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SUMMARY:Second Monday with CTWAC | May 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join fellow World Affairs Council members and friends in conversation over dinner on the issues impacting our world. Connect and engage with others\, share your thoughts\, and explore how we can secure our global future. \n\n\n\nTopic: China’s Power in a Shifting World\n\n\nGlobal tensions are rising\, and China is testing the limits of its global influence. From the Middle East to Ukraine and U.S. ambition in Latin America to Taiwan\, Beijing is navigating a fractured landscape of conflicts\, competition\, and shifting alliances.\nHow is China positioning itself across these regions? Where is it asserting influence\, and where is it holding back? And what challenges could complicate its broader foreign policy goals?\nThis is a no-homework event\, but supplemental readings will be provided to attendees\n\n\n\nThe Details: \nWhen: Monday\, May 11th | 6-7:30PM\nWhere: McCarter & English\, LLP\, Stamford\, CT\nTickets: $20 Members\, $30 Non-members | Registration required\nSpace is limited \nReserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\nUpcoming Second Mondays:\nMay 11th - China's Power in a Shifting World\nJune 8th- *Topic TBA\n*Topics will be announced 1 week prior to events. \n\nPast Second Mondays:\nApril 13th - When Inequality Becomes Instability\nMarch 9th - The Iran Question\nFebruary 9th - Is 'The West' Over?\nJanuary 12th - What Just Happened in Venezuela? \n2025\nDecember 8th - Global Inequality & its Impacts on Societal Stability\nNovember 10th - Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Drones\nOctober 13th - A New Era of U.S. Foreign Policy\nSeptember 15th - Counterterrorism or Extra-Legal Killings: When Do Strikes on Non-State Targets Cross the Line?\nJune 9th - What's at stake in the India-Pakistan conflict?\nMay 12th - So many elections - what do they all mean?\nApril 28th (Special Edition) – Sudan’s Civil War & Sub-Saharan Africa after USAID\nApril 14th - The Future of Immigration Policy\nMarch 10th - NATO's Uncertain Future\nFebruary 10th – The End of USAID?\nJanuary 13th – Greenland\, the Panama Canal\, and The Future of Immigration Policy \n2024\nDecember 9th – A Rebalancing in the Middle East and the Taiwan Question\nNovember 12th – Foreign Policy in a New Administration\nOctober 14th – The World After the U.S. Election\nSeptember 30th – Worldwide Efforts to Battle - or Embrace - Disinformation\nJuly 15th – The Climate Crisis & Global Instability\nJune 10th – Potential Flash Points - How is the U.S. positioned and what happens next?\nMay 20th – Democratic Systems at a Crossroad\nApril 8th – War in Gaza: How did we get here?\nMarch 11th – Western Consensus on Ukraine: What’s Next? \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. As a member of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut\, you can get exclusive access to events and travel opportunities\, build relationships with local leaders and global dignitaries\, and join our community of global citizens. Let us bring the world to you.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/second-monday-with-ctwac-may-2026/
LOCATION:McCarter & English\, Two Stamford Plaza\, 281 Tresser Blvd\, 11th Floor\, Stamford\, CT\, 06901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fairfield County
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T181500
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SUMMARY:The Global AI Race with Sebastian Mallaby | WorldNow
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global balance of power. Nations are racing for advantage\, companies are competing for dominance\, and the quest for superintelligence is moving faster than ever. \nJoin us on WorldNow with Jim Falk as we sit down with Sebastian Mallaby\, author of The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis\, DeepMind\, & the Quest for Superintelligence and Senior Fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. \nFrom the rise of DeepMind and Silicon Valley to the intensifying global race for AI dominance\, we’ll explore what this technological competition could mean for security\, power\, and the future of the world economy. \nThe details:\nWhen: Wednesday\, May 20th | 6:15pm-7:15pm Eastern\nWhere: Zoom Webinar\nTickets: No charge\, RSVP Required \nReserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\nMeet the Guest\n \nSebastian Mallaby is the author of several books including the bestselling More Money Than God. A former Financial Times contributing editor and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist\, Mallaby is the Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. \nHe is the author of the newly published The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis\, DeepMind\, and the Quest for Superintelligence.  \n  \n\nMeet the Host\n\nJim 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. \n  \n  \n\nAbout the Book\nThe Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis\, DeepMind\, and the Quest for Superintelligence by Sebastian Mallaby \nFrom one of our leading chroniclers of the intersection of innovation and capitalism\, a landmark reckoning—based on unprecedented access—with one of the world’s most brilliant and driven tech visionaries\, and his game-changing company. \n“A fascinating portrait of Demis Hassabis\, the influential thinker heading DeepMind\, Google’s AI research laboratory…Mallaby captures Hassabis’ curiosity and relentless drive\, weaving a vivid tapestry of collaborators\, competitors\, and engineers of modern AI systems…A tantalizing glimpse inside the pursuit of machine superintelligence.”--Kirkus Reviews\, starred review \nGet yourself a copy of The Infinity Machine on Bookshop.org and support your local bookstore \n\nPresented by\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: \n \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. Learn more on our website about available opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. Council members gain exclusive\, lower-cost access to global events and travel opportunities\, while engaging with top international leaders. Join our community of global citizens and let us bring the world to you. \n\n\n\nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on global issues. The views expressed by speakers and contributors to this organization’s public programs—in person\, online\, and through affiliated social media sites— are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of CTWAC\, its individual staff\, board members\, members\, or sponsors. As a nonpartisan and nonpolitical organization\, CTWAC’s purpose is to foster informed discussion and greater understanding of the world\, without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/the-global-ai-race-worldnow/
LOCATION:Zoom Webinar
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T193000
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SUMMARY:Second Monday with CTWAC | June 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join fellow World Affairs Council members and friends in conversation over dinner on the issues impacting our world. Connect and engage with others\, share your thoughts\, and explore how we can secure our global future. \n\n\n\nTopic: A New Monroe Doctrine?\n\n\nFrom Cuba and Venezuela to Greenland and the Panama Canal\, recent U.S. actions raise a larger question: can any country still claim a sphere of influence in a globalized world? What would such a strategy mean for U.S. foreign policy\, America’s competitors\, and the future of the Western Hemisphere?\nThis is a no-homework event\, but supplemental readings will be provided to attendees\n\n\n\nThe Details: \nWhen: Monday\, June 8th | 6-7:30PM\nWhere: McCarter & English\, LLP\, Stamford\, CT\nTickets: $20 Members\, $30 Non-members | Registration required\nSpace is limited \nReserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\nUpcoming Second Mondays:\nJune 8th - A New Monroe Doctrine?\nJuly 13th - *Topic TBA\n*Topics will be announced 1 week prior to events. \n\nPast Second Mondays:\nMay 11th - China's Power in a Shifting World\nApril 13th - When Inequality Becomes Instability\nMarch 9th - The Iran Question\nFebruary 9th - Is 'The West' Over?\nJanuary 12th - What Just Happened in Venezuela? \n2025\nDecember 8th - Global Inequality & its Impacts on Societal Stability\nNovember 10th - Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Drones\nOctober 13th - A New Era of U.S. Foreign Policy\nSeptember 15th - Counterterrorism or Extra-Legal Killings: When Do Strikes on Non-State Targets Cross the Line?\nJune 9th - What's at stake in the India-Pakistan conflict?\nMay 12th - So many elections - what do they all mean?\nApril 28th (Special Edition) – Sudan’s Civil War & Sub-Saharan Africa after USAID\nApril 14th - The Future of Immigration Policy\nMarch 10th - NATO's Uncertain Future\nFebruary 10th – The End of USAID?\nJanuary 13th – Greenland\, the Panama Canal\, and The Future of Immigration Policy \n2024\nDecember 9th – A Rebalancing in the Middle East and the Taiwan Question\nNovember 12th – Foreign Policy in a New Administration\nOctober 14th – The World After the U.S. Election\nSeptember 30th – Worldwide Efforts to Battle - or Embrace - Disinformation\nJuly 15th – The Climate Crisis & Global Instability\nJune 10th – Potential Flash Points - How is the U.S. positioned and what happens next?\nMay 20th – Democratic Systems at a Crossroad\nApril 8th – War in Gaza: How did we get here?\nMarch 11th – Western Consensus on Ukraine: What’s Next? \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. As a member of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut\, you can get exclusive access to events and travel opportunities\, build relationships with local leaders and global dignitaries\, and join our community of global citizens. Let us bring the world to you.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/second-monday-with-ctwac-june-2026/
LOCATION:McCarter & English\, Two Stamford Plaza\, 281 Tresser Blvd\, 11th Floor\, Stamford\, CT\, 06901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fairfield County
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T200000
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SUMMARY:The Diplomat + Luminary Award 2026
DESCRIPTION:THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. For last-minute inquiries and accommodations\, please call us at (860) 241-6118. \nJoin us for an unforgettable evening at The Diplomat + Luminary Award\, the World Affairs Council of Connecticut’s signature gathering of diplomats from around the world and Connecticut’s top business\, government\, and community leaders. \nOver 50 nations will be represented as Consuls General\, Ambassadors\, and dignitaries gather in Hartford to offer unparalleled opportunities to connect\, exchange ideas\, and foster international partnerships. \nThis year\, we proudly present the Luminary Award\, honoring a Connecticut leader whose work has made a meaningful impact on the world. \nBe part of an evening where diplomacy meets community\, and where Connecticut shines on the global stage. \n\nThe Details\nWhen: Tuesday\, June 9 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm\nWhere: The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Hartford\, CT\nTickets: General Admission $125; Member Admission $99; Patron $250 \nCan’t attend? Donate instead! \n\nThe 2026 Luminary Award\nKarl J. Krapek\nGlobal Visionary\, Titan of Industry\, Philanthropist \nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut is proud to honor Karl J. Krapek with the 2026 Luminary Award\, recognizing his extraordinary global leadership and lasting impact on industry and community.  \nAcross a distinguished career – and through initiatives like Hartford Youth Scholars – Karl exemplifies principled\, forward-looking leadership and a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for the next generation in Hartford and beyond. \nJoin us on June 9 at The Diplomat for an unforgettable evening as we honor a leader who has changed the world for the better. \n\nWith Diplomats Representing\n\n\n\n\nSponsors\nSupport the Luminary-Diplomat as we honor Karl Krapek and celebrate Connecticut’s global impact. Learn about sponsorship opportunities here. \n \n\nMission Partners\n \n  \nJoin the Community\nWith continuous breaking global news\, Council membership allows you to understand it all. Members gain lower-cost and exclusive access to discussions with foreign and local leaders\, events with experts and opposing views\, and – most essentially – a community of engaged people like yourself. \nBecome a member or renew today.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/the-diplomat-luminary-award-2026/
LOCATION:Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art\, 600 Main Street\, Hartford\, CT\, 06103\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T193000
DTSTAMP:20260528T131714Z
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SUMMARY:The U.S. & Cuba: 250 Years of Change – What’s Next?
