Programs

We offer 16 programs on average each year, focusing on the most critical foreign policy matters before the nation. We ask our speakers to analyze the tensions among the major powers, to explain the national interests at stake in foreign disputes and to put a spotlight on humanitarian crises that often are overlooked. Past speakers have included: Vice Presidents; Secretaries of State and Defense; Directors of the National Security Agency; Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Congressmen; Journalists; Scholars; Senior Military Officers; and Ambassadors from more than 60 nations.

BCFA

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 24, 2024

Madelyn Creedon, Franklin Miller, & Daryl Kimball

Do We Need More Nukes?
LEARN MORE >

April 24, 2024

Madelyn Creedon, Franklin Miller, & Daryl Kimball

Do We Need More Nukes?
LEARN MORE >

April 24, 2024

Madelyn Creedon, Franklin Miller, & Daryl Kimball

Do We Need More Nukes?
LEARN MORE >

The post-Cold War era came to an abrupt end when Russia’s invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The United States’ growing rivalry with China meanwhile presents challenges in every area of foreign affairs. We are thus living in a suddenly more complex, dangerous era. Threats to democracy and fundamental human rights have expanded to include cyber warfare, space weaponry and digital authoritarianism, including the manipulation of social media. At the same time, political polarization at home raises questions about American leadership in global affairs. Flawed past decisions that led to long troop deployments abroad without achieving basic goals have weakened the national resolve to tackle new challenges as they arise. The questions that the Council seeks to explore are, can the United States learn from its mistakes – as well as from its past successes? Will it continue playing the lead role in supporting a rules-based world order, or will it abandon that role to malign actors whose main goal is to displace American leadership? In this critical moment, the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs contributes to these debates by providing a public forum for distinguished experts in foreign affairs.

 

February 7, 2024

James Jeffrey

“Is there a two-state solution in the Arab-Israeli conflict? Who can make it happen?”

March 6, 2024

John Bader

TBD

April 4, 2024

Jeremy Konyndyk

TBD

April 24, 2024

Madelyn Creedon, Franklin Miller, & Daryl Kimball

Do We Need More Nukes?

Upcoming Speaker:


Feb. 7th 2024 James Jeffrey


Former US Ambassador Event


Former Ambassador to Iraq, Turkey, and Albania


Topic:
Is There a Two-state Solution in the Arab-Israeli Conflict? Who Can Make It Happen?

DATE: February 7, 2024 6:00 PM

LOCATION: World Trade Center Baltimore



Details

Upcoming Speaker

Robert Gilchrist

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy Human Rights and Labor

Global Democratic Renewal: An American Priority, a Collective Challenge

DATE: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 
TIME: 6:00 PM
Location: World Trade Center Baltimore


DETAILS

Recent Video Library

Programs 2020-Present

53 Videos
John Bader, The Fulbrights at 78: Achievements and Contradiction

John Bader, The Fulbrights at 78: Achievements and Contradiction

1:14:13
James Jeffrey, Is There a Two-state Solution in the Arab-Israeli Conflict? Who Can Make It Happen? By James Jeffrey

James Jeffrey, Is There a Two-state Solution in the Arab-Israeli Conflict? Who Can Make It Happen? By James Jeffrey

1:02:23
Global Democratic Renewal: An American Priority, a Collective Challenge By Robert Gilchrist

Global Democratic Renewal: An American Priority, a Collective Challenge By Robert Gilchrist

1:03:24
American Foreign Policy and the Lessons of History By Robert Zoellick

American Foreign Policy and the Lessons of History By Robert Zoellick

The Case for Prioritizing Taiwan Over Ukraine

The Case for Prioritizing Taiwan Over Ukraine

1:01:54
Marek Magierowski, Poland’s Vision for European Security

Marek Magierowski, Poland’s Vision for European Security

Patrick Fearon Hernandez, "The Return of Great Power Competition"

Patrick Fearon Hernandez, “The Return of Great Power Competition”

1:05:05
Frank McKenzie, "Iran, the United States, and the Middle East"

Frank McKenzie, “Iran, the United States, and the Middle East”

1:00:51
Christopher Kolenda, "Debacle In Afghanistan: An Insider’s View on What Went Wrong"

Christopher Kolenda, “Debacle In Afghanistan: An Insider’s View on What Went Wrong”

1:10:10
Keith Mines, "Haiti: On the Verge of Starvation after a Political Implosion"

Keith Mines, “Haiti: On the Verge of Starvation after a Political Implosion”

1:14:01
Robert Freedman, “Israel and Russia – A Troubled 75 – Year Relationship”

Robert Freedman, “Israel and Russia – A Troubled 75 – Year Relationship”

1:04:12
Thom Shanker & Andrew Hoehn, “The Slide into Great Power Competition with China”

Thom Shanker & Andrew Hoehn, “The Slide into Great Power Competition with China”

