--Moderator, Ambassador William Luers, US Foreign Service (Retired), Director, The Iran Project

--Dr. Gary Sick, Senior Research Scholar, Columbia University’s Middle East Institute and Adjunct Professor at the School of International and Public Affairs

--Ellie Geranmayeh, Senior Policy Fellow and Deputy Program Head, Middle East and North Africa Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations

--Host, LCDR Patrick Ryan, USN (Retired), President, Tennessee World Affairs Council

This special edition of the TNWAC Global Dialogue: International Speakers series presents a conversation about current developments in relations with Iran. Ambassador Bill Luers will moderate a conversation with Professor Gary Sick of Columbia University and Ellie Geranmayeh of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Iran remains at the center of U.S. decision makers attention in the Middle East as Tehran grapples with the effects of Washington’s “Maximum Pressure” campaign and the catastrophic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile Tehran continues its “Maximum Resistance” response through maritime provocations, space vehicle (potential ICBM) launches and backing Iraqi militias that are in conflict with U.S. forces.

This Tennessee World Affairs Council Webinar is part of the “CxC Amplified: Ideas Summit – Putting the World Back Together Again” — a weeklong series of virtual events organized by the 90+ councils of the World Affairs Councils of America.

This episode of the "Global Dialogue: International Speakers Program" organized by the Tennessee World Affairs Council (TNWAC.org) featured Jeremy Goldkorn and John Scannapieco with host Patrick Ryan (TNWAC President).

This superb discussion of the current tension in the Sino-American relationship focused on the consequences of the Covid-19 virus spread, the commercial ties and the national security issues that have shaped Beijing's and Washington's "lobbing of hand grenades" back and forth. Excellent background, context and analysis of the situation.

GOLDKORN

Jeremy Goldkorn is editor-in-chief of SupChina.com, and co-host of the Sinica Podcast. He moved to China in 1995 and became managing editor of Beijing’s first independent English-language entertainment magazine. In 2003, he founded the website and research firm, Danwei, which tracked Chinese media, markets, politics and business. It was acquired in 2013 by the Financial Times. While in China, Jeremy published and edited several magazines, books, and websites. He also lived in a workers dormitory, and produced a documentary film about African soccer players in Beijing.

SCANNAPIECO

John M. Scannapieco is a shareholder in the Nashville office of Baker Donelson and is a co-leader of the Firm’s Global Business Team. John provides strategic guidance and counsel to businesses and individuals regarding their existing global operations or to those contemplating global expansion. He also advises companies that are contemplating pursuing a China strategy, as well as those companies that are currently doing business in China or with China-based businesses. John assists U.S. manufacturing companies with their activities overseas and foreign companies desiring to expand operations to the United States. He is a board member of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s International Business Council and a member of the board of the Japan American Society of Tennessee. He has been recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers in International Law. Around town, John, has been chair of the Community Resource Center – a key element of Nashville’s Super Tuesday tornado relief and the supply line to the front lines of poverty. John also serves on the board of Sister Cities of Nashville, and more. Last note, John is the Honorary Consul of the United Kingdom to the State of Tennessee.

Amb Dick Bowers and Pat Ryan host a weekly review of current global events with commentary and assessments on hot topics in the news. This week we welcome Dr. Marieta Velikova as a guest host.

May 5, 2020 - This week's topics:

1 – Covid Update

2 – Covid and Its Impact on the Economy

3 – China – Strategic Friction

4 – China – Economic Implications

5 – Iran – Maximum Pressure meets Maximum Resistance

Dr. Marieta Velikova, Associate Professor of Economics, Belmont University

Dr. Marieta V. Velikova received her undergraduate degree from the People's Friendship University of Russia. Her M.A. in Financial Economics and Ph.D. in Applied Economics were both earned at Mississippi State University, where she worked as a research assistant, academic tutor, and instructor of economics. She teaches graduate and undergraduate economics and international business courses in Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey College of Business Administration, where she has advised members of ENACTUS, and has been involved in the creation of the IB Society - an organization for students interested in international studies. Dr. Velikova has led numerous travel-study trips to Turkey, Japan, Guatemala, Cuba, London, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Her research interests include macroeconomics and monetary economics; energy and natural gas industry, however, her primary area of specialization at Belmont has been pedagogical research. [more at Belmont.edu]

LCDR Patrick Ryan, President Tennessee World Affairs Council

Patrick Ryan is a native of New York City. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and volunteered for submarine duty. He served aboard nuclear fast attack and ballistic missile boats during the Cold War, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. In 1982 he was commissioned and served aboard a cruiser in the Western Pacific before becoming a Navy Intelligence Officer. Ryan served aboard the carrier Constellation in the Pacific, the Joint Staff Intelligence Directorate in the Pentagon, the Center for Naval Analysis, and the Intelligence Directorate of U.S. Central Command. Ryan retired from the Navy in 1998 and worked as a consultant on Intelligence Community projects and as the VP/COO of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Ryan ran a newsletter publishing business on international affairs from 1999-2016. He founded the Tennessee World Affairs Council in 2007.

This episode of former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean's conversations with community leaders featured Sean Henry, Nashville Predators President and CEO, with co-host Pat Ryan, TNWAC President. Karl asked Sean about his background and the experiences he has brought to the Predators organization. They talked about the situation for the Predators and Bridgestone arena as a result of the pandemic and shutdown of in-person events; prospects for returning to operations; and what the organization is doing during the pandemic. They talked about the "new normal" we can expect after the pandemic. Karl asked about the international dimension of the Predators and players' experiences and outlooks about Nashville especially all of the foreign-born athletes. Sean described the locker room "melting pot" of international backgrounds of the team and the attention accorded Nashville through media in a variety of global markets. They concluded by asking Sean about the prospects for NHL games in Europe and the 20/21 season plans for the Predators to play in Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

The pandemic crisis has created a “stay at home” reality for students, teleworkers and others. The “Global Engagement” video webinar will offer a week-day, weekly or bi-weekly opportunity to talk about current international events with co-hosts Ambassador Charles Bowers and TNWAC President LCDR Patrick Ryan (USN,Ret). They will run down the week’s current global events and invite your questions and comments during the live webinar. You can participate in future programs via interactive Webinars -- see TNWAC.org. You can support the TNWAC global affairs awareness programs like this one through membership, donation or sponsorship. Visit TNWAC.org for details.

This week in the world:

1 - Covid-19 – What’s going on around the world?

2 – North Korea – Leadership Questions

3 - Israel – pending annexation of parts of the West Bank

4 – China – Wolf Warriors – Aggressive foreign policy

5 – Covid and Art – how staying at home inspires creativity

Your Hosts

Ambassador Charles Bowers (U.S. Foreign Service (Retired))

Charles Richard (Dick) Bowers served as the US Ambassador to Bolivia from 1991 through 1994. During that time, the American Embassy in Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, was the largest and most complex U.S. embassy in South America. Ambassador Bowers grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, attended the University of California, Berkeley. He entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1967. From 1961 to 1964 he served in the U.S. Army as a Russian linguist in West Berlin at the height of the Cold War. As a career member of the U.S. diplomatic corps, Ambassador Bowers served in the U.S. Embassies in Panama, Poland, Singapore, Germany and Bolivia. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1995. Amb Bowers has been a Board Member of the Tennessee World Affairs Council since 2012.

More info here.

