Weekly News | August 8, 2016

If you like what your World Affairs Council is doing for your community it’s time to join and donate to keep it going.

Welcome
Program | Brexit and the U.S. Economy
Film Screening: “America’s Diplomats”
Tennessee Foreign Language Institute: 30 Years of Building Bridges
Program | Iran Project Panel
“What in the World?” Weekly Quiz
Program | The United Nations in an Uncertain World
Talk to the Author | The Long Game: America’s Role in the World
Program | China-US Relations
Guiding US National Security Policy
Travel The World
Council Programs in the Media
On the Map
Book of the Week

THESE THINGS WE DO ARE POSSIBLY ONLY THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT. THANKS!

WELCOME TO WEEKLY NEWS

To Know the World.

That’s the purpose of the Tennessee World Affairs Council.  We are one of 95 similarly organized nonpartisan councils around the country — all independent — that form the largest grassroots global awareness affairs effort in the world. We share the same goals of delivering public and school programs that help people, especially students, develop a better understanding of the important international issues that affect their lives and futures.

We welcome you as a member and as a contributor to our work.

Did you know you can keep up with current international affairs news by following @TNWAC #TNWACquiz

NEXT WEEK | BREXIT AND THE U.S. ECONOMY: WHAT TO EXPECT

When voters in the United Kingdom shocked themselves and other Europeans this summer with the choice to exit their decades old political and economic union, it caused a wave in currency and stock exchanges around the world as well as toppling the British prime minister. The markets have largely settled out after the surprising prospect of a looming tectonic shift in EU dynamics but the implications are yet to be fully understood. A distinguished panel of specialists will take up the questions of Brexit and the U.S. economy at a special presentation on August 16th at the Nashville Chamber of Commerce in an event presented by the International Business Council, the Tennessee World Affairs Council, and the Center for International Business at Belmont. Details

If you like what your World Affairs Council is doing for your community it’s time to join and donate to keep it going.

TENNESSEE FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE: 30 YEARS OF BUILDING BRIDGES

International trade and investment and building bridges through communication are among the elements of economic success in the age of globalization. Tennessee has long embraced that reality to the benefit of our businesses and workers many of whom can thank the forward looking engagement of our private and public sector leaders in bringing home the world’s commercial opportunities. Today we salute the work of the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute and we’re pleased to share for your consideration a recent essay by TFLI’s Executive Director Dr. Janice Snow Rodriguez on the occasion of the Institute’s 30th anniversary.  Details

PROGRAM | FILM SCREENING: AMERICA’S DIPLOMATS 

Join us Sep 7th for this special evening of viewing an insightful documentary about the men and women who are at the front of U.S. diplomacy around the world along with pre- and post-screening commentary and Q&A with two of those professionals who have done the tough work for America: Amb Charles Bowers and Amb Ron Schlicher. We’ll see you at Belmont University on Sep 7th. Information, film trailer and registration at Details

Did you know if you click on the Amazon link on the TNWAC.org web site when you go shopping at Amazon your World Affairs Council earns a percentage of the sale — no added expense to you. 

PROGRAM | IRAN PROJECT PANEL

Join the Tennessee World Affairs Council and Belmont University, in association with the Iran Project, at a Sep 19th town hall conversation with distinguished American Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering and David Plazas, The Tennessean’s Opinion Engagement Editor, on the topic: “The Iran Nuclear Deal: Propsects for Cooperation, Competition and Confrontation.” Information and registration at Details

“WHAT IN THE WORLD?” WEEKLY QUIZ

The World Affairs Council created the “What in the World?” Weekly Quiz to inspire interest in current affairs for our members and guests, and especially for students. Every Monday morning the quiz is posted on the Web site, on Facebook and distributed by email (to the “Quiz” sublist). Later in the week a followup is published to provide quiz answers and name the winners of the weekly quiz. At the end of the month a prize is given to one of the winners of the quizzes for the month. The quiz also serves as a resource for students and teacher-coaches participating in Academic WorldQuest and other educational endeavors. It provides a tool to keep students engaged in global affairs awareness and serves as a guide and source for the AWQ competition current event topic area. The questions on the quiz are drawn from the news reports shared on the @TNWAC Twitter feed marked by #TNWACquiz. Details

PROGRAM | UNITED NATIONS IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD

You’re invited to the Nashville Chapter of the United Nations Association summer luncheon and lecture with Ambassador John Kornblum talking about “The Role of the UN in an Uncertain World.” It is set for August 27th at the Belle Meade United Methodist Church. Before entering the private sector, Ambassador Kornblum was a member of the United States Foreign Service for more than 35 years. He has lived with his family in Berlin and in Nashville, TN since completing his assignment as American Ambassador to Germany in 2003. Registration required by August 22nd. [Details]

TALK TO THE AUTHOR | THE LONG GAME: AMERICA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD

September 2016 Cover to Cover The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America’s Role in the World.  Author Derek Chollet is a counselor and senior advisor for security and defense policy at The German Marshall Fund of the United States. He will discuss his new book on Wednesday, September 7, at 1:00-1:30 PM CT.  Register for the call

PROGRAM | CHINA-US RELATIONS | NATIONAL WEBCAST-LOCAL PANEL

China’s rapid development and Sino-American relations have a direct impact on the lives of just about everyone in the United States. “CHINA Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections,” is a national day of programming designed to provide Americans across the United States and beyond the opportunity to discuss issues in the relationship with leading experts. Join us at Belmont University on Oct 18, 2016 for a national webcast with former Secretary of State Dr. Henry A. Kissinger followed by an in-house panel of specialists.  [Details]

If you like what your World Affairs Council is doing for your community it’s time to join and donate to keep it going.

GUIDING U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY

The National Interest on July 31 published “Balanced Internationalism: Five Core Principles to Guide U.S. National Security Policy“, an article by Dr. Schuyler Foerster, Board President of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council and Brent Scowcroft Professor of National Security Studies at the Air Force Academy, and Dr. Ray Raymond, a former British diplomat, who teaches at SUNY Ulster and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  [Details]

WORLD AFFAIRS NATIONAL CONFERENCE | WASHINGTON | NOV 16-18

You’re invited to the flagship conference for the network of America’s World Affairs Councils. Participate in conference panels, think tank visits and embassy receptions at the premier annual event of the world’s largest grassroots community devoted to education on world affairs. Special programs available for “1918 Society” members at the Pentagon and CIA. Save $100 by being a TN WAC member.  [Details]

A NETWORK WITH BENEFITS – TRAVEL THE WORLD

  Details

A NETWORK WITH BENEFITS – COUNCIL PROGRAMS IN THE MEDIA

THESE THINGS WE DO ARE POSSIBLY ONLY THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT. THANKS!

ON THE MAP

Aug 16 – Business Breakfast Panel – “Brexit and the U.S. Economy: What to Expect?” – Nashville Chamber of Commerce [DETAILS] Sep 7 – Talk to the Author – Teleconference – 1-1:30pm CT – “The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America’s Role in the World,” by Derek Chollet. [DETAILS] Sep 7 – Film Screening – “America’s Diplomats” with host Amb Dick Bowers – Belmont  [DETAILS] Sep 19 – Town Hall – “The Iran Nuclear Deal: Prospects for Cooperation, Competition and Confrontation – Amb Thomas R. Pickering – Belmont  [DETAILS] Oct 18 – Town Hall – China: Local Connections, National Reflections – National webcast and local panel – Dr. Henry A. Kissinger – Belmont [DETAILS] Nov 16-18 – National Conference – The World Affairs Councils of America National Conference in Washington DC.  Held annually for over two decades, the World Affairs Councils of America’s National Conference engages our regional leaders and members drawn from the business, civic, and education communities with leading policy-makers and experts. [DETAILS]

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ISIS: A History by Fawaz A. Gerges

Link for more information about this book.

The Islamic State has stunned the world with its savagery, destructiveness, and military and recruiting successes. What explains the rise of ISIS and what does it portend for the future of the Middle East? In this book, one of the world’s leading authorities on political Islam and jihadism sheds new light on these questions as he provides a unique history of the rise and growth of ISIS. Moving beyond journalistic accounts, Fawaz Gerges provides a clear and compelling account of the deeper conditions that fuel ISIS.

The book describes how ISIS emerged in the chaos of Iraq following the 2003 U.S. invasion, how the group was strengthened by the suppression of the Arab Spring and by the war in Syria, and how ISIS seized leadership of the jihadist movement from Al Qaeda. Part of a militant Sunni revival, ISIS claims its goals are to resurrect a caliphate and rid “Islamic lands” of all Shia and other minorities. In contrast to Al Qaeda, ISIS initially focused on the “near enemy”–Shia, the Iraqi and Syrian regimes, and secular, pro-Western states in the Middle East. But in a tactical shift ISIS has now taken responsibility for spectacular attacks in Europe and other places beyond the Middle East, making it clear that the group is increasingly interested in targeting the “far enemy” as well. Ultimately, the book shows how decades of dictatorship, poverty, and rising sectarianism in the Middle East, exacerbated by foreign intervention, led to the rise of ISIS–and why addressing those problems is the only way to ensure its end.

An authoritative introduction to arguably the most important conflict in the world today, this is an essential book for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the social turmoil and political violence ravaging the Arab-Islamic world.

About the Author

The Tennessee World Affairs Council is a nonprofit (501c3), nonpartisan educational charity based in Nashville that works to build understanding of global issues in our communities. Learn more about the Council and find how you can join, donate and volunteer at: www.TNWAC.org  — Join / Donate / Volunteer