Posts
Today in Ukraine: Corruption, Riots & Russia at the Gates
On December 15th, United States Institute of Peace Executive Vice President, Ambassador Bill Taylor and Editor of the Atlantic Council Blog, Ukraine Alert, Melinda Haring discussed the current political and security challenges facing Ukraine.
The Worldview Series: Baltic States
Partnership for a Secure America is excited to announce a new partnership with the Embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for 2017 titled The Worldview Series: Baltic States. This is the third installment of PSA’s program, The Worldview Series which aims to build deeper understanding of the important decisions American policy-makers face regarding U.S. foreign policy. The Embassies and PSA have designed this program to improve congressional insight on the Baltic States to better inform U.S. foreign policy decisions on Capitol Hill.
The series features off-the-record events with leading transatlantic experts from government, think tank, and business arenas. Focusing on a holistic understanding of the Baltic States’ histories, relations with the United States, and security situations, this program aims to build understanding of the important decisions American policy-makers face regarding US-Baltic relations.
The Embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are educational participants in the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act, authorized by the U.S. Department of State.
Why the U.S. Should Care
October 23rd – Ambassador Andris Teikmanis and Mr. Ilja Laurs discussed the diplomatic and business relationships that exist between the Baltic States and the U.S. and European Union. They also discussed the value of this strong relationship to U.S. national interests.
Featuring:
Ambassador Andris Teikmanis – Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the United States of America
Mr. Ilja Laurs – Lithuanian Tech Entrepreneur
Security in the Region
October 30th – Mr. Tom Goffus, Mr. Lee Litzenberger and Ambassador John Heffern discussed the security environment in the Baltic States, Russia’s influence operations in the region, and NATO’s response. They considered how the U.S., NATO and the Baltic States can work together to ensure security in the region while deterring Russia and other potential foes.
Featuring:
Mr. Tom Goffus – Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO
Mr. Lee Litzenberger – Former Deputy Permanent Representative and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission to NATO
Ambassador John Heffern – Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
History and Transformation of the Baltic States
November 6th – Ambassadors Rolandas Krišciūnas and Lauri Lepik along with Mr. Paul Goble discussed the history of the three Baltic States, their transition from Soviet occupation to full members of the European community, and the economic transformation each of the three states experienced.
Featuring:
Ambassador Rolandas Krišciūnas – Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States of America
Ambassador H.E. Lauri Lepik – Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States of America
Mr. Paul Goble – Former Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of State
Delegation to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
November 18th-26th – Participants traveled to the Baltic States for a week-long delegation trip to gain an on-the-ground perspective at issues facing US-Baltic States relations. The delegation visited Tallinn, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; and Vilnius, Lithuania. The delegation met with government and defense officials, business representatives, U.S. forces stationed in Latvia, and others.
PSA Launches Series with Baltic States
Partnership for a Secure America is excited to announce a new partnership with the Embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for 2017 titled The Worldview Series: Baltic States. This is the third installment of PSA’s program, The Worldview Series which aims to build deeper understanding of the important decisions American policy-makers face regarding U.S. foreign policy. The Embassies and PSA have designed this program to improve congressional insight on the Baltic States to better inform U.S. foreign policy decisions on Capitol Hill.
The series features off-the-record events with leading transatlantic experts from government, think tank, and business arenas. Focusing on a holistic understanding of the Baltic States’ histories, relations with the United States, and security situation, this program aims to build understanding of the important decisions American policy-makers face regarding US-Baltic relations.
The Embassies of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are educational participants in the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act, authorized by the U.S. Department of State.
Madeleine Albright at Bipartisan National Security Forum
Washington, DC – Partnership for a Secure America (PSA) Advisory Board member and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright discussed the role of the United States in the world today with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) at the Capitol Hill National Security Forum. Albright discussed bipartisanship, the role of the United States in the world, China, and Russia and NATO.
Albright on Bipartisanship
Madeleine Albright began by emphasizing the importance of bipartisanship in resolving national security threats. She explained that bipartisanship is essential for success, calling it the “hallmark of American foreign policy.” On this point, she acknowledged the important role of congressional staffers in advancing bipartisan solutions. Most of all, Albright recommended staffers form relationships and travel on delegation trips with other staffers in order to advance bipartisan solutions. She pointed towards her own friendship with Senator Jesse Helms, which allowed her to produce agreements on foreign policy. Albright finished her remarks by stating that bipartisan solutions would “make the Senate great again.”
America’s Role in the World
Albright promoted the need for a rule-based world order as it prevents the world from devolving into chaos. She explained the consistent involvement of the United States in creating these rules, but she warned that not following through with our self-created rules can weaken our position and image in the international community. When questioned on the topic of advancing human rights in the world, Albright responded, “Why should we worry about people in far away places?…Because our way of life depends on what happens in these other countries,” expressing the necessity of human rights in global peace and security.
China
Secretary Albright emphasized the dangers of not following internationally-accepted rules by pointing towards China, whose actions in the South China Sea are eroding the rule-based world order. China’s island-building, which was deemed illegal, has created more instability in the region. She highlighted that the instability caused by China’s actions supports the need for a rule-based order throughout the world.
Russia and NATO
On the topic of Russia, Albright reaffirmed the importance of NATO as leverage against Russia. With the rising threat that Russia poses to liberal alliances and institutions, Albright underscored that NATO is necessary for defending against armed attacks, but also for advancing the common goals of liberal democracies. She pointed towards Ukraine and Georgia, which have gained confidence in promoting the goals and values of liberal democracies simply by being affiliated with NATO, despite lacking membership.
USIP: A National Security Resource For Congress
On February 8th, Ambassador Bill Taylor, Executive Vice President of the U.S. Institute of Peace and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine discussed the foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States in 2017
NATO Challenges: Turkey & Ukraine
On September 12, Amb. Bill Taylor, Executive Vice President, United States Institute of Peace, and Damon Wilson, Executive Vice President, Atlantic Council, will discuss recent developments and challenges facing NATO due to recent major events
Off-the-Record with Dr. Nadia Diuk
On August 8th, Dr. Nadia Diuk, Vice President at the National Endowment for Democracy, joined participants in the Congressional Partnership Program for an off-the-record dinner discussion on Russian foreign policy. Dr. Diuk discussed Russia’s soft and hard power approaches to global events, including propaganda and military intervention around the world.
Nadia Diuk
Dr. Diuk serves as Vice President, Programs for Europe, Eurasia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a private nonprofit organization funded by the U.S. Congress to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. For over twenty years prior to her appointment as Vice President, she supervised NED programs in Europe and Eurasia, working on programs in support of independent publishing, human rights, alternative culture and strategies for democratic change in East Central Europe before 1989, up to the challenges of the present day.
Dr. Diuk is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She gained a Bachelor of Arts (with honors) in History at the University of Sussex (United Kingdom). Her Master of Philosophy in Russian and East European Studies and Doctorate (D. Phil.) in Modern History were gained at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford.
Off-the-Record with Ambassador William Taylor
On May 24th, Ambassador William Taylor joined participants in the Congressional Partnership Program for an off-the-record dinner discussion on Russian actions in Ukraine. Ambassador Taylor, former Ambassador to Ukraine, also discussed the relations between the United States and Russia.
William Taylor
Ambassador Taylor is the executive vice president at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Earlier, he was the special coordinator for Middle East Transitions in the U.S. State Department. He oversaw assistance and support to Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Syria. He served as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 to 2009.
He also served as the U.S. government’s representative to the Mideast Quartet, which facilitated the Israeli disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. He served in Baghdad as the first director of the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office from 2004 to 2005, and in Kabul as coordinator of international and U.S. assistance to Afghanistan from 2002 to 2003. Ambassador Taylor was also coordinator of U.S. assistance to the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. He earlier served on the staff of Senator Bill Bradley.
He is a graduate of West Point and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and served as an infantry platoon leader and combat company commander in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and Germany.
Civil Non-Violent Resistance: Why it Works and Why it Matters
Dr. Maria Stephan, Senior Policy Fellow at the US Institute of Peace, and two prominent activists who led civil resistance campaigns in conflict zones discussed the importance of non-violent resistance