The Strategerist

Roya Rahmani is the first female ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States of America. We chatted with her about her childhood prior to Taliban rule, her optimism for Afghanistan's peaceful future, and how she is grateful to the United States for their engagement. 

• Read stories from remarkable Afghan women in We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope
• The Bush Institute WE Lead program equips women from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan with the skills to become more effective leaders.
• The Bush Institute Women's Initiative promotes education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for women around the world

We chatted with Congressman Will Hurd about immigration, the CIA, and why he decided to Facebook Live a 36 hour road trip with Democrat Beto O’Rourke.

 

• Learn how smart, skills-based immigration reform accelerates economic growth
• Read stories from immigrants and debunk common immigration myths at A Nation of Immigrants
• Read the Bush Institute's 2019 policy recommendations to modernize immigration for today 's realities

As personal aides to President George H.W. Bush, Tim McBride, and Tom Frechette spent long hours with — and came to personally know — our 41st president. They share behind-the-scenes stories from their time as presidential aides, illustrating the man they knew and that so many loved.

• Watch a special Engage at the Bush Center, presented by Highland Capital Management paying tribute to President George H.W. Bush’s life of service
• Listen to the Ladies, First podcast episode Service Above Self – The Leadership of Barbara Bush

In 2004, former Goldman Sachs executive Connie Duckworth founded ARZU Studio Hope, an organization empowering women in Afghanistan by providing them jobs, education, and healthcare. We chatted with Connie about her organization, the women of Afghanistan, and her remarkable 20-year business career. 

• Learn how the George W. Bush Institute is investing in women and girls
• Read stories from remarkable Afghan women in We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope
• The Bush Institute WE Lead program equips women from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan with the skills to become more effective leaders

Bill Browder is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s number one enemy. In 2005, Russian government officials committed and attempted to pin a $230 million fraud on Bill. His Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky uncovered the fraud, and ended up in jail, where he was tortured to death. We chatted with Bill about his campaign to expose Putin and Russian government officials for their corruption and human rights abuses.

The George W. Bush Institute advances freedom globally by developing leaders in emerging democracies, standing with those who still live under tyranny, and fostering U.S. leadership through policy and action.

Former Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza joined us to discuss trade and immigration with our southern neighbor. Having grown up along the Texas-Mexico border and the grandson of Mexican immigrants,  Ambassador Garza brought passion and knowledge to the in-depth discussion.

Learn more about trade and investment with Mexico and Canada increasing prosperity, growth, and job creation in the United States

Learn how smart, skills-based immigration reform accelerates economic growth

We sat down with award-winning journalist Cokie Roberts to chat about the transformation of Washington and journalism – for the better and for the worse. We also cover what studying the early women of American history can teach us, and how she ended up in Tanzania interviewing First Ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama on very little notice. 

Watch the interview with Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Obama

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros discusses what makes San Antonio special, how its welcoming culture can be a model for the nation, and why this generation will be better off than the last. He also shares a personal story about how and why he helped a Dreamer.

The George W. Bush Institute believes that immigrants play an important role in America's economy. Learn more by visiting www.bushcenter.org/immigration.  

 

As a young girl growing up in Afghanistan, Captain Niloofar Rahmani dreamed of finding her wings. Like all women under Taliban rule, she was forbidden from attending school, working, or showing her face in public. But her story is one of courage and strength, as she became the first female fighter pilot in the Afghan military after the fall of the Taliban in 2001.  Learn how the George W. Bush Institute is promoting education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for women around the world.

James Farmer is an expert conservationist, interior designer and best-selling author who is saving the world one plant at a time. We chat about robotic bees, the beauty of native plants, and life as a business owner. And he also throws in some gardening tips. 

Interested in hearing more from James? Check out a conversation on conservation conducted at the George W. Bush Center’s Forum on Leadership in April 2018. 

Interested in visiting the Bush Center’s Native Texas Park? The park is open from sunup to sundown 365 days a year, and pets are welcome.