Tag Archives: Global Matters

When the World Is at War: Understanding US National Security in a Fractured World

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Join us on Thursday, May 14th for a rare and essential evening with one of America’s foremost authorities on national security, military strategy, and global conflict.

We are living through a moment unlike any in recent memory. Wars are being fought on multiple fronts. Alliances are being tested. The role of the American military and of America itself on the world stage is being redefined in real time. The questions have never felt more urgent: What is driving these conflicts? What are the stakes for the United States? And what does the future of global security and relations look like?

There may be no one better equipped to guide us through these questions than our special guest speaker, Dr. Cynthia A. Watson.

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 7:00PM-7:45PM, Q&A 7:45PM-8PM.

OUR EVENT SPEAKER

Dr. Cynthia WatsonDr. Watson spent nearly thirty years at the National War College, the nation’s premier institution for senior military and civilian leaders, where she served as Professor of Strategy, Chair of the Department of Security Studies, Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs, and ultimately Interim Provost of the National Defense University. She was also awarded the distinguished title of Professor Emerita in recognition of her extraordinary service to professional military education.

Her credentials are remarkable: Graduate of the London School of Economics and the University of Notre Dame, a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the National Committee on US-China Relations, and the Society for Military History. Her book US National Security was named a Book of the Year by CHOICE magazine. Her landmark work Combatant Commands: Origins, Structure, and Engagements remains the definitive text on how America deploys its military power across the globe. 

Simply put, Dr. Watson has spent a career training the people who make the decisions that shape our world. Now she brings that perspective directly to you.

In an era of grinding conflict in Ukraine, ongoing instability in the Middle East, the Iranian war, escalating tensions across the Indo-Pacific, and a rapidly shifting US foreign policy posture, this is precisely the kind of evening that reminds us why our organization, the FPLC exists – to bring the sharpest minds in global affairs into candid, direct conversation with our community.

We anticipate a thought-provoking program for all engaged citizens who want to understand not just what is happening in the world – but why, and what comes next.

Don’t miss this opportunity.
Seats are Limited – Registration and Reservations are Required!

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

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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.

 

An Evening to Remember!

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Cincinnati, OH – What a fun and quite unique night! Our November 12 dinner event and gathering at The Literary Club downtown – https://fplcohio.org/events/contemporary-espionage – saw a packed house for a presentation that truly stood out and reinforced the high standard for our organization’s speaker series. The event’s subject was not just timely, but quite uniquely captivating and relevant for today’s rapidly changing world.

“Challenges in Contemporary Espionage”

Our guest speaker, Mr. Jeremy Hurewitz, brought firsthand experience and a wealth of insights to the discussion. Regrettably, his flight from New York City was canceled due to the government shutdown, preventing him from attending in person. Despite this setback, we managed to connect via video call, ensuring the success of the event.

As an accomplished journalist, respected analyst, and trusted advisor to leading intelligence and corporate security bodies he shared rare and fascinating insights from years spent at the intersection of international affairs, high-stakes intelligence gathering, and global security analysis. From Prague and Shanghai to executive protection operations, his stories wove together the human and technological aspects of modern espionage.

His presentation brought to light the complexities and incredible advancement of modern Chinese espionage and its innovative tools and tactics, revealing the critical, sometimes confounding, challenges it presents for American and the rest of multinational defense and security experts. The talk went far beyond headlines, offering a detailed look at how current global actors and organizations operate in today’s intelligence environment and the great challenges the people in the field go through to counteract the advent of full body recognition and movement, and not just only the facial part. The Q&A session afterward was very engaging and lively, a testament to the presentation’s success in sparking curiosity and dialogue.

For those of you unable to attend, we don’t want you to miss out on Jeremy Hurewitz’s fascinating work. We recommend watching his recent video interview, “What Spies Can Teach Us About Persuasion”, via GZERO Media. In the video, Jeremy breaks down why true intelligence pros are more like master persuaders than action heroes and how these ‘spy skills’ have lessons for us all, from the conference room to the negotiating table. Get your own taste of the inspiration and practical insight he brought to our event!

For all interested parties, we’d like to mention that our organization has purchased a few books that we would be happy to offer at cost. All proceeds are tax-deductible and are used to support the organization and fund our future events. Please send us an email message should you be interested in purchasing your own copy.

Thank you all who came for making this event such a success! Stay tuned for more exceptional programming from FPLC in the new year, and remember, you never know what you’ll discover when you join us for nights like these!

Challenges in Contemporary Espionage: AI, China, and Beyond

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Our special event speaker for November 12, Mr. Jeremy Hurewitz, will deliver a fascinating and timely presentation titled “Challenges in Contemporary Espionage: AI, China, and Beyond.”

Mr. Hurewitz will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of intelligence gathering and counterintelligence, the evolving geopolitical dynamics involving China, and the broader implications for global security in the 21st century. Drawing on his extensive experience in international affairs and security analysis, he will provide valuable insights into how nations and organizations adapt to this rapidly shifting 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 6PM, event program from 6:30PM-7:15PM, Q&A session and networking from 7:15PM-8PM.

OUR EVENT SPEAKER

Jeremy HurewitzAuthor, speaker, and analyst Jeremy Hurewitz is a former freelance journalist with more than a decade experience based in Prague and Shanghai. He built and ran Project Syndicate, an international newspaper association.

Jeremy writes and has written regularly on foreign policy for a wide range of publications including Forbes, USA Today, Time, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, and the South China Morning Post.

More recently he has worked closely with intelligence officers in the world of corporate security across a range of services including executive protection, kidnap-for-ransom, and on other sensitive assignments. He is a Strategic Advisor to the corporate intelligence firm Interfor International. He will discuss how technology, in particular AI, is profoundly changing the nature of modern espionage. His deep dive into Chinese espionage will explain why China’s focus on both business and politics, presents vexing difficulties for U.S. counterintelligence.

Jeremy’s latest book, “Sell Like a Spy”, is a unique look at how the techniques of spies and other government officials can be used by everyone to grow relationships, communicate more effectively, and overcome a range of challenges. Books will be available for purchase and author signing the night of the event.