World Affairs Council of Connecticut and their partners at the CT Mirror for a virtual conversation on the Supreme Court’s decisions this past term – from birthright citizenship and immigration rights to judicial oversight and healthcare.
With Adam Liptak, New York Times Supreme Court reporter and moderator John Dankosky – hosted by CT Mirror.

The Details
When: Tuesday, July 15
Where: Zoom Webinar
Tickets: Free, RSVP Required

Featuring

Adam Liptak
Liptak, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, has covered the Supreme Court for The New York Times since 2008. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has taught at Yale, NYU, and the University of Chicago.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Fly Me Everywhere - Current Commercial Aviation
2025-07-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Khon Thai Kitchen, 5800 Burnet Road, Austin, 78756, United States
When Wilburn and Orville Wright built the world’s first airplane, there was a lot of skepticism as to how reliable and worthwhile it was. Their first flight happened on December 17th, 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They are now considered to be inventors and pioneers, ushering in the aviation industry.
Today, the average number of commercial flights is about 100,000 per day. That does not include military and private planes, helicopters, and large drones. Even with this statistic, aviation is considered to be one of the safest means of transportation. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions raised in regards to safety, thorough inspections, as well as proper training. There are numerous examples that could be provided, yet two crucial ones stand out the most.
In 2014, flight MH370 disappeared without a trace. Then, just this past January, an American Airlines flight collided mid-air with a United States Army Black Hawk over the Potomac River in Washington D.C. Such incidents raise many questions and concerns. It is a known fact that air traffic control is considered to be one of the most stressful jobs in the world.
So, when accidents do occur, do we fully understand the basic international regulations for search and rescue in such incidents? What factors determine which country takes responsibility for the accident? Is it the country of origin from which the flight departs, or is it the country of destination? How can the pilot and co-pilot be better equipped to lower the risk of such catastrophes? What about the top three airline manufacturers that dominate production – who should bear the ultimate responsibility? And then climate change also plays a role, with strong, sometimes violent storms impacting the destination of landings, causing delays and chaos at airports and frustration for passengers.
Please join us for what will be a very lively conversation with personal anecdotes about air travel experiences.

For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: polina@wacaustin.org

Federal Foreign Policy Briefing
2025-07-29 17:30 - 19:00
Join the World Affairs Council of Austin and hear from our featured guest speaker, Kiersten Kullenberg, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Outreach Director for Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Ms. Kullenberg will share details of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s (USGLC) brand new report, “Economic Security is National Security.” In addition to explaining USGLC’s work across the country and in Washington DC, Ms. Kullenberg will address USGLC’s recommendations for Rebuilding America’s International Assistance Infrastructure.
This 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.
REQUEST YOUR INVITATION HERE
Kiersten Kullenberg serves as The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Outreach Director for Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) works in our nation’s capital and across the country to champion America’s civilian-led tools of development and diplomacy to advance our national security, economic prosperity, and leadership position in the world. By advocating for a strong International Affairs Budget, the USGLC is working to make America’s international affairs programs a keystone of U.S. foreign policy. Prior to joining USGLC’s staff, Kiersten served as Director of Programs for the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Kiersten earned her B.A. in political science and international relations from Louisiana State University, studied abroad in Morocco, and was a member of The Golden Band From Tigerland.

Globalist Coffeehouse: Economic Security is National Security
2025-08-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Khon Thai Kitchen, 5800 Burnet Road, Austin, 78756, United States
The global threats to US national security increase day by day, with our adversaries and competitors working together to create chaos and disruption, not just on the military front, but also economically, and they are playing to win. Yet, too often, security and economic threats are addressed on separate tracks, not recognizing the connection between our financial security and national security. The fact that over the last decade, China has increased its investments in the developing world by 525% is just one excellent example. Simultaneously, many would suggest that most recently, we have actually retreated, with Africa and USAID being just the latest policy reversal.
While Americans certainly don’t want to be the “policeman of the world,” we do need to protect our interests. In addition to strengthening supply chains, bolstering infrastructure in emerging economies, and leveraging technology, some would suggest that using “soft power,” through US economic/development aid, is also a highly cost-effective tool. How should/will we use these tools at our disposal? What should our global role be, both economically and militarily, in future decades?

For more details contact:
Ellen Murry, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: ellen.murry@yahoo.com
Polina Anastassieva, Co-chair, of the Globalist Coffeehouse: polina@wacaustin.org

Greenland and the Geopolitics of the Arctic
2025-08-24 18:00 - 19:00 | ONLINE
As climate change accelerates the melting of Arctic ice, the region is rapidly emerging as a new geopolitical frontier. The Arctic holds immense strategic value due to its untapped natural resources—estimated to include 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of its natural gas—as well as critical rare earth minerals essential for modern technologies. Melting ice is also opening new maritime routes that could significantly shorten global shipping times, increasing the region’s economic and military importance.
Major powers, including the United States, Russia, and China, are expanding their presence in the Arctic, viewing it as a key arena for influence, resource competition, and military positioning. The Arctic’s role in global security is further underscored by its proximity to the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap, a vital chokepoint for NATO defense strategy.
Within this broader context, the Trump Administration renewed U.S. focus on Greenland as a strategic asset. Greenland’s geographic location makes it a cornerstone of Arctic defense, prompting the administration to place its military installations under U.S. Northern Command in 2025. The island’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals also attracted attention, particularly as the U.S. sought to counter China’s dominance in critical supply chains.
President Trump’s controversial proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark, while dismissed by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders, reflected a broader ambition to assert U.S. dominance in the Arctic. However, this approach drew criticism for marginalizing Greenlandic voices and treating the territory as a geopolitical commodity rather than recognizing its people as autonomous actors. As Greenland moves toward greater self-determination, future U.S. engagement will need to balance strategic interests with respect for local governance and aspirations.
