Category Archives: Global Matters

April 10 Event

A Night to Remember: Our April 10th Event at The Literary Club

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On April 10, 2025, the Foreign Policy Leadership Council (FPLC) hosted our first in-person event in a very long time, an exciting and unforgettable evening at the historic Literary Club of Cincinnati. Nestled right downtown, across from Lytle Park, this venerable institution – America’s oldest continuously operating literary club – provided a setting rich in history and character, perfectly complementing the evening’s profound discussions.

The event commenced with a wonderful, delicious dinner, courtesy of one of Northern Kentucky’s premier catering houses. Guests were treated to a culinary experience that matched the evening’s intellectual fare, setting the stage for the engaging discourse to follow.

The highlight of the evening was a compelling conversation featuring esteemed University of Cincinnati Professors Willard Sunderland and Ivan Ivanov. Professor Sunderland, an expert in Russian history, and Professor Ivanov, specializing in European and Russian politics, offered deep insights into the complexities of current geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Ukraine, NATO, and the evolving dynamics of long-standing alliances.

Skillfully guided by a very gracious host and gentle yet firm moderator, our own FPLC Board member Mr. Joe Dehner – who shared personal anecdotes from his 1969 journey through the Soviet Union – the discussion delved beneath the headlines to explore the historical underpinnings and future implications of these current and very important global developments.

The event drew a full house, with attendees actively participating in the dialogue, posing thoughtful questions, and engaging in meaningful exchanges. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and shared purpose, reflecting the FPLC’s commitment to fostering informed discussions on pressing international issues.

Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Literary Club of Cincinnati for graciously opening their doors to us. The club’s storied past and intellectual ambiance added immeasurable value to the evening, reminding us of the enduring power of thoughtful discourse in shaping our understanding of the world.

We look forward to welcoming you to our future events, where dialogue and collaboration continue to unite minds and meals in pursuit of global wisdom, camaraderie, and understanding.

Take the Next Step, Where Insight Meets Influence:
Join the FPLC Community

Whether this was your first event with the Foreign Policy Leadership Council or you’ve been part of our extended family of supporters in the past, we warmly invite you to deepen your connection by becoming an active member. For just $50 a year, FPLC membership offers more than access – it opens the door to a dynamic community of globally engaged leaders, thought-provoking events, and rare insights shared by our esteemed guest speakers.

As a member, you’ll receive exclusive insider access, priority registration, and special discounts for the majority of our programs and premier networking gatherings.

Join Us – and be a part of the dialogue that shapes our world and brings global insight right to our doorstep.

The Unfolding of Current Events Related to Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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Join us for an exclusive dinner and an in-depth discussion on foreign policy with renowned Russian and European experts, as we kick off our first in-person event of the year.

  • What do we make of what is unfolding with Russia, Ukraine, the USA, and Europe?
  • What about NATO?
  • Are 80-year alliances collapsing, evolving?
  • What does history provide as a guide?

Thursday, April 10 from 6PM-8PM

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 7-8PM.

Our Presenting Guest Speakers

University of Cincinnati Professors
Willard Sunderland (left) and
Ivan Ivanov (right) will be our guest speakers, as the Foreign Policy Leadership Council meets again in person over dinner. Professor Sunderland teaches Russian History at UC. Professor Ivanov conducts courses on European and Russian politics.

Our Board member, Mr. Joe Dehner, who drove a Volkswagen through the Soviet Union in 1969, will lead a threaded conversation about the long-term meaning of what is unfolding in Russia, Ukraine, and Europe, and the USA’s role. We will dig beneath the news and noise to consider the meaning of these developments and its impact on us all.

Disarray & Disaster in the Taliban’s Afghanistan

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Please join us for a special, exclusive event featuring Lt. Tom Schram, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer, who specializes in the study and reporting on national security and political-economic events in China, the Western Pacific, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.

Thursday, November 18 at 6:30PM EST (Zoom)

The disaster and chaos in Afghanistan just keep getting worse. With the government unable to pay its bills, the infrastructure crumbling, the ruthless treatment of remaining Afghans who could not escape during the U.S./NATO airlift, the ruling Taliban are finding it complex and difficult to govern and manage as they change from fighting a war to state building, all in a failing economy with no workable financial system in place.

The Taliban’s approach to government has been and continues to be a strict Sharia law under a vicious theocracy. Their merciless approach to those not conforming exactly to these beliefs knows no mercy for those left behind following the U.S. departure. Women’s rights are almost non-existent.

Our evening presentation will touch on the history of the region, previous conquests, topographic challenges, war after 9/11, the evacuation debacle and the poor planning decisions by National Command Authority. Last but not least, our speaker will discuss the strategic implications for the U.S. and the world going forward.

Tom SchramOur Presenting Guest Speaker

Tom Schram holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1969. Tom also has an MBA degree in marketing and finance from the Shidler School of Business, University of Hawaii. He was commissioned in the Navy’s Restricted Line and served 7.5 years as a special intelligence officer in the Naval Security Group. He was stationed in both Japan and Okinawa while serving on multiple deployments. In 1973, he was assigned to NSGA Anchorage, AK as Executive Officer. He resigned his commission in late 1976.

His specialty was electronic intelligence collection while serving in the Naval Security Group. He played a role in the Saigon evacuation in 1975. After leaving the Navy, he had an eclectic career starting with Procter & Gamble where he worked in manufacturing, research & development, advertising brand management, and sales. He was a co-owner of an advertising agency that he helped grow from $2M/year in revenue to $12M over five years. He ran a ballistics research firm for eight years, helped start a microbrewery and led an Internet security firm who had developed an unbreakable firewall.

Tom’s innovative approach in each of his endeavors led to patents and unique business opportunities. However, he never lost his interest in discovering and publishing about world events. For the past twenty years, he has been deeply involved in studying and reporting on geopolitical events around the world with special focus on the Middle East, Afghanistan, and China. His resurgence in learning about all things geopolitical began on 9/11/2001 when he lost his very close friend and USNA classmate in the South Tower of the World Trade Center during the attack on America. Most recently, Tom played a direct role in assisting 757 Afghan refugees flee in the recent aftermath of the Taliban takeover and is now currently assisting another group of refugees who desperately need to evacuate Afghanistan.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE PRESENTATION

The Place of Africa in the 21st Century and Beyond

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Timely, insightful and instructional discussion and presentation on social justice, governance, youth empowerment, women leadership, culture and identity, and other issues pertinent to all Africa related matters.

Tuesday, July 20 @ 12PM (Noon) EST

Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba is a Kenyan born, renowned international public speaker, a high-profile civil servant, an eloquent lawyer and a staunch Pan-Africanist. PLO has delivered several powerful speeches alluding to or about African solutions to African problems.

Professor Lumumba is the Founder of the PLO Lumumba Foundation and a consultant with Lumumba and Lumumba Advocates, a member of the Africa Justice Group (AJG). He is an Advocate of the High Courts of Kenya and Tanganyika and a certified mediator. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya FCPS (K), a Fellow of the Kenya Institute of Management (FKIM) and Honorary Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS). He is the Chairman of Farafina Investment Group in Monrovia, Liberia and Economic Strategic Growth and Development Initiative for Africa based in Nigeria.

He has authored several books on diverse subjects. With several speeches on diverse subjects delivered in and outside Africa, Lumumba is recognized as one of the leading public speakers in Africa and the African in Diaspora. He is the founder of several organizations including the PLO Lumumba Foundation, a charitable organization that has been in operation since 1990. He has also been twice recognized as one of the 100 most influential Africans.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EVENT VIDEO RECORDING