Connecting New Mexicans To The Dynamic World Of Foreign Affairs

Meet our 11 Committee Chairs/Members and enjoy sweets/hot drinks from our various Sister Cities.

Life as a Foreign Correspondent.
I spent time subbing in for TIME Magazine’s London and Middle East bureau chiefs in 2011 through 2013. Plus I’ve covered spot assignments on four continents, such as the earthquake in Haiti, terror attacks in Paris in 2015, mining in western Australia, etc. I’ll talk about my time as a foreign correspondent, how I selected topics to cover, how correspondents can influence decision makers, how I got my work heard by the public and constraints put upon foreign correspondents by publications.

Presenter: Jay Newton-Small
Jay Newton-Small is a talented storyteller who has dedicated her career to pulling the threads of narrative out of people and putting them to the page. In November 2024, Jay began her current position as an Executive Editor and Vice President of the Albuquerque Journal. Before the Albuquerque Journal, Jay authored 2016 best-seller, Broad Influence: How Women are Changing the Way America Works, served as a Washington Correspondent for TIME Magazine and Bloomberg News, and founded MemoryWell, a national network of 1,000 writers who tell the life stories of seniors to help improve their care. She has authored nearly a dozen cover stories for TIME and spent time serving as London and Middle East bureau chief for the magazine. Jay has an M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University and undergraduate degrees in International Relations and Art History from Tufts University.

A discussion of Trump’s extremely novel approach to trade relations with allies and adversaries alike, the floating tariff levels he has used as leverage in those trade negotiations, and the Supreme Court on his tariffs that, by coincidence, will be argued the week I travel to New Mexico. We may not know the Supreme Court outcome yet, but we do know that trade and tariffs will be in the headlines that week.
Presenter: Nelson W. Cunningham was most recently Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment. In 2024, President Biden nominated him to be Deputy US Trade Representative, but the Senate failed to act on his nomination.

He is the co-founder and former president of McLarty Associates, advising US and multinational companies, foundations and universities on economic and policy issues around the globe. Since 1998, he helped grow McLarty Associates into a global firm with a team of 100 experts in 20 countries, and spearheaded the opening of offices in Brussels, Beijing, Singapore, and New Delhi. Before founding McLarty Associates, he worked in the Clinton White House on Latin American and trade issues, and previously was General Counsel to Senate Judiciary Chair Joseph R. Biden.

Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Trita Parsi, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

Jody Olsen, Former Director of the Peace Corps, 2018 to 2021

Standard registration is $20, student registration is free. Registration includes event attendance, continental breakfast, and lunch.

Register here

The global order is facing a fork in the road. As the world continues to move away from the unipolar structure born after the end of the Cold War, there is not only a risk of the collapse of the multilateral system and international law as a whole, but there is also the risk of the system fracturing into competing and rival orders. This would create a far more unstable and dangerous situation than what existed during the Cold War.

The Better Order Project was launched to find a path to rejuvenate the multilateral system through necessary reforms that make the order better reflect the realities of today, while strengthening norms and laws that help uphold stability. The project contends that the way forward is neither the promotion of a coalition of like-minded states under the so-called rules-based international order, nor the advent of a rival order dominated by other great powers. The increasingly diffuse balance of power and the rising influence of the Global South together ensure that no state — or group of states — can set the terms of the international order unilaterally.

Presenter: Dr. Trita Parsi is the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute. He is an award-winning author and the 2010 recipient of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. He is an expert on US-Iranian relations, Iranian foreign policy, and the geopolitics of the Middle East. He has authored four books on US foreign policy in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Iran and Israel. He has been named by the Washingtonian Magazine as one of the 25 most influential voices on foreign policy in Washington DC for five years in a row since 2021, and preeminent public intellectual Noam Chomsky calls Parsi “one of the most distinguished scholars on Iran.”

His first book, Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States (Yale University Press, 2007), won the silver medal winner of the 2008 Arthur Ross Book Award from the Council on Foreign Relations. His second book, A Single Roll of the Dice – Obama’s Diplomacy with Iran (Yale University Press, 2012) and was selected by Foreign Affairs as the Best Book of 2012 on the Middle East.

In the post-Cold War era, US diplomacy has atrophied, with the military becoming the primary tool of foreign policy. But heavy investment in the US military has proven insufficient for securing the country’s strategic priorities. As the era of US hegemony wanes and the world becomes increasingly multipolar, there is a need to rethink the role of diplomacy in the US toolkit while re-sizing the military to fit a narrower mission set.

Presenter: Evan Cooper is a Research Analyst in the Reimagining US Grand Strategy Program. Previously, he served as a junior fellow and associate director in the Atlantic Council’s New American Engagement Initiative. Cooper’s work focuses on improving US diplomatic engagement through overlooked areas of shared interests, including cultural diplomacy, healthcare, and commerce. Cooper holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University, with a focus on international security. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Chapman University.

Global Ties – Albuquerque is hosting a group of international visitors and this will be a
panel discussion covering such subjects as women as leaders in the political system,
programs to encourage young women to participate in civic activities, the role of
women’s organizations, and legislation and programs that promote equal pay and fair
treatment of women in the workplace among others. Additionally, the panelists will
speak of their own interests and talk about their country.
This will be a moderated panel with a following Q & A.

Panel Members:
Erten Anisova, Member of Parliament-Bulgaria
Laura Luisa Nayar Sosa, Legislator, Chamber of Deputies-Bolivia
Evgi Sadegie, Managing Director, Shariva-Germany
Howaida Mahdi, Manager, Jesuit Refugee Services-Iraq
Antonia Ciuzenska, Regional Secretary, Polska 2050 Szymona Holowni-Poland
Marlia Pysarenko, Advisor, Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries-Ukraine

AIA’s June program will feature a documentary and presentation on the “Courageous Women of Sri Lanka.” The film presents the story of how low-income women created and led a credit and savings association that has helped transform both individual lives and communities in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Colombo is a microcosm of the global challenge to improve family incomes and upgrade low-income settlements within cities. There are over 1,300 informal settlements scattered throughout Colombo, housing approximately 87,000 mostly extremely low-income families. The film is a story of the resilience of women and communities despite 30 years of war and political and economic turmoil. Both the film and the presentation will explore the major challenges of upgrading informal settlements, drawing upon Mr. Polk’s extensive work across the globe.

Greg Polk was project leader on a United Nations funded program to upgrade informal settlements in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Tanzania and Ghana. In recent years he has taken up documentary film making and his films include New Mexicans Taking Action on Plastic Waste, Embroidered Connections: The Artisans of Bukhara, and Youth Star Cambodia: Growing Future Leaders. He is also founder and director of the New Mexico Documentary Incubator Grants Program (NMDIG). Greg holds a master’s degree in city planning from MIT and has worked in both the private and public sectors including as housing development director for the City of Albuquerque in the 1990s. During the last 20 years of his career, he worked as an international development consultant in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

From Sardinia to New Mexico
A Documentary by Kristina Jacobsen

From Sardinia to New Mexico explores an experience in cultural exchange between New Mexico (United States) and Sardinia. The 15-minute documentary follows the interaction between students at the University of New Mexico and singers from various Sardinian towns, reflecting on how learning traditional singing can act as a bridge for intercultural understanding. Through a personal and analytical approach, the film narrates a story of sharing and growth through the experience of oral tradition music and transmission.

MANTÈNNERE – Holding the Sacred Sound
A documentary by Diego Pani

The documentary Mantènnere explores the cultural and social significance of traditional multipart singing in Santu Lussurgiu, Sardinia, focusing on the transmission of this practice between two generations of singers. The 55-minute documentary follows the Cuncordu ’e su Rosariu, a singing group which has accompanied Holy Week rituals since the 1970s, and Sos Zovanos de Su Rosariu, a younger group gradually assuming this role. Set against the backdrop of the mediatization of traditional music, the film highlights the impact of numerous research campaigns conducted in the village from the 1980s to the present, which have shaped the evolving identity of these musical traditions. Told fromthe perspective of a Sardinian ethnomusicologist from this village,, the film captures the intimate emotional connection to these sacred singing practices. Mantènnere ultimately examines how ritual, music-making, and community are interwoven, questioning how tradition is preserved and transformed in the face of external scholarly and media influences.

The nations of East and Southeast Asia face a number of security challenges including China-Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the North Korean nuclear threat. China’s expanded trade and role in regional infrastructure development has led to its greater influence in shaping the future of the region. The impact of climate change, aging populations, income inequality, and social change are also challenging. This talk will look at how a new US administration may face a range of security, economic, and trans-national issues confronting US friends in the region.

Presenter: Ambassador William H. Itoh is Professor of the Practice in the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a Senior Advisor to McLarty Associates, an international business consulting firm.

He had a distinguished career in public service with the Department of State. From 1995-1999 he served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. Prior to his appointment to Bangkok, he was Executive Secretary of the National Security Council at the White House (1993‑1995).

During his career as a Foreign Service Officer, Ambassador Itoh served abroad in the U.S. Embassy in London (1976‑1978) and as the U.S. Consul General to Western Australia in Perth (1986‑1990), in addition to his assignment in Thailand. His Washington assignments included service in the State Department’s Office of the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the Bureau of Congressional Relations. He was Deputy Executive Secretary and Acting Executive Secretary of the Department of State from 1991‑1993.

Ambassador Itoh is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kenan Institute Asia in Bangkok. He is past Chairman of the Albuquerque Committee on Foreign Relations and past President of the World Affairs Council of Albuquerque.

You may register and pay on the Oasis website oasisabq.org Please note that we may not be able to seat you without an advance reservation. Reservations: All reservations must be made through Oasis. Please register for class 113 at www.oasisabq.org. Additionally, registration can be made by check at Oasis prior to the day of the event. Space is limited to 95 participants, please register early to avoid missing a seat.

Dr. Mohahheghi will speak on Global Security Challenges in the 3rd Nuclear Age and the Cooperative Monitoring Center. His talk will review the three nuclear ages from 1945 to the present, and discuss cooperative approaches to reduce risks to the United States National Security.

Experience the magic of a German-inspired Christkindlmarkt. Enjoy festive treats, unique gifts from local vendors, and heartwarming photos with Santa. All proceeds support the SAFE Program.

Join us for an event on the status, future, and importance of the upgraded alliance between the US and South
Korea (ROK). The strength of the US-South Korean Alliance holds enduring value for the US and local
communities against today’s evolving geopolitical challenges and in pursuing our collective goals of freedom,
democracy, security, and economic prosperity. The conversation will delve into how the US-ROK Alliance
reflects these shared aims and values through all facets of the relationship and the benefit of this relationship for
the American population on both local and national levels. Topics will include how the outcome of the US
presidential election could impact the future of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, and the Alliance’s
role in the US Indo-Pacific strategy and in joint leadership on addressing global issues.
Presenters: Jenny Town : Jenny Town is a Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center and
the Director of Stimson’s Korea Program and 38 North. Her areas of expertise include
North Korea, US-DPRK relations, US-ROK alliance relations and extended deterrence,
and Northeast Asia regional security.
Kevin L. Miller is Georgia Chapter President and Membership Coordinator of the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA).
He served in the United States Army for six years, and for the past 25 years has served in middle and senior
management roles within the defense industry and international sales markets.
Iliana Ragnone (moderator): Iliana Ragnone is a Research Associate for the Korea Program and Producer of 38 North at the Stimson Center. She contributes to 38 North’s satellite imagery portfolio and focuses on security issues.

The panel will explore the subject of immigration with emphasis on Criminal Prosecutions, Current Immigration Situation, The U.S. Southern Border in the Context of World Migration Patterns and the Status of Immigration Administrative Law.

