Past Events |
A 'Conversation' with a Former Soviet KGB Sleeper Agent March 7th, 2019 On March 7th, 2019, ACIR was honored to host Former KGB Sleeper Agent Jack Barsky in Atlanta. Barsky spoke on the topic, "A 'Conversation' with a Former Soviet KGB Sleeper Agent." Jack Barsky spoke about how American life led to the conversion of his Marxist-Leninist atheist ideologies, and turned him against his former paymasters. He shared with the audience his perspectives and insights about recent American presidents, the American system, its most cherished documents, and America’s deadliest threat in 2019. Click here to view photos of the event Estonia, Russia, and the United States February 28th, 2019 On February 28th, 2019, ACIR was honored to host Estonian Ambassador Jonatan Vseviov who spoke on the topic, "Estonia, Russia, and the United States." The Ambassador of Estonia gave an enticing overview of Estonian history and explained the origins of their current policies. Ambassador Vseviov emphasized Estonia's reliance on international alliances and cybersecurity. He assured the audience that Estonia's future policies will revolve around supporting its allies and NATO overall. Click here to view photos of the event An "Off the Record" Conversation with UK Consul General Andrew Staunton February 27th, 2019 On February 27th, 2019, ACIR was honored to host UK Consul General Andrew Staunton for an "Off the Record" breakfast. With Brexit looming and the the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership coming to an end, UK Consul General Andrew Staunton was able to connect with our members to explain to them his perspective on the issues. This program offering by the ACIR is designed to bring members and non-members alike into a more intimate setting with Atlanta's resident Consul Generals where relationships can be made and strengthened for mutual benefit. Six Years in a North Vietnam Prison Camp February 7, 2019 On February 7th, 2019, ACIR was honored to host Col (USAF. Ret.) John W. Clark, former RF-4 pilot and Vietnam War prisoner, who spoke on the topic, "Six Years in a North Vietnam Prison Camp." Nearly 600 American servicemen struggled as Prisoners of War in North Vietnam. One of them was Colonel John Clark. He gracefully spoke about how courage, determination, faith, and honor helped them survive. A riveting story-teller, Colonel John Clark kept the audience on the edge of their seats as they intently listened to his detailed stories illustrating the horrors that war entails. He was able to deliver a speech with paramount importance while also bringing laughter and light to the situation–a task difficult for most to execute. Click here to view photos of the event U.S.-Indian Relations Featuring the New Indian Ambassador to the U.S. January 30, 2019 On January 30th, 2019, ACIR was honored to host the new Indian Ambassador to the United States, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who spoke on the topic, "U.S.-Indian Relations." Ambassador Shringla spoke about the current and future bilateral relationship between India and the United States. With 1.3 billion people, India is the ninth largest goods trade partner with the U.S. with room to expand that relationship. The new Ambassador highlighted the importance of continued cooperation between the U.S. and India. He also emphasized his continued consideration of the ever-growing Indian population in the U.S. With distinguished guests such as Ambassador Andrew Young and Consul General of India Dr. Swati Kulkarni, the members and special guests engaged in a compelling discussion about U.S.-Indian relations. Click here to view photos of the event The U.S. and the Middle East: Policies Amidst a Fragmenting Region January 23, 2019 On January 23, 2019, ACIR was honored to host Dr. Kenneth Stein, Director of Emory University's Middle East Research Program, who spoke on the topic, "The U.S. and the Middle East: Policies Amidst a Fragmenting Region." Since the “Arab Spring” the Middle East has been in political turmoil. Among other things, we have seen a rise sectarian and tribal formations, as well a resurgence of Iranian efforts to influence events in the region. For Israel, such changes pose a significant challenge. In the absence of an evident path to stability and security in the region, the recent decision of the United States to end its military commitment in Syria, further limit its military commitments in Afghanistan, and the resultant perceived U.S. declining interest in the region, Israel is increasingly looking to work with others in the region to enhance its security. Professor Kenneth Stein addressed the policy issues confronting the United States and the region as they attempt to deal with the increasing fragmentation and political turmoil in the Middle East. Click here to view photos of the event North Korea and the Future of Security on the Korean Peninsula January 11, 2019 On January 11, 2019, the Atlanta Council on International Relations proudly hosted Lieutenant General In-Bum Chun who spoke on the topic "North Korea and the Future of Security on the Korean Peninsula." General Chun had much to say about North Korea's "Supreme Leader," Kim Jong Un, and his nuclear ambitions. Is Kim stalling and buying time with the current American and South Korean administrations while he continues his march toward completion of a nuclear tipped missile? General Chun's review of past European and American administrations as well as the current one was proven to be a most interesting one. General Chun is the first South Korean officer since the Vietnam War to be awarded the U.S. Bronze Star, and in 