Catch up on the latest news and commentary from the Pacific Council. NEWSLETTER / June 25, 2020 The Pacific Council’s biweekly Newsletter shares international affairs commentary and analysis by our members and experts plus news from the Council and recaps of our recent events. SUPPORT THE COUNCIL The Council has pressed forward on local issues that have global ramifications for 25 years. Between the pandemic and cries for social justice reform, the country and LA are experiencing the clearest local-to-global links we have witnessed in this lifetime. Please consider donating today to support our commitment to global engagement. donate today >> ANALYSIS ADDRESSING SYSTEMATIC INEQUALITIES IS CRUCIAL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY Sohaela Amiri, PRGS Fellow at the RAND Corporation and a PhD candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School One of the many lessons of this pandemic is that subnational entities like cities and non-governmental actors have proven they are the indispensable factors that have contributed significantly to combating the global crisis of the century. read more >> CHINA'S RISE AS A MILITARY POWER Jongsoo Lee, Center Associate at Harvard University's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies For a Japanese perspective on China’s ascendancy as a military and maritime power, Jongsoo Lee interviews Narushige Michishita, vice president and professor at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo. read more >> THE UNEXPECTED CONNECTION: SOCIAL UNREST IN THE UNITED STATES AND CHILE Samantha Pettigrew, Communications Associate at the International Council on Clean Transportation The United States seems to be taking plays out of the South American oppressors’ handbook on its own citizens, something I never thought I’d see in America. read more >> MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ELISE BUIK Elise Buik, executive director of United Way of Great Los Angeles, discusses her current work during the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way’s role in a place like California, and the relevance of the Pacific Council right now. read more >> TURKEY'S 'BLUE HOMELAND' DOCTRINE TAKES SHAPE IN LIBYA Henri Barkey, professor of international relations at Lehigh University Erdogan's adventurism could precipitate a deeper conflict and crisis in the Mediterranean region, extending north toward Greece. read more >> More News and Analysis EVENT RECAPS LESSONS LEARNED FROM COVID-19: EAST ASIAN PERSPECTIVES The Pacific Council recently hosted a webcast on Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan's responses to COVID-19 and what they learned through the process of re-opening. The discussion featured Ambassador Abraham Wen-Shang Chu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles; Consul General Akira Muto, Consul General, of Japan in Los Angeles; and Consul General Kyung Jae Park, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles. listen >> THE FUTURE OF U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONS AND ISRAELI FOREIGN POLICY "More countries in the Middle East are acknowledging and cooperating with Israel, including diplomatic missions, peace agreements, direct flights, playing the national anthem at sporting events, etc.," said Dr. Hillel Newman in a recent webcast discussion about the future of U.S.-Israel relations. "This is progress since Israel’s creation." read more >> COVID-19 AND IRAN'S POLITICAL FUTURE "Iran will likely try to run out the clock until the U.S. elections until they make any big moves," Hamed Behravan said in a recent webcast discussion about how COVID-19 impacted Iran's politics. "There will be major economic challenges and we’ll likely see a corresponding significant rise in unrest." watch and read more >> U.S. POLICY TOWARDS VENEZUELA The Pacific Council recently hosted a webcast discussion with Carrie Filipetti, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cuba and Venezuela in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, about what Venezuelans are doing to restore their democracy. watch >> watch and read more >> U.S.-TALIBAN PEACE TALKS "Will the Taliban be able to articulate their ideology in a way that is understood by women, minorities, and different generations?" Shamila Kohestani said in a recent webcast discussion on the state of U.S.-Taliban negotiations. "How will they want women to be a part of the Afghan government? The Taliban has not been able to provide anything to make Afghan women more comfortable about coming to the table." More Recaps EDGERTON SERIES The Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China aims to provide proactive and forward-looking solutions to some of the most complex local, regional, and global issues facing the United States and China today, through regular engagement in debates and discussions with the foremost experts in Chinese affairs. The Edgerton Series is made possible by generous support from the Edgerton Foundation. register >> THE 23rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE HANDOVER AND THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG Wednesday, July 1 / 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. PT The fourth installment of the Edgerton Series on Responding to a Rising China, featuring Dr. Jeffrey Wasserstrom of UC Irvine and Joanna Chiu of the Toronto Star on the future of Hong Kong. Open to the public. More Events BECOME A MEMBER Members of the Pacific Council become part of a community of thoughtful, concerned global citizens whose experience informs smart policy and discourse. We connect you to a network of leaders, bring you in on both live and virtual discussions with global thinkers, and invite your ideas to contribute to public discourse and improved policy. learn more about membership >> SUBSCRIBE Sign up for our biweekly email Newsletter to receive the latest news and commentary from the Pacific Council on International Policy. stay informed >> STAY CONNECTED Pacific Council on International Policy | 725 S. Figueroa St., Ste. 450, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Unsubscribe [email protected] About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected]