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SPECIAL EVENT – Thursday, October 16 from 6PM-8PM

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THE U.S. MILITARY AND ITS ROLE TODAY: WHAT’S GOING ON?

Brigadier General (Ret.) Stephen N. Xenakis, M.D. will join us on Thursday, October 16 for an off-the-record conversation.

  • What’s the role of the U.S. military today, and how is it changing since January 20?
  • What ethical issues face personnel?
  • How do changes under way affect U.S. foreign policy and life in the United States and abroad?
Dinner and the program will be held at The Literary Club, 500 East Fourth Street, America’s oldest continuously operating literary club. Doors open at 5:30PM, dinner at 6PM, event program from 6:30PM-7:15PM, Q&A session and networking from 7:15PM-8PM.

Seats are Limited – Registration and Reservations are Required!

OUR EVENT SPEAKER

Brigadier General (Ret.) Stephen N. Xenakis, M.D.

General Xenakis has advised the Joint Chief of Staff Chairman and Defense Department on care and support to service members and their families. A practicing psychiatrist, he writes, lectures, and appears regularly on national radio and television about military and security matters.

An Adjunct Professor at the Uniformed Services of Health Sciences of the Military Medical Department at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he is actively engaged with Physicians for Human Rights and Human Rights First. He is the only retired military general and physician to speak out publicly against torture and the involvement of healthcare practitioners in torture.

A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he serves on the Executive Board of the Center for Ethics and Rule of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the editorial board of the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law. 

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SPECIAL EVENT & GUEST SPEAKER –
Wednesday, October 1st from 7PM-8PM

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Lessons from the Edge:
A conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Her Excellency Marie Yovanovitch

Ambassador Marie YovanovitchAmbassador Marie Yovanovitch will join the Foreign Policy Leadership Council by a special Zoom Conference Presentation from 7PM-8PM the evening of Wednesday, October 1st, 2025.

The Ambassador is author of a best-selling memoir, Lessons from the Edge, and is a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as well as at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.

Board Member Mr. Joe Dehner, founding President of the Cincinnati Kharkiv Sister Cities Program, will lead the conversation about Ukraine, Russia, and other matters over her career as a Foreign Service Officer.

Former FPLC speaker Madeline Albright hailed Lessons from the Edge as “essential reading for current policymakers, aspiring public servants, and anyone who cares about America’s role in the world.” The memoir includes a report of her support for a Cincinnati Sister Cities delegation caught in the turmoil of recent years in Ukraine.

NOTE: This will be a Zoom only conference for attendance by FPLC members and guests. There is NO CHARGE, but advance registration is required. Zoom link access information will be sent to you upon completing the registration process.

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Strong Impact, Deep Insight: FPLC’s 09/11 Event Exceeds Expectations

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Cincinnati, OH — On the evening of Thursday, September 11, 2025, the Foreign Policy Leadership Council (FPLC) hosted a truly special dinner event at The Literary Club. With the convergence of date, discourse, and distinguished attendees, the gathering proved to be not just informative, but deeply meaningful.

A Night That Resonated

From its opening moments, the event carried significance that went beyond its agenda. Gathering on September 11, a date etched into the American memory, heightened the feeling that the subject matter was not academic abstraction, but part of a larger, urgent conversation about security, resilience, and responsibility.

Following a great introduction by our Board Member, former US Congressman, Mr. Steve Driehaus, our distinguished guest speaker, Dr. Richard J. Harknett, Professor and Director of the Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy at the University of Cincinnati, guided discussions that were as timely as they were powerful. His presentation “Cyber Persistence and International Security: Insights from the Russo-Ukraine Conflict and Kettering Health” shed light on how cyber threats now cut across borders, sectors, and institutions. Listeners were given rare glimpses into how theory, policy, and technology are colliding, and how individuals, communities, and organizations must adapt.

What Made It Exceptional

Several elements combined to make the evening truly exceptional. Dr. Harknett’s remarkable depth of expertise brought an uncommon level of insight. He translated complex cyber-strategy concepts into clear, actionable ideas, leaving attendees with both new knowledge and practical ways to think about cybersecurity in their own lives and work. Equally striking was the relevance of his topic. By linking high-level geopolitical cyber warfare to more local concerns such as infrastructure vulnerabilities, cybercrime, and threats to personal data, Dr. Harknett made the global conversation immediately applicable to everyone in the room.