DESCRIPTION:From the early days of the republic to today’s headlines\, the story of U.S.–Cuba relations offers a compelling window into the evolution of American foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere. This is a story of empire\, revolution\, crisis\, and diplomacy – and it is far from over. \nJoin the World Affairs Council of Connecticut and Pequot Library for a unique opportunity to explore Cuba’s past\, present\, and future with Jack Leslie and Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis\, a central figure in the 2015 restoration of diplomatic relations and the first U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Havana since 1961. \nThe conversation will be moderated by Jack Leslie\, a longtime Fairfield resident and public relations executive\, political consultant\, and international development activist. \nHow has U.S.-Cuba relationship fundamentally changed over 250 years – and where is it headed next? RSVP to find out. \n\n\nDetails\nTuesday\, June 16\, 2026 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm\nPequot Library\, 720 Pequot Ave\, Southport\nTickets: No Charge\, Suggested $20 Donation \nReserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\nWith Special Guest\n \nAmbassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis\nCharge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Havana (2015-2017); Adjunct Professor\, Fordham University; Senior Non-Resident Fellow in International Affairs\, John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding\, Dartmouth College \nDuring his 28-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service\, Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis worked almost exclusively on Western Hemisphere issues and as a multilateral diplomat at the United Nations. He served as the first Charge d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Havana following the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba. Prior to taking up his Cuba post in August 2014\, he was the Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Previously\, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs\, and as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs and Security Council Coordinator at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. \nAmbassador DeLaurentis began his State Department career in 1991 as a consular officer in Havana and returned to Cuba as Political-Economic Section Chief in 1999-2002. In Washington\, he served as the Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs\, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs\, and Director of Inter-American Affairs at the National Security Council. His last assignment in the Foreign Service was at the Harvard Kennedy School as a Senior Diplomatic Fellow with the Belfer Center Future of Diplomacy Project. \nSubsequently\, Ambassador DeLaurentis was appointed a Centennial Fellow at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service\, Distinguished Resident Fellow in Latin American and Multilateral Diplomacy Studies at the Georgetown University Institute for the Study of Diplomacy\, George S. McGovern Visiting Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University\, Resident Fellow at the Harvard University David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies’ Cuba Studies Program\, and a Senior Advisor with the Albright Stonebridge Group.   He was also a member of the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team and called back to government service in January 2021 as the Senior Advisor for Security Council Affairs and Acting Deputy Permanent Representative at the U.S. Mission to the UN\, a position he held until September 2023. He then began a two-year appointment at Simmons University as the Joan M. Warburg Professor of International Relations. At the same time DeLaurentis also served as a diplomatic advisor on the U.S. interagency task force on Haiti and represented the U.S. on the advisory board of the UN Trust Fund in Support of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) to Haiti\, until December 2024. He was subsequently appointed the Magro Family Distinguished Fellow in International Affairs at the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College for the 2025 Fall Term. \nDeLaurentis is a graduate of the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service and Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. A recipient of multiple State Department awards\, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, the American Academy of Diplomacy and the Cuba Study Group. He recently joined the Stimson Center as a Distinguished Fellow and is a member of Stimson’s Latin American Program Advisory Council\, and continues as an associate with the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard. \n\nModerated By\nJack Leslie\nPublic Relations Executive and former Chair\, U.S. African Development Foundation \nJack Leslie is the former Chairman of Weber Shandwick\, one of the world’s leading public relations and public affairs firm. He was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the US Senate to Chair the Board of Directors of the US African Development Foundation (USADF)\, an independent federal agency. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and is a former Chair of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. \nJack is a veteran communications strategist\, having advised corporations and governments on high-profile campaigns over the past three decades. Jack served as a senior aide to Senator Edward Kennedy in the late 1970s\, and later became President of Sawyer Miller Group\, a pioneer in the political media consulting business. \nIn the 1980s\, he served as political consultant and media advisor to dozens of candidates for U.S. Senate and Governor\, and to presidential candidates in the U.S.\, Latin America\, Africa\, and Asia. Political and business leaders alike have sought his counsel during significant crises\, including American Airlines following the attacks of September 11th. \nJack is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, former Chairman of the U.S. Agency for International Development Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid\, former Chairman of USA for UNHCR and is currently a Distinguished Professor at Georgetown University and a Visiting Fellow at the Duke Global Health Institute. He is a member of the board of directors of Water.org\, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the NIH Clinical Center. Jack is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. \n\n \n\nJoin the Community\nWith continuous breaking global news\, Council membership allows you to understand it all. Members gain lower-cost and exclusive access to discussions with foreign and local leaders\, events with experts and opposing views\, and – most essentially – a community of engaged people like yourself. \nBecome a member or renew today. \n\nMission Partners\n \nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. Learn more on our website about available opportunities. \n\n\n\nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on global issues. The views expressed by speakers and contributors to this organization’s public programs—in person\, online\, and through affiliated social media sites— are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of CTWAC\, its individual staff\, board members\, members\, or sponsors. As a nonpartisan and nonpolitical organization\, CTWAC’s purpose is to foster informed discussion and greater understanding of the world\, without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/us-cuba-250-years-of-change/