2016, he received the U.S. Special Operations Command Medal. General Chun left no misunderstandings about his positions regarding threats on the Korean Peninsula and what realistic options face the United States and South Korea. Click here to view photos of the event French Consul General Louis de Corail On December 14, 2018, the Atlanta Council on International together with the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs were honored to present French Consul General Louis de Corail for an "Off-the-Record" breakfast. Mr. de Corail took over as Consul General of France in Atlanta on August 15, 2016. He began his career within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development in 1990 after two years of national and civil service as an international volunteer in Monrovia, Liberia. De Corail previously held various positions including Secretary and Counselor at the French embassies in Suva (1990 to 1993), Zagreb (1999 to 2002), Dublin (2005 to 2008), and Oslo (2008 to 2012). He also served as Press Counselor in Ottawa. At the Central Headquarters in Paris, he worked in Protocol (1993 to 1996) as well as in the Office of European Cooperation (1999 to 2002). From 2012 to 2016, he was seconded to the City Hall of Bordeaux as the Director of International Relations. This program offering by the ACIR is designed to bring members and non-members alike into a more intimate setting with Atlanta's resident Consul Generals where relationships can be made and strengthened for mutual benefit. Click here to view photos of the event |
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Dr. Mariel Borowitz ACIR was honored to host Dr. Mariel Borowitz who spoke on the topic "U.S. Space Policy and National Security." At present the United States is reliant on Russian rocket engines to launch our reconnaissance satellites. Not only does this reliance have direct implications for our national security launch capabilities, it also means we are funding Russian space and missile technology, while we could be investing in U.S.-based jobs and the defense industrial base. The U.S. needs an innovate, resilient, and economical way to assure space access, particularly for military and government launch programs. The National Defense Strategy Commission reported that our military superiority has "eroded to a dangerous degree"; and could suffer “unacceptably high casualties and loss of major capital assets in its next conflict". It says, “it might struggle to win, or perhaps lose, a war against China or Russia.” Dr. Borowitz recently returned to the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology after serving a one-year detail at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Her research deals with international space policy issues, primarily international cooperation in Earth observing satellites, and satellite data sharing policies. She also looks at international trends in commercial remote sensing and civil-military interactions in remote sensing technology and data. Her research interests extend to human space exploration strategy and developments in space security and space situational awareness. Click here to view photos of the event |
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Canadian Consul General NADIA THEODORE ACIR was honored to host Canadian Consul General Nadia Theodore for an "Off-the-Record" breakfast. Mrs. Theodore has made her career in the Trade Agreement and Negotiations Branch of Global Affairs, holding leadership positions in several recent and major trade initiatives of Global Affairs Canada. Most recently, she served in Ottawa as Chief of Staff and Executive Director to Canada's Deputy Prime Minister for International Trade. She was named Consul General for the U.S. Southeast in August 2017. With over 10 years of trade policy experience, Mrs. Theodore's appointment comes as Canada, Mexico, and the United States have launched negotiations to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As part of Canada's international trade negotiating team, she has built a reputation for forging strong partnerships with government and business leaders and managing complex, priority trade initiatives. Beyond trade negotiations, she helped Canada's Trade and Investment Strategy, which is focused on ways to continue to help Canadian companies connect, compete and grow internationally. Click here to view photos of the event |
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GENERAL PHIL BREEDLOVE ACIR was honored to host retired General Phil Breedlove who spoke on the topic, "21st Century Warfare."It can be said that modern warfare differs from what many of us observed in the 20th Century.Technological developments have made for more rapid, efficient, and effective communication on the battlefield. The global media, the Internet, and social media often add instantly to our awareness of conflicts around the globe. Drones, operated far from the battlefield, are replacing aircraft as a means of reconnaissance and attack. While precision weaponry, arguably, has reduced collateral damage and non-combatant deaths, the battlefield itself has become less opaque and thus a more deadly place. General Breedlove joined the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Tech Institute of Technology after retiring as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and the U.S. European Command Commander. In these capacities he commanded all U.S. and Allied troops in Afghanistan, Kosovo as well as all NATO operations across Europe and the Mediterranean. As a Distinguished Professor, a title he shared with Sam Nunn, he works with faculty, staff and students on security issues and policy. Further, he facilitates a number of projects, classes and presentations to advance these same thoughts. General Breedlove brings a wealth of deep and recent experience in our world's toughest security and policy issues as well as leadership in situations spanning both peace and conflict. Click here to view photos of the event |
