January 11, 2009

“Pakistan: The Most Dangerous Country”

Bruce Riedel
Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institution

An expert on the Middle East for more than 30 years, Mr.Riedel joined Brookings in 2006. Prior to that he had a long and distinguished career with the CIA, the National Security Council and both the State and Defense Departments, with an expertise in both the Middle east and South Asia. He is the recipient of the Secretary of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, and the State Department Meritorious Honor Award. He has degrees from both Brown and Harvard Universities and has been widely quoted in major news media on recent developments in Pakistan

February 15 , 2009

“Global Geopolitics”

Dr. George Friedman
Chief Executive Officer, Stratfor

Dr. Friedman is the founder and CEO of Stratfor, started in 1996 and now a leader in the field of private intelligence. He is the author of numerous articles and books on national security, warfare and intelligence. His most recent book is "America's Secret War"  which was named a  Barron's Best Book of 1994. Another book is scheduled to come out in 2009. Dr. Friedman has been featured in Time, the Wall Street Journal, the NY Times Magazine and many other publications. He has also been the keynote speaker at a number of major conferences. He received a Bachelor's Degree from the City University of New York and a Ph.D. in government from Cornell.

March 8, 2009

“The Islamic World Threat”

Steven Emerson
Executive Director, The Executive Project on Terrorism

An internationally recognized expert on terrorism and national security and a best-selling author, Mr. Emerson is the founder and Executive Director of the Investigative Project on Terrorism. Since 9/11, he has testified before Congress dozens of times on key issues involving the most dangerous terrorist organizations and the wider Islamic militant threat. He has received numerous journalism awards including the top prize from the Investigative Reporters and Editors Organization for best investigative report. His award winning documentary film, "Jihad in America", was featured on "60 Minutes" and has become standard viewing for federal law enforcement and intelligence organizations.

April 19, 2009

“The New Challenges in the Middle East”

Jacob Dayan
Israeli Consul General in Los Angeles

Jacob Dayan assumed the position of Consul General of Israel in Oct., 2007. He is Israel's Senior Representative in the Southwestern U.S.  Prior to this position he had been chosen by the Israeli Government to prepare a strategic plan on the feasibility of opening negotiations with Syria. He has served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and former Foreign Minister Shalom. He has also served in Washington as Political Counselor at the Israeli Embassy and held other important diplomatic posts. He graduated Magna cum Laude from Tel Aviv University.

May 10, 2009

"The Resurgence of Russia"

Dr. F. Stephen Larrabee

F. Stephen Larrabee holds the Corporate Chair in European Security
at the RAND Corporation. From 1978 to 1981, he was responsible for S
oviet and Eastern European affairs on the staff of the National Security Council.

2009/2010 EVENING SERIES

Venue: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Indian Wells, CA

October 25, 2009
Germany and NATO Panel

German Consul General Wolfgang Drautz
Morris Beschloss Columnist and Commentator

Dr. Kamal Ali Beyoghlow, Professor of International Relations,
The National Defense University

Moderator: Professor Penny Jenison Rivin

Dr. Beyoghlow’s extensive knowledge of Turkey’s status in the world has been augmented by recent visits there. Currently an advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Beyoghlow is researching the evolution of Al Qaeda and its impact on the state system in the Arab and Muslim world. Beyoghlow has served as the U.S. National War College’s Resident Scholar on the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Islamic studies and grand strategy. While at the College, he was Academic Chair and Professor of Terrorism and Counter Terrorism. He is also currently a professor at both George Washington University and American University. Beyoghlow earned his MA from Tufts University and a Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley.

December 13, 2009
Meeting the Potential Challenges of Iran

Christopher Preble, Director of Foreign Policy Studies,
Cato Institute, Washington D. C.

The question of how to deal with Iran and its nuclear plans is now probably the hottest topic in world affairs.  How can we block Iran’s drive toward nuclear weapons and help protect Israel without creating war in the Middle East?  Is there a possibility that we can connect with the pro-democratic youth in the country?  In his role at the Cato Institute, one of the nation’s leading think tanks, Christopher Preble has specialized in both Iran and Iraq. He has also spoken about these countries to a number of WAC audiences around the nation. In addition to several books, Preble has written more than 100 articles, which have appeared in such influential publications as The Wall Street Journal, the Foreign Service Journal and the Harvard International Review.

Dr. Nicholas Lardy, Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for
International Economics, Washington, D. C.

China may be taking over as the world economic leader.  What will this mean to the future of the US?  Prior to serving as Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, D.C., Dr. Lardy was the Director of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. He has also taught at Yale University and held a senior position at the Brookings Institution. His numerous books on China have explored that nation’s rapidly growing role in the world’s economy. Lardy received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan.