World Affairs Council of Charleston

One of the world's foremost experts in demographic trends explores the changing nature, shape, size and movement of global populations, one of the vital questions of our time.

Recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea—launched by the Houthis in Yemen—are wreaking havoc on global trade. Drawing on his distinguished career with the State Dept., Al Thibault speaks about history, geography and geopolitical risk factors in a part of the world that has suddenly grabbed international attention.

Michael Miklaucic, the editor of the National Defense University journal PRISM, shares thoughts on current national and international security threats and what to do about them.

Christopher Day, professor of political science at the College of Charleston, a former relief worker with Doctors Without Border, and veteran observer of African politics, economy, and society offers his thoughts on this distinct and compelling region.

Rolf Mowatt-Larssen challenges us with his fasten your seatbelts presentation on the complex issue of intelligence in which he discusses spies, nukes, emerging science and technology, climate change and fake news.

Ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne served as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina and as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs under three Secretaries of State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Deputy Ambassador in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Wayne is presently Distinguished Diplomat in Residence at American University in Washington, DC, and holds senior positions at the Wilson Center, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the Atlantic Council. 

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope discusses what he considers China's two Achilles Heel issues--water and food.

A young woman arrested for taking off her hijab (mandatory head covering for woman) dies in police custody. The backlash, especially women, has rattled religious leaders. In addition, Iran is supplying drones to Moscow for the war in Ukraine. Iran's nuclear program is moving ahead. U.S. and western sanctions have crippled the economy. Is Iran's regime in trouble.

Charleston World affairs Council Program Chairman Al Thibault discusses challenges facing the No. 1 troublemaker in the Middle East. 

U. S. Institute of Peace analysts Brian Harding and Camilla Pohle-Anderson discuss Washington's concern over China's aggressive outreach into the Pacific Island region.

World Affairs Council of Charleston member and retired senior diplomat Al Thibault discusses the always volatile and ever-changing situation in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Retired senior US diplomat and World Affairs Council of Charleston member Jon Gundersen who has extensive experience working in Russia and Ukraine explains, updates, and offers 'indicators' to follow regarding the Russia/Ukraine war.

Brian Norris, Professor of Political Science at Lincoln University of Missouri, discusses his recent Fulbright Future Scholars Grant wherein over three years he will study rural development programs in Colombia and Mozambique. Dr. Norris will also discuss his recent visit to Colombia where he monitored the presidential election and reviewed the current economic situation in light of some two million Venezuelan refugees now in Colombia. 

Retired senior US diplomats, Ambassador William Courtney (Moscow, Kazakhstan, and Georgia), and Jon Gundersen  (Moscow, Ukraine, and Estonia) discuss the current Ukraine/Russia crisis--how it came about, where we stand now, and possible outcomes.

Christian Curriden, Rand Corp Defense Analyst discusses how North Korea has moved from Pariah State to a major challenge.  Are there any viable options other than crossed fingers and hopes for the best?   

Immigration professional Gil Jacobs discusses current immigration issues--Afghanistan and Haitian refugees--in the light of US policy, politics, and the inscription on the base of the Statue of Liberty. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore." 

Ambassador Christopher Goldthwait discusses  'lessons learned' during his Government career and how he is now 'applying' those lessons as an entrepreneur in the international private sector.

World Affairs Council of Charleston member George Pope offers a primer on cyber currencies--Bitcoin for Beginners. Pope provides a basic overview on What are Bitcoins? Why is everyone so excited? Why should I care? 

World Affairs Council of Charleston President George Pope discusses the emerging and frightening international issue of rare earth elements which are essential to virtually all electronic systems and devices, the emerging renewable energy sector, and most importantly, the US National Security industrial sector. And, as it turns out, the rare earth market is controlled by a country which is not a particular friend of the US.

Strategies for International Development (SID) Executive Director Charles Patterson and Program Director Judith Russo discuss SID's  innovative 'farmer to farmer' approach to economic development in Guatemala.

World Affairs Council of Charleston resident South Asia expert Al Thibault discusses the farmer revolt in India. Initial protests by rice and wheat growers from northern India have now spread across the country while the federal government refuses to repeal recently passed ‘agricultural reform’ laws which impact nearly 15% of India's $2.9 trillion economy and about half its workforce.