LCDR Patrick Ryan, USN(Ret) (President,Tennessee World Affairs Council)

Patrick Ryan is a native of New York City. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and volunteered for submarine duty. He served aboard nuclear fast attack and ballistic missile boats during the Cold War, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. In 1982 he was commissioned and served aboard a cruiser in the Western Pacific before becoming a Navy Intelligence Officer. Ryan served aboard the carrier Constellation in the Pacific, the Joint Staff Intelligence Directorate in the Pentagon, the Center for Naval Analysis, and the Intelligence Directorate of U.S. Central Command. Ryan retired from the Navy in 1998 and worked as a consultant on Intelligence Community projects and as the VP/COO of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Ryan ran a newsletter publishing business on international affairs from 1999-2016. He founded the Tennessee World Affairs Council in 2007.

NASHVILLE, APRIL 21: The pandemic crisis has created a “stay at home” reality for students, teleworkers and others. The “Global Engagement” video webinar will offer a week-day, weekly or bi-weekly opportunity to talk about current international events with co-hosts Ambassador Charles Bowers and TNWAC President LCDR Patrick Ryan (USN,Ret). They will run down the week’s current global events and invite your questions and comments during the live webinar. You can participate in future programs via interactive Webinars -- see TNWAC.org. You can support the TNWAC global affairs awareness programs like this one through membership, donation or sponsorship. Visit TNWAC.org for details.

This week in the world:

1 - Covid-19 – What’s going on around the world? (China – US relations getting rockier)

2 – Earth Day/Climate Crisis – looming existential threat off the radar

3 – North Korea – Dear Leader get well card

4 – Immigration Ban

5 – Ramadan – start of the holy month

Subscribe to TNWAC newsletters at the web site (TNWAC.org) and check the site calendar to be kept up to date on “Global Engagement” program schedules.

NASHVILLE, APRIL 21: The Middle East is still there and the Covid-19 pandemic has not made any of the troubles there any better. Let's have a dialogue.

Join us for a tour d'horizon of this important region where Americans serve in harm's way with David DesRoches, retired US Army Colonel and Professor at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University.

We're pleased to present internationally recognized expert David Des Roches. He is a regular commentator on Voice of America, Sky News, Arabia, France 24, Al Jazeera, Turkish Radio-Television and Al Araby; he is an authority quoted in The New York Times and Washington Post. You won't find anyone more conversant in the Middle East region, a part of the world where American interests continue to be challenged, a part of the world where thousands of men and women in our armed forces are in harm's way every day. Our Zoom Webinar included a briefing by Colonel Des Roches and your questions.

Registration for our Webinar events is free but we ask you to consider making a donation to offset our unanticipated expenses to create video-based programming, and to become a member of the World Affairs Council. www.TNWAC.org. Thanks!

Global Engagement

World News: Review and Commentary

With Ambassador Dick Bowers and LCDR Pat Ryan

Video: https://youtu.be/3pv6r5YV3iU

April 14, 2020

In this episode Dick and Pat review these topics in the news:

1 - Covid-19 – What’s going on around the world?

2 – U.S. Role in International Organizations

3 - Iraq – What’s going on in the politics of this pivotal Middle East country

4 - USS Theodore Roosevelt and Covid, what are the national security implications

5 - Global Economy and Environment – can we have both economic recovery and compliance with the Paris Accord?

We invite you to listen to this Webinar and join us for future editions of "Global Engagement" and other TNWAC video and Podcast programs -- check TNWAC.org for Webinar schedules.

We invite our community business friends to sponsor this and other TNWAC video programs. Contact [email protected] for details.

Runtime: 56:31

LINKS

1 – COVID UPDATE

Religious Bigotry in India

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/world/asia/india-coronavirus-muslims-bigotry.html

China Medical Supply Chains and Broader Trade Issues - Congressional Research Service

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46304?fbclid=IwAR0VK6CPcJ6GzFuUL7Yw-Szjrlmt4psS4YAsOkds9WrLFbJXDq1s_yO3iJM

2 – U.S. ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The U.S. Role in International Organizations’ Response to COVID-19 – US State Department

https://www.state.gov/the-u-s-role-in-international-organizations-response-to-covid-19/

3 -- IRAQ – WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE POLITICS

Intel: US signals support for Iraq’s latest prime minister-designate

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/04/intel-us-signal-support-iraq-prime-minister-kadhimi.html#ixzz6JbGL604y

4 -- USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND COVID, WHAT ARE THE NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS

Michael O’Hanlon – “Why Crozier was Correct” Brookings

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/04/07/why-crozier-was-correct/

5 -- GLOBAL ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT – CAN WE HAVE BOTH ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE PARIS ACCORD?

