• A Conversation with Lawrence Wright

    Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for a conversation with Lawrence Wright, author, screenwriter, and playwright. Mr. Wright received the Pulitzer Prize for this book, "The Looming […]

  • Globalist Coffeehouse: The Middle East – Where are We Now?

    Khon Thai Kitchen 5800 Burnet Road, Austin, United States

    What is the region’s future, starting with Gaza and the West Bank? What will be the role of the US and countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia,  the UAE, and Egypt? The […]

  • Ukraine and Innovation at the Edge

    Join your fellow World Affairs Council of Austin members for Ukraine and Innovation at the Edge featuring Ross Guieb, Executive Director for the George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex at […]

  • Globalist Coffeehouse: US Currency & Its Global Influence

    5280 Burger and Taphouse 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, United States

    In 1785, the US adopted the dollar sign as its official currency. Just three years later, in 1789, the very first dollar bill was issued. By 1791, Alexander Hamilton established the Bank of the United States. For over the last century, the dollar has been a dominant force in international trade.  An interesting fact is that […]

  • WorldNow: The World Ahead 2026 with The Economist’s Editor Tom Standage

    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 8, Standage rejoins the Council to discuss his publication’s analysis for 2026. In conversation […]

  • Venezuela and the U.S.: What Comes Next?

    ONLINE

    Gunboat diplomacy, armed conflict, or all-out regime change? As tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela continue to rachet up, all outcomes and more seem to be on the table. The U.S. has declared an armed conflict with Venezuela, increased military pressure in the Caribbean, and accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of heading Cartel de los […]

  • America’s Changing Strategic Assumptions about China: Implications for the Bilateral Relationship

    In his talk, David Firestein will examine how key U.S. assumptions about China and strategic aspirations and intentions have changed over the last ten to fifteen years and analyze and assess the impact of these shifts on U.S. policy choices and policy performance.  This event is by invitation-only. Please notify us of your interest to receive an invitation by […]

  • Globalist Coffeehouse: China in the First Decades of the 21st Century

    5280 Burger and Taphouse 7032 Wood Hollow Dr, Austin, TX, United States

    NEW DATE:  February 4th In the decades to come, what will China's role be in the global world order? The relationship with the U.S. has been one of competition but also cooperation on certain global issues, such as climate change. Still, it is said that the “Belt and Road Initiative” might become the “Belt and […]

  • World Now: 250 Years of U.S. Foreign Policy – The Best & Worst

    ONLINE

    From the Marshall Plan, the Louisiana Purchase, and the creation of the United Nations to the bombing of Nagasaki, Indian Removal Act, and the invasion of Iraq, U.S. foreign policy decisions throughout its 250-year history have had an immense impact in reshaping our nation and the world. James Lindsay, Senior Fellow at the Council on […]

  • Critical Rare Earth Minerals & Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

    ONLINE

    Competition on critical rare earth minerals has moved to the forefront of the global geopolitical landscape with many policy leaders and industry experts contending that this issue could be the defining feature of the international security and economic system for decades ahead. In April 2026, the World Affairs Council of Austin in collaboration with the […]