At a Hemispheric Crossroads: U.S. Global Policy and the Future of Latin America

On February 26, join us for a timely and essential conversation at the crossroads of U.S. global policy and Latin American relations.

As geopolitical tensions shift and regional alliances evolve, understanding the United States’ approach to Central and South America has never been more urgent – or more complex. The most recent developments in Venezuela have once again brought the region into sharp global focus, underscoring how quickly political, humanitarian, and economic dynamics can escalate, and how deeply they resonate beyond national borders.

We are honored to convene two voices of recognized authority, experts uniquely equipped to navigate the political, economic, and diplomatic sensitivities of this moment. Their guidance will help illuminate not only where US-Latin American relations stand today, but where they may be headed next.

We anticipate a deep, critical dialogue for policymakers, scholars, business leaders, students, and engaged citizens who want to understand the stakes and impact of the current landscape.


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 6:15PM, event program from 7:00PM-7:45PM, Q&A session from 7:45PM-8PM.


This program marks our first in-person dinner event of 2026.
Seating is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged!


OUR EVENT SPEAKERS

Walt VanderbushWalt Vanderbush brings deep expertise in US-Latin American relations, Latin American political economy, and immigration policy, all grounded in decades of research, teaching, and international experience. Walt is an Associate Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of Global and Intercultural Studies at Miami University. He has guided students on study abroad experiences in Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia and is co-author of the acclaimed textbook “International Studies: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Global Issues.” His work enriches our understanding of international policy and intercultural dynamics, making him a compelling voice for our community.


Juan Carlos AlbarránJuan Carlos Albarrán complements this perspective with his lifelong commitment to Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino/a studies, leading student exchanges, international programs, and interdisciplinary exploration of regional issues from sustainable tourism to migration and diaspora dynamics. Originally from Havana, Cuba, Juan Carlos has developed study abroad opportunities and led workshops across Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, and Cuba, and has guided students through Miami University’s Luxembourg campus programs. As Director of the Study of United States Institutions (SUSI) Exchange Program sponsored by the U.S. State Department, he brings global perspectives and social entrepreneurship into the classroom. A passionate advocate for global diversity, inclusion, and the humanities, Professor Albarrán continues to inspire students to engage with timely issues through deep cultural connections.

or scan the following QR Code: 
QR Code for Jotform form

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

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 Edgeand 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.

CLICK TO REGISTER

or scan the following QR Code: 

QR Code for Jotform form

Disarray & Disaster in the Taliban’s Afghanistan

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

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