Presenters:
Hon. James Browning, US District Judge
Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney for NM
Carol Suzuki, Professor of Law, UNM
Jennifer Moore, Professor of Law, UNM
Olsi Vrapi, Attorney at Law

The November lecture of the Albuquerque International Association’s continuing international lecture series will be presented by court administration expert Norman Meyer on “Demystifying and Measuring the Rule of Law Worldwide.” The lecture is planned for Thursday, November 14 at 4 pm and will take place in Botts Hall at the Albuquerque Special Collections Library, 423 Central NE.

In an era where the term Rule of Law is frequently invoked yet often misused and misunderstood, this talk aims to demystify its meaning and global significance. Through personal examples from the United States and abroad, including current challenges in Ukraine, the lecture will illuminate efforts to strengthen the Rule of Law and its crucial role in fostering just and equitable societies.

Norman Meyer is a court administration expert after a career as a trial court administrator in state and federal U.S. courts. He has written widely on judicial administration in the U.S. and abroad and has worked with many foreign judiciaries, including the Russian Federation, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania.

2ND MUSIC TOUR OF GRATITUDE FROM THE UKRAINIAN FRONTLINE FEATURING TARAS STOLIAR, OLHA RUKAVISHNIKOVA, YURII IVASKEVYCH, MYKHAILO OLIINYK, SASHA BOOLE, LIUBOV SHIPILIUK, AND MYKOLAI SIERGA WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music and energy with Cimafunk on October 30, sponsored by Global Ties ABQ in partnership with AMP Concerts! Cimafunk, a Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban rockstar, is known for blending Cuban rhythms with funk, afrobeat, and hip hop, creating a revolutionary sound that celebrates his African heritage and Afro-Latin identity. Touring the U.S. and Europe to rave reviews, Cimafunk and his 9-person band, La Tribu, deliver an electric live show that is more than just music—it’s a celebration of groove, culture, and rhythm. Global Ties ABQ members can enjoy a 10% discount on tickets—visit our website to join and learn more!

This lecture will look at the international politics of the post-Cold War wave of democratization around the world, and the more recent reverse wave that has led to an increasing number of authoritarian regimes globally. It will focus most intently on the role of the United States in shaping these global trends and will speculate about possible future trends in the context of the upcoming elections in the United States.

Dr. Mark Peceny is a Professor of Political Science at the University of New Mexico, where he has taught since 1992. He studies democracy, dictatorship and the international system, with special attention to the promotion of democracy in U.S. foreign policy, the subject of his book, Democracy at the Point of Bayonets. He teaches a range of course in international relations and American Foreign Policy. From 2011-2021 he served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New Mexico.

Nearly four years after the insurrection on January 6, far-right violent extremist groups and militias have recalibrated, adapted, and proliferated. The convergence of far-right ideologies and conspiracy theories which created a perfect environment for the attack on the US Capitol is not only present today but has deepened alongside social polarization. This talk will examine the current trends within the violent far-right movement both in the US and globally, and the potential future outlook.

Join us for an exciting night of traditional Celtic music with The Tannahill Weavers on October 3, sponsored by Global Ties ABQ in partnership with AMP Concerts! Known for their fire-driven instrumentals, haunting ballads, and a dash of humor, The Tannahill Weavers bring the rich tradition of Scottish music into the modern world. This is a performance not to be missed, blending history with energy and passion. Global Ties ABQ members can enjoy a 10% discount on tickets—visit our website to join and learn more!

This presentation will explore the increasingly prominent role social media platforms play in shaping the flow of political information during elections. It will analyze how online spaces serve as both a tool for political engagement and a battleground for misinformation. Key topics will include:

• The Rise of Political Influencers: Examining the growing influence of online personalities in shaping political opinions and their vulnerability to manipulation, including foreign interference.
• Susceptibility to Propaganda: Identifying the demographic and psychological factors that make certain populations more susceptible to manipulation and disinformation. Attendees will learn strategies for safeguarding themselves and others against the spread of false or misleading content online.

Associate Professor Jessica Feezell, Ph.D. in Political Science from U.C. Santa Barbara, specializes in American politics, political communication, political behavior, and public opinion. Co-author of The Politics of Energy Crises, Oxford University Press.