Japan Minister: Paris Accord under threat if coronavirus trumps climate change

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-japan/japan-minister-paris-accord-under-threat-if-coronavirus-trumps-climate-change-idUSKCN21V13T

In this episode Karl Dean, former Nashville Mayor, talks with Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Ralph Schulz about the business environment in Nashville during this time of pandemic.

We invite you to listen to this Webinar and join us for future editions of "Global Nashville with Karl Dean" -- check TNWAC.org for Webinar schedules.

April 14, 2020

Runtime: 31:58

00:01 Welcome / Introduction -- Invitation to friends in the business community to sponsor “Global Nashville with Karl Dean.” Contact [email protected]

02:30 Prior to pandemic how was business in Nashville?

03:36 How has the business community been affected by the pandemic?

05:35 What role has the Nashville Chamber had dealing with these circumstances?

07:04 Is hospitality the hardest hit sector in the pandemic?

08:10 Healthcare sector impact.

08:46 Tell us about business expansions and relocations.

09:18 Interest on the part of global tech in Nashville.

09:30 How is the Federal response, money flow from Washington?

09:59 PPP and other programs have been life preservers for some businesses.

10:33 What connections have you had with other chambers? Best practices?

11:02 Today’s chambers’ call – interesting range of cities, where they are in the pandemic.

11:55 People are working toward the ‘things’ that will help companies come back.

12:13 Businesses most interested in their plan going forward, adaptation to the current situation is done. How fast can we get back to being fully productive?

12:48 Hot topic is reopening, getting back to “normal.” How will that play out?

13:29 Some sort of “phasing” will be necessary to return to “normal.”

14:30 Education is a major focus of the Chamber; how do you see school situation?

16:09 Global economy and Nashville: what has the Chamber’s approach been?

18:15 How has the pandemic impacted the global economic sector?

18:42 Nashville’s “calling card” is how it responds to adversity.

19:18 Alliance Bernstein an example of business approach to Nashville culture.

19:48 Like coming out of the flood and recession Nashville will demonstrate how to bounce back.

20:15 Optimism makes Nashville a special place.

20:40 Is the pandemic the biggest challenge you’ve faced at the Chamber?

21:08 The recovery from the flood was “no small task” either.

21:50 Hopefully we can be helpful and supportive of businesses and the public sector.

22:20 More “unknowns” and “uncertainty” in the pandemic recovery – vast array of problems.

23:10 Unknowns are compounded by progression of the virus. Scary in some ways, energizing in some other ways. Confronting issue out of necessity.

23:59 Entrepreneurship. Nashville has benefited greatly. How do you keep that spirit of optimism in entrepreneurship going?

24:46 Entrepreneurs in Nashville are drawn to the next big challenge.

25:00 24% of economy in the region is driven by entrepreneurship.

25:33 Key for Nashville is to be a community to attract and retain creative people.

25:55 New enterprises will come out of the crisis because entrepreneurs are here.

26:20 Do you see a role for the Chamber in support to small businesses.

26:42 Small businesses are the largest and most fragile part of the economy under these circumstances.

27:22 Nashville has the ability to adapt, but small businesses have a tough outlook, but Nashville small business owners usually find a way when others don’t

27:49 What about Metro’s response?

28:53 City has a lot to proud of.

29:13 Proud of Chamber’s staff. Adjusting to new circumstances. Delivering value.

29:57 Last thoughts? Nashville is “well positioned to exceed expectations” coming out of this crisis. You, Mayor Dean, were personally a big part of establishing that personality for Nashville that has led to our momentum. A lot of faith in Nashville and its people.

30:50 Nashville’s best days are ahead.

31:07 Invitation to friends in the business community to sponsor “Global Nashville with Karl Dean.” Contact [email protected]

“Global Engagement”

A Review of News and Issues in World Affairs

Presented by the “Global Tennessee” project of the Tennessee World Affairs Council [www.TNWAC.org]

April 7, 2020

With

Amb Charles Bowers, USFS(Ret)

LCDR Patrick Ryan, USN(Ret)

This week in the news:

1 - Covid-19 Update

2 – United Kingdom

3 - US-Iran Developments

4 - Global Governance and Democracy

5 - Afghanistan and America’s Longest War

Welcome to Global Engagement. This is a World Affairs Council global affairs awareness project that connects you with current events. We’re starting this during the “stay at home” period of the pandemic response especially as students are working from home and can find this conversation useful in knowing the world.

Each week we’ll share five important topics from the news and provide background, context and analysis. And we’ll get you involved through the Webinar’s interactive features.

Global Engagement will be broadcast live every Tuesday at 2pm Central Time as a Webinar on Zoom where you can participate with your questions and comments. The series will be archived by video on the Tennessee World Affairs Council’s Youtube Channel and by audio on our “Global Tennessee” Podcast. You can find links to all of the episodes on our web site, TNWAC.org.

Timeline

00:30 Introduction. Ryan

02:01 Discussing TNWAC pivot to Webinars. “Going Zoom.” Bowers

04:50 Discussing TNWAC Educational Outreach Program: WorldQuest, Tennessee Global Scholar Certificate Program, “What in the World?” Weekly Quiz. Ryan

07:52

On to the news

Japan – Olympics/Paralympics postponed

Emergency conditions in some cities

What are you doing in response to Covid?

15:45

Italy – European epicenter

Infections “plateau”

European Union not much of a union

Universal healthcare responds to pandemic

20:15

What’s going on in Russia?

What about China? POTUS dropped “China Virus” talk

Which countries are doing well against Covid?

22:39

Stay Calm and Carry On – What about the UK?

Queen Elizabeth talks to her nation

PM Boris Johnson, an early Covid-denier, infected, in ICU

Who’s going to pick the crops? Migrant issues.

25:40

New leader of the UK Labor Party

“Competence vs Charisma”

Who’s in charge?

28:20

Iran and the pandemic

Distinguished leaders sign statement favoring easing limitations on medical supplies to Iran during pandemic

Holy city of Qom epicenter of Covid infections

33:40

Reliability of data. How many actual infections?

35:46

Iran-backed militias in Iraq

Trump will “go up the food chain” if more attacks on US forces

Time for a humanitarian gesture to lessen tension?

Tough sell

38:27

Global Governance and Democracy

“You are living in historic times”

Now in a fight to save our democracy… and how our way of life will be.

Side note: take a look at think-tank newsletters and reports, good content in their studies and reports. e.g. CFR, CSIS, Carnegie Endowment

Carnegie Report: “How will the Coronavirus Reshape Democracy and Governance Globally”

Concern about breakdowns, civil wars, riots as people become desperate

Bottom up pressure, top down pressure

Pandemic as cover to seize power

Viktor Orban in Hungary – indefinite rule by decree. End of checks/balances.

46:50

Brazil – Bolsonaro another Covid-denier

Any countries remain without Covid?

48:40

Afghanistan Endgame

Who are the Taliban?

9/11 terrorist safe haven

America’s longest war

Afghan government – two heads?

US-Taliban agreement. Government not onboard.

53:05

Dick’s Book Picks

“Prisoners of Geography” by Tim Marshall

Pat’s Book Pick

“A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide“ by Samantha Power

55:40

Calendar of TNWAC video broadcasts

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