1:10:31
Jennica Larrison, "Humanitarian Negligence: Turning A Blind Eye to The Forced Migration Catastrophe"

Jennica Larrison, “Humanitarian Negligence: Turning A Blind Eye to The Forced Migration Catastrophe”

1:10:50
Dermot Groome, "Closing the Impunity Gap for War Crimes in Ukraine"

Dermot Groome, “Closing the Impunity Gap for War Crimes in Ukraine”

1:04:56
Trita Parsi, "America and the Middle East: Marriage on the Rocks"

Trita Parsi, “America and the Middle East: Marriage on the Rocks”

1:02:37
Robert Kagan, "The Collapse of World Order In the 20th Century"

Robert Kagan, “The Collapse of World Order In the 20th Century”

1:14:58
Michael O’Hanlon, "Military History for the Modern Strategist"

Michael O’Hanlon, “Military History for the Modern Strategist”

1:00:01
Andrew Weiss, "Demystifying Vladimir Putin"

Andrew Weiss, “Demystifying Vladimir Putin”

1:04:31
Joseph Votel, “Afghanistan:  Lessons Learned”

Joseph Votel, “Afghanistan: Lessons Learned”

1:05:42
Paul Goble, “Who’s Going to Win in Ukraine and What the Outcome means for Us”

Paul Goble, “Who’s Going to Win in Ukraine and What the Outcome means for Us”

1:05:09
James O’Brien, “Sanctions: Do They Ever Work?”

James O’Brien, “Sanctions: Do They Ever Work?”

1:13:03
Tom Andrews and Wai Wai Nu, “Myanmar’s Agony Since the Coup”

Tom Andrews and Wai Wai Nu, “Myanmar’s Agony Since the Coup”

1:04:39
John Bolton, “Threats Facing the United States”

John Bolton, “Threats Facing the United States”

1:07:54
Corinne Graff, "An Aid Program for Countries At The Edge of Chaos"

Corinne Graff, “An Aid Program for Countries At The Edge of Chaos”

1:09:21
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, "The Perilous State of Indian Democracy"

Pratap Bhanu Mehta, “The Perilous State of Indian Democracy”

1:08:47
Steve Carmel and Bill Doyle, "The Supply Chain Crisis 2.0"

Steve Carmel and Bill Doyle, “The Supply Chain Crisis 2.0”

1:18:01
Michael Kofman, "Still a great power? The Russian military after the invasion of Ukraine"

Michael Kofman, “Still a great power? The Russian military after the invasion of Ukraine”

1:00:04
David Schenker, “The Ukraine Crisis: Why America’s Mideast Partners are Sitting on the Fence”

David Schenker, “The Ukraine Crisis: Why America’s Mideast Partners are Sitting on the Fence”

1:00:04
Admiral (Ret.) James Foggo, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:  Implications for European Security”

Admiral (Ret.) James Foggo, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Implications for European Security”

1:42:31
Dr.  Paul Pillar, "Afghanistan Isn't Good Terrorist Real Estate"

Dr. Paul Pillar, “Afghanistan Isn’t Good Terrorist Real Estate”

1:00:01
Dr. Ömer Taşpinar,  “Turkey, the Middle East and the West: Deciphering Mutual Misunderstandings”

Dr. Ömer Taşpinar, “Turkey, the Middle East and the West: Deciphering Mutual Misunderstandings”

1:00:04
Dr. Lawrence C.  Schuette, “Technology – Once Again, the Future is Now…”

Dr. Lawrence C. Schuette, “Technology – Once Again, the Future is Now…”

1:00:04
Mr. Jerry Hultin, “The Future from Three Perspectives: Cities, Work, and Nation-States”

Mr. Jerry Hultin, “The Future from Three Perspectives: Cities, Work, and Nation-States”

1:00:04
Mr. Elbridge Colby, “The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict”

Mr. Elbridge Colby, “The Strategy of Denial: American Defense in an Age of Great Power Conflict”

1:00:04
Dr. Michael O'Hanlon, “The Art of War in an Age of Peace”

Dr. Michael O’Hanlon, “The Art of War in an Age of Peace”

1:00:04
Mr. Stephen Carmel   "Global Supply Chains"

Mr. Stephen Carmel “Global Supply Chains”

1:15:42
Dr. Sean Roberts   "The Roots of Cultural Genocide in China's Xinjiang Province"

Dr. Sean Roberts “The Roots of Cultural Genocide in China’s Xinjiang Province”

1:04:50
Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez   "Global Migration and U.S. Immigration"

Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez “Global Migration and U.S. Immigration”

1:16:33
Dr. Charles Kupchan   "Future U.S. Global Engagement, Where, When and Why?" May 5, 2021

Dr. Charles Kupchan “Future U.S. Global Engagement, Where, When and Why?” May 5, 2021

1:02:17
Franklin C. Miller  "U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy"

Franklin C. Miller “U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy”

