World Affairs Conversations

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope recently attended the subject conference in Washington DC. Herein is his "trip report."

Ambassador Kenneth Yalowitz discusses the Arctic, where due to climate change, the ice cap melts year by year. The result: new shipping lanes; interest in developing oil and mineral resources; opening ports on long frozen islands; expansion and possible militarization of existing ports. The changing Arctic thus has long-term national security implications as the U.S., Canada, Russia, China, Norway and Greenland/Denmark seek to solidify their presence.

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope discusses the Kurds, the largest ethnic group in the Middle East, and perhaps the world, who don't have a country. Pope discusses Kurdish history and why the Kurds are always, seemingly, the odd man out in the Middle East.

Jarrett Blanc, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington D.C. discusses Afghanistan: After 18 years, could there be hope on the horizon on ending the 'Endless War' in Afghanistan? The Reality: Anything but Easy!

The India Consul General from Atlanta, Dr. Swati V. Kulkarni, joins representatives from Indian companies, Novelis and Sundararm Clayton to discuss relationships between India and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Mark Sloan of DTB Associates, a Washington based consulting firm specializing in agricultural and pharmaceutical issues, discusses the current status of the US-Mexico Trade Agreement and the US-Canada Trade Agreement--what's in these agreements for all sides, upcoming Congressional consideration, and what happens if Congress doesn't approve these agreements.

Charleston World Affairs Council member George Pope takes on the daunting task of explaining tariffs. What is a tariff? Who really pays the tariff? Do tariffs really work? What's going on with China and tariffs? Listen and learn! Become insufferable to friends and neighbors as you explain tariffs. Enjoy!

Polly Nayak, a leading expert and author on the fragile India-Pakistan relationship, discusses the seventy-plus years of fraught relations between India and Pakistan which alternate between fragile peace and high tensions, and explains why 'trust' between the two countries has never existed.

Climate change! Contentious upcoming elections! A China connection! As a matter fact, Mozambique, approximately twice the size of California located the southeast coast of Africa shares many issues and concerns with the Uniter States. Dr. Cary Manning of Georgia State University joins Dr. Brian Norris of the World Affairs Council of Charleston to discuss Mozambique.

Dr. Bluford Putnam, Managing Director and Chief Economist of the CME Group of Chicago brings over 35 years of experience in identifying and evaluating global financial and trade issues to the vexing issue of Brexit. In this presentation, Dr. Putnam discusses Brexit backstory, current status, defining issues, conflicting personalities and their political calculations to explain what might happen next.