LOCATION:Pequot Library\, 720 Pequot Ave\, Fairfield\, CT\, 06890\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fairfield County
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T200000
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SUMMARY:250 Years of American Diplomacy
DESCRIPTION:A Celebration of the U.S. at 250 with Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and Yale’s Michael Brenes\n\n\n\nJoin us as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an all-American party and reflect on America’s place in the world. \nWe’ll explore the pivotal decisions\, influential leaders\, and defining moments that propelled the nation onto the global stage. \nHow has diplomacy shaped America – and what does it mean for the road ahead? Join the celebration and RSVP today. \n\nDetails\nThursday\, June 18\, 2026 | 6:00-8:00pm\n6pm Celebration | 7pm Discussion\nWorld Affairs Council\, Studio A\, Hartford CT\nTickets: $30 General Admission\, $20 Members | No Charge for Students \nle=”color: #94be29;”>Reserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\n\nFeaturing\nMichael Brenes is co-director of the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy and lecturer in history at Yale University. \nHis research interests include United States foreign policy\, political history\, and political economy. He is the author of For Might and Right: Cold War Defense Spending and the Remaking of American Democracy\, published by University of Massachusetts Press in 2020\, and the co-editor (with Daniel Bessner) of Rethinking U.S. Power: Domestic Histories of U.S. Foreign Relations\, published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2024. His next book\, co-authored with Van Jackson\, is titled The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy\, and will be published by Yale University Press in January 2025. \nIn addition to his academic articles and book chapters\, his work has been published in The New York Times\, The New Republic\, Foreign Affairs\, Foreign Policy\, Politico\, Dissent\, Boston Review\, The Nation\, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. \nHe is currently writing a history of the War and Terror from the 1990s to the present\, to be published by Grove/Atlantic. He is also finalizing a co-edited volume with Daniel Bessner on Cold War liberalism\, which is under contract with Cambridge University Press. \nModerated By\n \nMayor Arunan Arulampalam\nMayor\, City of Hartford \nMayor Arulampalam is a father\, husband\, attorney\, former nonprofit executive\, and is committed to strengthening our neighborhoods and building a Hartford that works for everyone. \nThe son of Sri Lankan refugees\, Mayor Arulampalam was born in Zimbabwe. He made a home and eventually a family in Hartford soon after graduate school. Prior to being elected mayor\, Mayor Arulampalam served as the CEO of the Hartford Land Bank\, where he developed a first-in-the-nation program to train Hartford residents to become local developers and tackle blight in Hartford. The Land Bank takes on the city’s vacant and blighted properties and\, with the help of Hartford developers\, fixes them up to encourage investment in our neighborhoods across the city. \nMayor Arulampalam also served in the Lamont Administration as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection where he went after a notorious Connecticut slumlord and fought for consumer rights and small businesses. Before then\, he was a lawyer downtown at the firm of Updike\, Kelly & Spellacy\, P.C. Mayor Arulampalam also served on the Board of the Hartford Public Library\, the House of Bread\, and on the Hartford Redevelopment Authority. He earned his B.A. in International Studies from Emory University and his J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law. \nMayor Arulampalam lives in the Frog Hollow neighborhood in a formerly vacant and blighted house with his wife and five small kids. Mayor Arulampalam’s wife\, Liza\, is the Senior Minister of the First Church of Christ (Center Church) in Hartford. \n\nJoin the Community\nWith continuous breaking global news\, Council membership allows you to understand it all. Members gain lower-cost and exclusive access to discussions with foreign and local leaders\, events with experts and opposing views\, and – most essentially – a community of engaged people like yourself. \nBecome a member or renew today. \n\nMission Partners\n \nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. Learn more on our website about available opportunities. \n\n\n\nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on global issues. The views expressed by speakers and contributors to this organization’s public programs—in person\, online\, and through affiliated social media sites— are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of CTWAC\, its individual staff\, board members\, members\, or sponsors. As a nonpartisan and nonpolitical organization\, CTWAC’s purpose is to foster informed discussion and greater understanding of the world\, without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/250-years-of-american-diplomacy-hartford/
LOCATION:World Affairs Council of Connecticut\, 1049 Asylum Ave\, Hartford\, CT\, 06105\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T193000
DTSTAMP:20260708T154419Z
CREATED:20260611T165438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T154419Z
UID:10000425-1783965600-1783971000@ctwac.org
SUMMARY:Second Monday with CTWAC | July 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join fellow World Affairs Council members and friends in conversation over dinner on the issues impacting our world. Connect and engage with others\, share your thoughts\, and explore how we can secure our global future. \n\n\n\nTopic:Is the Rules-Based World Order at Risk?\n\n\nFrom Ukraine to Sudan to the Middle East\, international law is being tested by persistent conflicts and allegations of war crimes and genocide. Can a rules-based world order survive as alliances shift and fracture? And in an age of rapidly advancing drone technology and use\, how is the nature of war changing?\nThis is a no-homework event\, but supplemental readings will be provided to attendees\n\n\n\nThe Details: \nWhen: Monday\, July 13th | 6-7:30PM\nWhere: McCarter & English\, LLP\, Stamford\, CT\nTickets: $20 Members\, $30 Non-members | Registration required\nSpace is limited \nReserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\nUpcoming Second Mondays:\nJuly 13th - Is the Rules-Based World Order at Risk?\nAugust 10th - *Topic TBA\n*Topics will be announced 1 week prior to events. \n\nPast Second Mondays:\nJune 8th - A New Monroe Doctrine?\nMay 11th - China's Power in a Shifting World\nApril 13th - When Inequality Becomes Instability\nMarch 9th - The Iran Question\nFebruary 9th - Is 'The West' Over?\nJanuary 12th - What Just Happened in Venezuela? \n2025\nDecember 8th - Global Inequality & its Impacts on Societal Stability\nNovember 10th - Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Drones\nOctober 13th - A New Era of U.S. Foreign Policy\nSeptember 15th - Counterterrorism or Extra-Legal Killings: When Do Strikes on Non-State Targets Cross the Line?\nJune 9th - What's at stake in the India-Pakistan conflict?\nMay 12th - So many elections - what do they all mean?\nApril 28th (Special Edition) – Sudan’s Civil War & Sub-Saharan Africa after USAID\nApril 14th - The Future of Immigration Policy\nMarch 10th - NATO's Uncertain Future\nFebruary 10th – The End of USAID?\nJanuary 13th – Greenland\, the Panama Canal\, and The Future of Immigration Policy \n2024\nDecember 9th – A Rebalancing in the Middle East and the Taiwan Question\nNovember 12th – Foreign Policy in a New Administration\nOctober 14th – The World After the U.S. Election\nSeptember 30th – Worldwide Efforts to Battle - or Embrace - Disinformation\nJuly 15th – The Climate Crisis & Global Instability\nJune 10th – Potential Flash Points - How is the U.S. positioned and what happens next?\nMay 20th – Democratic Systems at a Crossroad\nApril 8th – War in Gaza: How did we get here?\nMarch 11th – Western Consensus on Ukraine: What’s Next? \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. As a member of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut\, you can get exclusive access to events and travel opportunities\, build relationships with local leaders and global dignitaries\, and join our community of global citizens. Let us bring the world to you.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/second-monday-with-ctwac-july-2026/
LOCATION:McCarter & English\, Two Stamford Plaza\, 281 Tresser Blvd\, 11th Floor\, Stamford\, CT\, 06901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fairfield County
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T200000
DTSTAMP:20260629T130713Z
CREATED:20260520T195655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T130713Z
UID:10000424-1784142000-1784145600@ctwac.org
SUMMARY:The Future of War | WorldNow
DESCRIPTION:What 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 | 7:00pm-8:00pm EDT\nWhere: Zoom Webinar\nTickets: No charge\, RSVP Required \nReserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\nMeet the Guest\n \nElliot Ackerman is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Halcyon\, 2034\, Red Dress In Black and White\, Waiting for Eden\, Dark at the Crossing\, and Green on Blue\, as well as the memoir The Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan\, and Places and Names: On War\, Revolution and Returning. \nHis books have been nominated for the National Book Award\, the Andrew Carnegie Medal in both fiction and nonfiction\, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize among others. \nHe is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and Marine veteran who served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan\, where he received the Silver Star\, the Bronze Star for Valor\, and the Purple Heart. He divides his time between New York City and Washington\, D.C. \n  \n\nMeet the Host\n\nJim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe\, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He is the host of WorldNow with Jim Falk and the producer and host of The Forum\, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM\, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021\, helping expand the organization's role as one of the nation's leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats\, senior intelligence officials\, policymakers\, military leaders\, scholars\, journalists\, and bestselling authors from around the world. Through WorldNow and The Forum\, he continues his commitment to fostering informed\, civil dialogue on the international\, political\, social\, and cultural issues shaping our world. \n  \n\nAbout the Book\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\nPresented by\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: \n \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. Learn more on our website about available opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. Council members gain exclusive\, lower-cost access to global events and travel opportunities\, while engaging with top international leaders. Join our community of global citizens and let us bring the world to you. \n\n\n\nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on global issues. The views expressed by speakers and contributors to this organization’s public programs—in person\, online\, and through affiliated social media sites— are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of CTWAC\, its individual staff\, board members\, members\, or sponsors. As a nonpartisan and nonpolitical organization\, CTWAC’s purpose is to foster informed discussion and greater understanding of the world\, without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/future-of-war-worldnow/
LOCATION:Zoom Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ctwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Future-of-War-Graphic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260817T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260817T193000
DTSTAMP:20260804T214709Z
CREATED:20260714T143401Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T214709Z
UID:10000427-1786989600-1786995000@ctwac.org