The timing added an extra layer of meaning. Held on September 11, the event carried the weight of remembrance and reflection. On a date when the nation honors sacrifice and resilience, it felt especially fitting to confront modern threats in cyberspace and to commit ourselves to heightened awareness and preparedness.

Finally, the Q&A and networking sessions created a sense of vibrant community. Attendees from legal, policy, and business backgrounds exchanged ideas freely, leaving not only more informed but also energized and connected.

Looking Ahead

If this event is any indicator, FPLC’s calendar will be rich with indispensable conversations. We’re reminded that our world is changing fast, technologies evolve, threats morph, but our need for shared understanding, strategic thinking, and clear action remains constant.

We encourage everyone who joined us to stay involved, and those who missed it to mark their calendars for what’s next. Expect more evenings that combine expert insight, timely topics, and thoughtful discussion. We look forward to growing the community, widening the conversation, and deepening our collective capacity to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Thank you to all who attended, to Dr. Harknett for his outstanding presentation, and to everyone who helped to bring this remarkable evening together. More extraordinary, informative, and impactful events are on the horizon. Stay tuned.

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT SPECIAL DINNER EVENT – Thursday, September 11 from 6PM-8PM

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Hello Everyone,

After a longer-than-expected break, we’re thrilled to finally be back and happy to announce that our regular events programming is officially a go! We’ve missed connecting with all of you and are so excited to kick things off again with an event that promises to inspire and energize.

Mark your calendars for September 11, 2025, when we’ll be welcoming a truly remarkable speaker and guest, Dr. Richard J. Harknett. As we gather on this very significant date – one that forever changed our understanding of security and resilience – we confront a new frontier of threats that transcend borders and challenge the very foundations of global stability. His insights and expertise are sure to make this gathering one to remember, whether you’re a familiar face or joining us for the first time.

Stay tuned for all the details below. We can’t wait to see you there!

Cyber Persistence and Int’l Security: Insights from the Russo-Ukraine Conflict and Kettering Health

In today’s hyperconnected world, cyberspace is both our greatest asset and our greatest Achilles’ heel. Every transaction, every communication, every critical system we depend on is part of a vast, invisible network that never sleeps. Yet with this connectivity comes unprecedented risk. Nations are racing to strengthen their cyber defenses, deploying bold new strategies to protect critical infrastructure, prevent espionage, and neutralize threats before they strike.

Our special dinner event presentation takes you inside the evolving playbook of national cybersecurity, where cutting-edge technology, intelligence operations, and strategic planning converge. You’ll discover how the same principles that protect a country in times of war can be applied to stopping cybercrime in your own backyard, shielding businesses from catastrophic breaches, and safeguarding your personal digital footprint.

Cybersecurity is no longer a distant government concern, it’s the modern battlefield, and we are all part of this confrontation.   

The question is: Can we and WILL we be ready?

***

The event will be held at The Literary Club, 500 East Fourth Street (across from Lytle Park), America’s oldest continuously operating literary club. Doors open at 5:30PM, dinner at 6PM, event program from 6:30PM-7:15PM, Q&A session and networking  from 7:15PM-8PM.

Seats are Limited – Registration and Reservations are Required!

OUR EVENT SPEAKER

Richard J. Harknett, PhDRichard J. Harknett, PhD is Professor and Director of the Center for Cyber Strategy and Policy at the University of Cincinnati, where he also co-directs the Ohio Cyber Range Institute, a state-wide organization supporting cyber education, workforce, economic, and research development. He is Board Member and Faculty Liaison for the Portman Center for Policy Solutions.

He served as Scholar-in-Residence at US Cyber Command and continues in a support role. He has presented both policy briefings and academic research in 15 countries, on Capitol Hill, and to various US Federal and State government agencies. Professor Harknett has held two Fulbright Scholar appointments: in Cyber Studies at Oxford University in the UK, and in International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria, where he continues to hold a non-resident professor appointment.

He has authored over 60 publications including the co-authored book Cyber Persistence Theory: Redefining National Security in Cyberspace (Oxford Univ. Press, 2022) and has contributed to raising over $60 million in institutional and research grant and philanthropic financial support.

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