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Ms. PERI LYNNE JOHNSON ACIR was honored to host Ambassador Ms. Peri Lynne Johnson, Legal Advisor and Director of the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs, who spoke on the topic, "Nuclear Safeguards and Nuclear Security: Keeping the Genie in the Bootle." Headquartered in Vienna, Austria and establish in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. Though establishing independently of the United National through its own international treaty, the IAEA report to both the General Assembly and the Security Council. During her address, Ms. Johnson spoke about the complexities IEAE confronts and its major concerns as it attempts to ensure and enhance nuclear safety and security. Click here to view photos of the event
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U.S. Ambassador CHARLES SHAPIRO ACIR was honored to host Ambassador Charles Shapiro, President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela, who spoke on the topic, "Venezuela: From Bad to Worse." Nowadays, Venezuela is in political turmoil. Its economy has collapsed and four million Venezuelans have fled the country in the past two years. As Venezuela goes from bad to worse, the question is what will the international democratic community do to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and hasten the return of democracy? U.S Ambassador Charles Shapiro discussed Venezuela's recent past and probable future as it affects U.S. policy toward Venezuela and the broader Latin American region. Click here to view photos of the event |
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U.N. Under Secretary-General, Ms. IZUMI NAKAMITSU Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu assumed her position as Undersecretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs on 1 May 2017. Prior to taking on this post, Ms. Nakamitsu served as the Assistant Administrator of the Crisis Response Unit at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 2014. Click here to view photos of the event |
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Dr. MONA TAJALI Her current book project focuses on the intersections of political and institutional structures, religious and cultural norms and values, and votes behavior concerning women's political representation and the quality of democracy in Muslim contexts. Click here to view photos of the event |
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"Off-the-Record" Javier Diaz de Leon is a member of the Mexican Foreign Service and holds the rank of Ambassador since April 28th, 2017. During his professional career he has served as: Deputy Consul General in San Diego; Deputy Consul General in New York, Head of the Office for Migration and Hispanic Affairs at the Mexicans Abroad at the Mexican Embassy in the United States and Executive Director of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On May 2016, he was appointed by President Enrique Peña Nieto as Consul General of Mexico in Atlanta, Georgia, where he is serving in this positinon since June 18, 2016. Click here to view photos of the event |
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U.S. Senator JOHNNY ISAKSON |
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MAJOR GENERAL USA RET MARI K. EDER |
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Co-sponsored with Center for European and Transatlantic Studies |
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PETER SWIRE |
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ALAN ELSNER |
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SUNNY PARK Click here to view photos of the event
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Dr. POLINA SINOVETS |
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Her Excellency NADIA THEODORE |
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Professor Emeritus, Dr. JOHN GARVER |
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Her Excellency JUDITH VARNAI SHORER
Ambassador Varnai Shorer is a nearly 40-year veteran of the Israeli diplomatic corps. She is a former ambassador to both Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as a former minister of congressional affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. Her most recent post was desk director at the Center for Policy Research. Ambassador Shorer has substantial experience in the U.S. and the Middle East. She speaks Hebrew, French, English and Hungarian and was born in Beer Sheva, Israel.
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His Excellency GERONIMO GUTIERREZ FERNANDEZ
His Excellency Gerónimo Gutiérrez has been Ambassador of Mexico to the United States since March 2017. Ambassador Gutiérrez served as Managing Director of the North American Development Bank (NADB) headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Under his leadership—centered on strategic planning, business development and project management—NADB grew its loan portfolio at an average annual rate of 32%, reaching US$1.4 billion in 2016, and placed several successful bond issues in the U.S. and European markets, while maintaining a strong financial position and AA credit ratings.
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