The Abraham Accords One Year Later: Assessing the Impact and What Lies Ahead

Monday, Sept. 13 // 12–1pm (ET)

Nearly one year ago on September 15, 2020, the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain signed the historic Abraham Accords. With this accomplishment, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain charted a new course in the history of Arab-Israeli relations by recognizing the State of Israel and normalizing diplomatic relations. Later that year, two other Arab nations, Sudan and Morocco, followed suit and joined the Abraham Accords, raising the number of Arab States with formal diplomatic ties to Israel from two to six. Today, with the new coalition government in Israel led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, there are new political realities at play.

This discussion will bring together some of the Ambassadors from the Abraham Accords signatory countries for their perspective, one year later. This important diplomatic initiative is key to maintaining and strengthening peace and stability in the region while collaborating on areas of mutual interest.

Rethinking American Grand Strategy

Monday, Sept. 13 // 4–5:30pm (ET)

Most scholars have focused on diplomacy and warfare, so much so that "grand strategy" has become almost an equivalent of "military history." The traditional attention paid to military affairs is understandable, but in today's world it leaves out much else that could be considered political, and therefore strategic. It is in fact possible to consider, and even reach, a more capacious understanding of grand strategy, one that still includes the battlefield and the negotiating table while expanding beyond them.

Birds and Biodiversity in China: A Conservation Bright Spot

Tuesday, Sept. 14 // 9–10:15am (ET)

China lies at the heart of the East Asian-Australasian flyway, the largest and most threatened of the world’s nine migratory flyways, supporting up to 50 million birds on their migratory journeys from as far away as Australia and Alaska. Speakers at this panel will share stories of bird conservation successes and outline the challenges and opportunities to secure the long-term future of China’s birds.

AI and Allies in the Indo-Pacific: Enhancing Shared Security and Defense

Tuesday, Sept. 14 // 10–11am (ET)

The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) issued its final report earlier this year. A key recommendation was that despite significant advantages, the United States cannot create AI systems alone. We need to collaborate with allies, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, to improve capabilities and promote interoperability. Why do these recommendations matter? How can the U.S. work with allies to implement them? Why single out AI? To answer these questions and more, join the Commission and the Wilson Center’s Asia and Science and Technology Innovation Programs for a public conversation.

Inuit: The Arctic We Want

Tuesday, Sept. 14 // 1–3pm (ET)

Join the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute as we welcome ICC Alaska leaders to share their perspectives on the Utqiaġvik Declaration, reflections on its implementation since 2018, and goals in the final year of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) Chair, Dr. Dalee Sambo Dorough. This gathering will feature Inuit priorities across the four membership regions of ICC Alaska and how they relate to the overarching objectives of the ICC.

Confronting the China Conundrum: Perspectives Beyond the United States

Thursday, Sept. 16 // 9–10:30am (ET)

Join us for a discussion on how competition between the United States and China is redefining the political, economic, and security landscape of the Indo-Pacific.