SUMMARY:Second Monday with CTWAC | August 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join fellow World Affairs Council members and friends in conversation over dinner on the issues impacting our world. Connect and engage with others\, share your thoughts\, and explore how we can secure our global future. \n\n\n\nTopic: How AI Has Changed the World\n\n\nFrom autonomous weapons and intelligence operations to civic life\, artificial intelligence is reshaping how nations compete\, economies grow\, and power is projected around the world. As governments and companies race to develop increasingly powerful AI\, who will set the rules – and who will gain the strategic advantage? How will AI transform warfare\, global stability\, and the international order in the decades ahead?\nThis is a no-homework event\, but supplemental readings will be provided to attendees\n\n\n\nThe Details: \nWhen: Monday\, August 17th | 6-7:30PM\nWhere: McCarter & English\, LLP\, Stamford\, CT\nTickets: $20 Members\, $30 Non-members | Registration required\nSpace is limited \nTickets \n\n\n \n\nUpcoming Second Mondays:\nAugust 17th - How AI Has Changed the World\nSeptember 14th - *Topic TBA\n*Topics will be announced 1 week prior to events. \n\nPast Second Mondays:\nJuly 13th - Is the Rules-Based World Order at Risk?\nJune 8th - A New Monroe Doctrine?\nMay 11th - China's Power in a Shifting World\nApril 13th - When Inequality Becomes Instability\nMarch 9th - The Iran Question\nFebruary 9th - Is 'The West' Over?\nJanuary 12th - What Just Happened in Venezuela? \n2025\nDecember 8th - Global Inequality & its Impacts on Societal Stability\nNovember 10th - Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Drones\nOctober 13th - A New Era of U.S. Foreign Policy\nSeptember 15th - Counterterrorism or Extra-Legal Killings: When Do Strikes on Non-State Targets Cross the Line?\nJune 9th - What's at stake in the India-Pakistan conflict?\nMay 12th - So many elections - what do they all mean?\nApril 28th (Special Edition) – Sudan’s Civil War & Sub-Saharan Africa after USAID\nApril 14th - The Future of Immigration Policy\nMarch 10th - NATO's Uncertain Future\nFebruary 10th – The End of USAID?\nJanuary 13th – Greenland\, the Panama Canal\, and The Future of Immigration Policy \n2024\nDecember 9th – A Rebalancing in the Middle East and the Taiwan Question\nNovember 12th – Foreign Policy in a New Administration\nOctober 14th – The World After the U.S. Election\nSeptember 30th – Worldwide Efforts to Battle - or Embrace - Disinformation\nJuly 15th – The Climate Crisis & Global Instability\nJune 10th – Potential Flash Points - How is the U.S. positioned and what happens next?\nMay 20th – Democratic Systems at a Crossroad\nApril 8th – War in Gaza: How did we get here?\nMarch 11th – Western Consensus on Ukraine: What’s Next? \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. As a member of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut\, you can get exclusive access to events and travel opportunities\, build relationships with local leaders and global dignitaries\, and join our community of global citizens. Let us bring the world to you.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/second-monday-with-ctwac-august-2026/
LOCATION:McCarter & English\, Two Stamford Plaza\, 281 Tresser Blvd\, 11th Floor\, Stamford\, CT\, 06901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fairfield County
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GEO:41.0518494;-73.5344009
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260914T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260914T193000
DTSTAMP:20260819T204916Z
CREATED:20260819T204916Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T204916Z
UID:10000430-1789408800-1789414200@ctwac.org
SUMMARY:Second Monday with CTWAC | September 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join fellow World Affairs Council members and friends in conversation over dinner on the issues impacting our world. Connect and engage with others\, share your thoughts\, and explore how we can secure our global future. \nThe Details: \nWhen: Monday\, September 14th | 6-7:30PM\nWhere: McCarter & English\, LLP\, Stamford\, CT\nTickets: $20 Members\, $30 Non-members | Registration required\nSpace is limited \nTickets \n\n\n \n\nUpcoming Second Mondays:\nSeptember 14th - *Topic TBA\nOctober 19th\n*Topics will be announced 1 week prior to events. \n\nPast Second Mondays:\nAugust 17th - How AI Has Changed the World\nJuly 13th - Is the Rules-Based World Order at Risk?\nJune 8th - A New Monroe Doctrine?\nMay 11th - China's Power in a Shifting World\nApril 13th - When Inequality Becomes Instability\nMarch 9th - The Iran Question\nFebruary 9th - Is 'The West' Over?\nJanuary 12th - What Just Happened in Venezuela? \n2025\nDecember 8th - Global Inequality & its Impacts on Societal Stability\nNovember 10th - Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of Drones\nOctober 13th - A New Era of U.S. Foreign Policy\nSeptember 15th - Counterterrorism or Extra-Legal Killings: When Do Strikes on Non-State Targets Cross the Line?\nJune 9th - What's at stake in the India-Pakistan conflict?\nMay 12th - So many elections - what do they all mean?\nApril 28th (Special Edition) – Sudan’s Civil War & Sub-Saharan Africa after USAID\nApril 14th - The Future of Immigration Policy\nMarch 10th - NATO's Uncertain Future\nFebruary 10th – The End of USAID?\nJanuary 13th – Greenland\, the Panama Canal\, and The Future of Immigration Policy \n2024\nDecember 9th – A Rebalancing in the Middle East and the Taiwan Question\nNovember 12th – Foreign Policy in a New Administration\nOctober 14th – The World After the U.S. Election\nSeptember 30th – Worldwide Efforts to Battle - or Embrace - Disinformation\nJuly 15th – The Climate Crisis & Global Instability\nJune 10th – Potential Flash Points - How is the U.S. positioned and what happens next?\nMay 20th – Democratic Systems at a Crossroad\nApril 8th – War in Gaza: How did we get here?\nMarch 11th – Western Consensus on Ukraine: What’s Next? \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. As a member of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut\, you can get exclusive access to events and travel opportunities\, build relationships with local leaders and global dignitaries\, and join our community of global citizens. Let us bring the world to you.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/second-monday-with-ctwac-september-2026/
LOCATION:McCarter & English\, Two Stamford Plaza\, 281 Tresser Blvd\, 11th Floor\, Stamford\, CT\, 06901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fairfield County
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GEO:41.0518494;-73.5344009
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261008T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261008T200000
DTSTAMP:20260824T132611Z
CREATED:20260715T225825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T132611Z
UID:10000428-1791486000-1791489600@ctwac.org
SUMMARY:All the Presidents' Wars with Peter Bergen | WorldNow
DESCRIPTION:How did the War on Terror reshape America – and the world?  \nPeter Bergen\, the journalist who conducted the first televised interview with Osama bin Laden in 1997 and author of All the Presidents’ Wars\, joins WorldNow with Jim Falk to examine the decisions of four U.S. presidents over 25 years of conflict and their lasting consequences: from the rise of ISIS and the Taliban’s return to Afghanistan to today’s war with Iran. \nThe details:\nWhen: Thursday\, October 8 | 7:00pm-8:00pm EDT\nWhere: Zoom Webinar\nTickets: No charge\, RSVP Required \nTickets \n\n\n \n\nMeet the Guest\n \nPeter Bergen is the author of seven books\, including Manhunt\, one of three New York Times bestsellers. Bergen is vice president at New America\, professor at Arizona State University\, and CNN national security analyst. \nHe is the author of All the Presidents’ Wars: Twenty-Five Years of America’s War on Terror\, available September 8th\, 2026. \n  \n\nMeet the Host\n\nJim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe\, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He is the host of WorldNow with Jim Falk and the producer and host of The Forum\, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM\, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021\, helping expand the organization's role as one of the nation's leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats\, senior intelligence officials\, policymakers\, military leaders\, scholars\, journalists\, and bestselling authors from around the world. Through WorldNow and The Forum\, he continues his commitment to fostering informed\, civil dialogue on the international\, political\, social\, and cultural issues shaping our world. \n  \n\nAbout the Book\n \nAll the Presidents' Wars: Twenty-Five Years of America's War on Terror by Peter Bergen \nFrom the New York Times best-selling author\, an eye-opening history of the United States’ war on terror across four presidential administrations.\n2026 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of 9/11\, the most devastating attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. Within days\, the United States began to declare its war on terror: “Either you are with us\, or you are with the terrorists\,” President George W. Bush proclaimed. The resulting war on terror cost trillions of dollars\, hundreds of thousands of lives\, a series of misguided wars\, and the damaged perception of American power. And yet despite its blunders\, this campaign has kept America safe from large-scale foreign attack. \nBased on hundreds of interviews\, All the Presidents’ Wars focuses on critical decisions of four successive presidents—Bush\, Obama\, Biden\, and Trump—and their global consequences. One of the few journalists to interview Osama bin Laden and have unparalleled access to the US intelligence community\, Peter Bergen covers the history that might have been avoided: the many terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups around the world; the rise of al-Qaeda in Iraq\, largely responsible for the Iraqi civil war in the mid-2000s; the birth of ISIS; the resurrection of Afghanistan’s Taliban; and Trump’s war with Iran. From the failure to capture and the eventual killing of Osama bin Laden to the disastrous rise of sectarian violence in the Middle East\, Bergen traces the profound ramifications of this epoch in American life. \nAll the Presidents’ Wars also explores the innovations and unintended consequences of each presidency’s military and political decisions\, including debates over military intervention and withdrawal; the tactics of special operations units\, armed drones\, and armies of counterterrorism partners; and whether the idea of war ever properly captured the defining conflict of recent American foreign policy. All the Presidents’ Wars is essential reading to understand America’s devastating war on terror and to avoid the mistakes of the past. \nPre-order a copy of All the Presidents’ Wars on Bookshop.org and support your local bookstore. \n  \n\nPresented by\nWorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut in partnership with Councils nationwide: \n \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. Learn more on our website about available opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. Council members gain exclusive\, lower-cost access to global events and travel opportunities\, while engaging with top international leaders. Join our community of global citizens and let us bring the world to you. \n\n\n\nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on global issues. The views expressed by speakers and contributors to this organization’s public programs—in person\, online\, and through affiliated social media sites— are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of CTWAC\, its individual staff\, board members\, members\, or sponsors. As a nonpartisan and nonpolitical organization\, CTWAC’s purpose is to foster informed discussion and greater understanding of the world\, without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/all-the-presidents-wars-worldnow/
LOCATION:Zoom Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ctwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/All-the-Presidents-Wars-Event-Graphic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261015T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261015T200000
DTSTAMP:20260824T132754Z
CREATED:20260804T210404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T132754Z
UID:10000429-1792090800-1792094400@ctwac.org
SUMMARY:Brink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7th Hostages with Brett McGurk | WorldNow
DESCRIPTION:Brett McGurk\, former White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa and author of Brink (available Oct. 6\, 2026)\, takes us inside the high-stakes negotiations to free the October 7 hostages and secure a ceasefire in Gaza. \nMcGurk led U.S. diplomacy on some of the region’s most consequential challenges\, offering a rare firsthand look at the negotiations and decisions that continue to shape the Middle East today. \nThe details:\nWhen: Thursday\, October 15 | 7:00pm-8:00pm EDT\nWhere: Zoom Webinar\nTickets: No charge\, RSVP Required \nTickets \n\n\n \n\nMeet the Guest\n \nBrett McGurk served as a top national security advisor under Presidents George W. Bush\, Barack Obama\, and Donald Trump. He has been involved in U.S. military strategy\, diplomacy\, and foreign policy for nearly two decades\, most recently as Obama and Trump’s envoy leading the campaign to defeat ISIS. He served as a law clerk to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist on the U.S. Supreme Court from 2001 to 2002\, and was at the Court on the morning of 9/11\, a day that changed history and his life. McGurk is currently the Payne Distinguished Lecturer at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute where he teaches and lectures on presidential decision-making in wartime. \nHe is the author of the forthcoming book Brink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7 Hostages\, available October 6th\, 2026.  \n\nMeet the Host\n\nJim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe\, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He is the host of WorldNow with Jim Falk and the producer and host of The Forum\, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM\, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org). A member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021\, helping expand the organization's role as one of the nation's leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats\, senior intelligence officials\, policymakers\, military leaders\, scholars\, journalists\, and bestselling authors from around the world. Through WorldNow and The Forum\, he continues his commitment to fostering informed\, civil dialogue on the international\, political\, social\, and cultural issues shaping our world. \n\nAbout the Book\n \nBrink: Inside the Race to Free the October 7th Hostages by Brett McGurk \nThe first major insider account of the high-stakes negotiations to free the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7—written in gripping detail by the American mediator who was in the room through it all.\nHaving served four American presidents on matters of war and peace\, Brett McGurk was no stranger to high-stakes diplomacy\, but this was different. With American citizens missing\, the hostages’ release critical to ending the war in Gaza\, and the desperate situation for civilians\, McGurk and his team faced impossible tradeoffs at every turn. Caught between Hamas’s maximalist demands and Israel’s determination that Hamas could not maintain power in Gaza\, McGurk and his colleagues worked relentlessly over fifteen months to get a deal that most increasingly thought impossible. \nTaking readers inside McGurk’s discussions and negotiations with President Joe Biden\, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman\, and presidents\, generals\, spies\, and diplomats in Qatar\, Egypt\, Oman\, and more\, Brink paints a portrait of a region one wrong choice away from tipping into total war\, as Iran and its proxy militias seized upon the chaos to open fire on Israeli and American targets. With the 2024 election reshaping the political landscape and time running out on the hostages\, McGurk found himself working hand in hand with an unlikely partner—Trump’s emissary from the New York real estate world\, Steve Witkoff. They forged a bipartisan front when it mattered most—to secure a ceasefire and save lives. \nA gripping account of diplomacy under fire\, Brink takes readers from the Oval Office to the seats of power in the Middle East and offers a remarkable look inside a crisis that reshaped the world\, the consequences of which are still unfolding today. \nPre-order a copy of Brink\, available October 6\, on Bookshop.org and support your local bookstore. \n\nPresented by\nWorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut in partnership with Councils nationwide: \n \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. Learn more on our website about available opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. Council members gain exclusive\, lower-cost access to global events and travel opportunities\, while engaging with top international leaders. Join our community of global citizens and let us bring the world to you. \n\n\n\nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on global issues. The views expressed by speakers and contributors to this organization’s public programs—in person\, online\, and through affiliated social media sites— are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of CTWAC\, its individual staff\, board members\, members\, or sponsors. As a nonpartisan and nonpolitical organization\, CTWAC’s purpose is to foster informed discussion and greater understanding of the world\, without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/brink-brett-mcgurk-worldnow/
LOCATION:Zoom Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ctwac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Brink-with-Brett-McGurk-Event-Graphics-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261203T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261203T130000
DTSTAMP:20260824T133447Z
CREATED:20260713T201104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T133447Z
UID:10000426-1796299200-1796302800@ctwac.org
SUMMARY:The World Ahead: 2027 | WorldNow
DESCRIPTION:Each year\, The Economist‘s The World Ahead series examines the forces expected to shape the year ahead. Covering politics\, technology\, society\, and beyond\, this series edited by Tom Standage offers an ambitious and wide-ranging look at what’s next. \nOn December 3\, Standage returns to WorldNow with Jim Falk to unpack his predictions for the trends that will define 2027. \nThe details:\nWhen: Thursday\, December 3 | 12:00PM – 1:00PM ET\nWhere: Zoom Webinar\nTickets: No charge\, RSVP Required \nReserve your spot today \n\n\n \n\nMeet the Guest\n \nTom Standage is deputy editor of The Economist and editor of its future-gazing annual\, “The World Ahead.” Standage directs the newspaper’s digital strategy and the development of new digital products and is the author of seven history books\, including Writing on the Wall (2013)\, The Victorian Internet (1998)\, and A History of the World in 6 Glasses (2005). He studied engineering and computing at Oxford University and has written for other publications including the New York Times\, Daily Telegraph\, The Guardian\, and Wired. \n  \n\nMeet the Host\n\nJim Falk is Vice Chairman of the Board of Global Santa Fe\, a member organization of the World Affairs Councils of America. He is the host of WorldNow with Jim Falk and the producer and host of The Forum\, the weekly public affairs program on KSFR-FM\, Santa Fe Community Radio (KSFR.org). \nA member of the Council on Foreign Relations\, Falk led the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth as President and CEO from 2001 to 2021\, helping expand the organization's role as one of the nation's leading forums for international affairs and public policy. His guests have included diplomats\, senior intelligence officials\, policymakers\, military leaders\, scholars\, journalists\, and bestselling authors from around the world. \nThrough WorldNow and The Forum\, he continues his commitment to fostering informed\, civil dialogue on the international\, political\, social\, and cultural issues shaping our world. \n\nPresented by\nWorldNow with Jim Falk is hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut and presented in partnership with Councils nationwide: \n \n\nMission Partners\n\nSupport global engagement in Connecticut by contacting CEO Megan Torrey about sponsorship opportunities. Learn more on our website about available opportunities. \n\nStay Globally Involved\nRenew your membership or become a member on our website. Council members gain exclusive\, lower-cost access to global events and travel opportunities\, while engaging with top international leaders. Join our community of global citizens and let us bring the world to you. \n\n\n\nThe World Affairs Council of Connecticut provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas on global issues. The views expressed by speakers and contributors to this organization’s public programs—in person\, online\, and through affiliated social media sites— are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the official policies or positions of CTWAC\, its individual staff\, board members\, members\, or sponsors. As a nonpartisan and nonpolitical organization\, CTWAC’s purpose is to foster informed discussion and greater understanding of the world\, without endorsing any particular viewpoint.
URL:https://ctwac.org/event/world-ahead-2027-worldnow/
LOCATION:Zoom Webinar
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