Tag Archives: US & The World

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.

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