MATTHEW KROENIG

Event information

MATTHEW KROENIG

PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

DIRECTOR OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY INITIATIVE AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE SCOWCROFT CENTER FOR STRATEGY AND SECURITY,

THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL

The Return of Great Power Rivalry

DATE: February 24, 2021 6:00 pm

Background

Since the end of WWII, the United States has been the most powerful country in the world. However, the latest U.S. National Security Strategy declared that the return of great power competition with Russia and China is the greatest threat to U.S. national and economic security. Further, many IR analysts argue that America’s great power rivals will succeed in displacing the United States as the leading global power.

 

Unfortunately, international relations (IR) scholars have for the most part, not investigated past great power rivalries, who wins them, and the underlying reasons why.  In his talk, Dr. Kroenig will discuss the advantages of democracies over autocracies in international geopolitics, including economic, diplomatic, and military advantages. He will also discuss, that despite its many problems, America’s fundamentals are in much better shape than Russia or China’s, and will likely continue to be that way for the foreseeable future. Finally, Dr. Kroenig will discuss options for the United States and her allies in dealing with Russia and China, and what the United States could and should be doing moving forward.

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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.

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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.

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