1:00:02
Dr. Audrey Cronin  "Future Technology and Terrorism"

Dr. Audrey Cronin “Future Technology and Terrorism”

1:01:08
Matthew Kroenig, Ph.D.  "The Return of Great Power Rivalry"                        Feb. 24, 2021

Matthew Kroenig, Ph.D. “The Return of Great Power Rivalry” Feb. 24, 2021

1:10:30
Andrew Natsios  "Foreign Aid in the Era of Great Power Competition"         Feb. 3, 2021

Andrew Natsios “Foreign Aid in the Era of Great Power Competition” Feb. 3, 2021

1:08:09
Mead Treadwell, Former Lt. Governor, State of Alaska; Former Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission

Mead Treadwell, Former Lt. Governor, State of Alaska; Former Chair, U.S. Arctic Research Commission

1:12:29
Paul Goble, American analyst, writer and columnist focusing on Russia and Eurasia

Paul Goble, American analyst, writer and columnist focusing on Russia and Eurasia

1:12:22
John Mearsheimer, Ph.D., R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago

John Mearsheimer, Ph.D., R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago

1:03:42
Richard N. Haass, Ph.D., President, Council on Foreign Relations

Richard N. Haass, Ph.D., President, Council on Foreign Relations

59:28
Ambassador Joseph DeThomas, Professor of Practice, Penn State School of International Affairs

Ambassador Joseph DeThomas, Professor of Practice, Penn State School of International Affairs

1:13:19
Dean Cheng, The Heritage Foundation's Research Fellow for Chinese Political and Security Affairs

Dean Cheng, The Heritage Foundation’s Research Fellow for Chinese Political and Security Affairs

1:08:32
Dr. Tara O'Toole, Senior Fellow and Executive Vice President, In-Q-Tel (IQT)

Dr. Tara O’Toole, Senior Fellow and Executive Vice President, In-Q-Tel (IQT)

1:09:30
Bill O'Grady and Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, Confluence Investment Management

Bill O’Grady and Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, Confluence Investment Management

1:29:52
John Duke Anthony Ph.D., Founding President & CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

John Duke Anthony Ph.D., Founding President & CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

1:00:04
Jung H. Pak, Chair in Korea Studies; Center for East Asia Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution

Jung H. Pak, Chair in Korea Studies; Center for East Asia Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution

1:00:04

Television Stations and Broadcast Hours

COUNTYCABLE CHANNELSCHEDULE
Anne Arundel97 (ACETV)T 6:30PM
99 (Comcast)F 3:00 PM, Sat 3:00 PM
99 (Broadstripe)F 3:00 PM, Sat 3:00 PM
39 (Verizon FiOS)F 3:00 PM, Sat 3:00 PM
Baltimore City75 (CMBC)M 9:00PM, TU 9:00 AM, W 12:00 PM, F 7:00 AM
33 (Verizon)M 9:00PM, TU 9:00 AM, W 12:00 PM, F 7:00 AM
Baltimore County25 (Comcast/Verizon FiOS)M 11:00PM, TU 8:00 PM, W 11:00 PM, TH 3:00 PM, F 9:00 AM, S&S 11:00 PM
Carroll18 (CarrollCCtv)W 3:00 PM, Th 8:00 PM
Charles96 ComcastW 3:00 PM, Th 8:00 PM
12 Verizon FiosW 3:00 PM, Th 8:00 PM
Frederick12 Verizon FiosSU 11:00 AM
Harford21 (Comcast)Th 11:00 AM
7 (Armstrong)Th 11:00 AM
31 (Verizon FiOS)Th 11:00 AM
Howard99/44 GTVT 5:00 AM, W 2:00 AM, SU 2:00 AM
96 (Comcast)W 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM
41 HCCTV (Verizon FiOS)W 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM
Montgomery42 (Comcast) (UMTV)M 12:00 PM, W 12:00 PM, F 12:00 PM
40 (Verizon) (UMTV)M 12:00 PM, W 12:00 PM, F 12:00 PM
10 (Montgomery College)Su 8:00 AM
Prince George’sXfinity Channel 76M 12:00 PM, Tu 11:30 AM
Fios Channel 42M 12:00 PM, Tu 11:30 AM
Xfinity Channel 70M 6:30 PM, Tu 7:00 PM, Th 7:00 PM, F 7:00 PM
Fios Channel 41M 6:30 PM, Tu 7:00 PM, Th 7:00 PM, F 7:00 PM
Queen Anne’s7 (QAC)Tu 8:00 PM, W 4:00 PM, F 5:00 PM, S 2:00 PM, Su 10:30 AM
St. Mary’s95 (Metrocast)W 9:00 AM
Wicomico14W 9:00 AM
Cambria (PA)14 (Atlantic Broadband)M 7:00 AM, T 10:30 AM, W 12:00 PM & 10:00 PM, F 10:00 AM
Columbia (PA)8 (Service Electric)M 9:00 PM

Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.