The Program: A Pioneering Approach to Clean Energy Development.

Presenter: Dr. Matthew Denman is a Distinguished Reliability Engineer at Kairos Power.

Kairos Power is a mission-driven company singularly focused on commercializing advanced reactor technology in time to impact climate change. At its Albuquerque campus, Kairos Power is piloting critical capabilities to enable the clean energy transition, including advanced reactor component manufacturing, fuel fabrication R&D, modular reactor construction, and large-scale, non-nuclear testing. The work done in Albuquerque will directly contribute to the Hermes demonstration reactor project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee – the first U.S. non-light-water reactor approved for construction in over 50 years. Learn about Kairos Power’s iterative development approach and how Albuquerque will play a key role in deploying a novel clean energy solution with robust safety at an affordable cost.

For further information and to register go to https://wacabq.org/upcoming-programs/

In a lecture titled “How Does Domestic Turmoil Affect U.S. Foreign Policy,” Jeremi Suri, a professor specializing in history and foreign policy, will delve into the complex relationship between internal strife and America’s ability to project itself on the global stage. By examining historical examples, Suri will explore how deep divisions and conflicts within the U.S. can hinder its effectiveness as a leader and how these internal issues are perceived internationally. The lecture aims to address how the U.S. can navigate this challenge and ensure its core interests in foreign policy remain protected.

This talk will explore the successes and failures in securing the release of Americans held captive by adversaries, detailing the tactics used, the patience required, and the frustrations of the start-stop timelines in hostage negotiations. Presenter Mickey Bergman, CEO of Global Reach and VP of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, has spent the past decade freeing Americans from countries like Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela. A special-operations veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, he is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and 2023. The Richardson Center’s record of success highlights their effective approach to this challenging task.

This event challenges the notion that a prolonged, bloody stalemate is the only option in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Instead, it proposes diplomacy as a viable path towards peace. George Beebe, a former CIA analyst specializing in Russia, argues that the US is well-positioned to lead negotiations in 2024.

The discussion goes beyond simply advocating for diplomacy. It delves into the practicalities of such an approach. Beebe will address Russia’s potential receptiveness to negotiations, explore the content of possible agreements that could ensure Ukrainian sovereignty and an end to hostilities, and tackle the crucial issue of enforceability – how to ensure all parties adhere to the terms of any peace deal.

Despite surpassing 8 billion people in 2022 and projections for continued growth, global demographics are far from uniform. This presentation by Kathleen Mogelgaard, president of the Population Institute, dives into this complexity. While some countries like Nigeria anticipate a population doubling, others including China are experiencing decline. Mogelgaard will analyze these contrasting trends and their impact on critical issues like climate change and resource management. By understanding these demographic shifts, we can develop more effective strategies for a sustainable future.

Dr Emile Nakhleh will speak about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its historical basis, the state of affairs in the conflict and the way forward and the United States role in all of this. Dr. Emile Nakhleh is a former Senior Intelligence Service (SIS) Officer (CIA), a Founding Director, Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program at CIA, a former Research Professor and Founding Director, Global and National Security Policy Institute (UNM), a Life Member, Council on Foreign Relations, and a Consultant on the Middle East, political Islam, radicalization, terrorism, and intelligence. Dr Nakhleh writes frequently for Responsible Statecraft. Flyer

In this talk, Dr. Wellesley Pereira, a leader in space research at the Air Force Research Lab, will delve into the current space landscape and its social and economic influence on humanity. He’ll explore the surge of the commercial space industry alongside traditional government programs over the past decade. Dr. Pereira will highlight the critical role space capabilities play in both military and civilian aspects of our lives, from navigation and communication technologies to the potential consequences of losing access to them. By examining the driving forces behind this renewed global space race, the talk will shed light on what lies ahead for space exploration and its impact on society.

The International Studies Institute and the Department of Political Science, with some help from the Latin American and Iberian Institute, at UNM is putting on a series of talks by experts on democracy, both international and domestic. The series is free and open to everyone. It is not being recorded or streamed.