Richard Haass

Visionary thinker Richard Haass delivers unparalleled insights that will help anyone, experts and non-experts alike, become more globally literate so they can better navigate our fast-changing world. Modeled on his book The World: A Brief Introduction, this presentation provides audiences with the essential background and building blocks needed to answer the critical questions generated by today’s headlines. With the tectonic plates of international relations constantly moving, this is a critical time for individuals, businesses, and organizations to understand what is taking place around the world, why it is taking place, and how it affects our lives and our work. In this talk, Haass will elucidate the essential history, point out what makes each region of the world (and the most important countries) tick, analyze the most challenges globalization presents, and explain the ideas most critical for understanding international developments and why they matter.

Richard Haass, New York Times bestselling author and president of the Council on Foreign Relations, argues in his forthcoming book, "The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens," that the greatest threat to the United States comes from within. He believes American democracy can only survive and thrive if the concept of citizenship is revised to balance rights with obligations. Haass contends that addressing internal issues like apathy, anger, selfishness, division, disinformation, and violence is crucial. Attendees will learn how redefining citizenship can help preserve and strengthen American democracy.

We are living in the most dangerous decade since World War II, surpassing even the Cold War's most fraught period. A mix of geopolitics, global issues, and U.S. domestic challenges are creating a vicious cycle. Internationally, Russia's war against Ukraine, China's rise, North Korea's expanding arsenal, and Iran's nuclear development threaten global order. New challenges like climate change, pandemics, and terrorism have emerged, while international institutions struggle due to diplomatic fallout. Additionally, a divided and inward-looking United States hinders effective foreign policy. Attendees will learn about these complex dynamics and their implications from [Person's Name].

Richard Haass argues that America's greatest threat comes from within, not abroad. In his presentation based on his book "Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order," Haass highlights issues like the national deficit, crumbling infrastructure, poor education, and outdated immigration policies. He proposes a "Restoration" foreign policy, focusing on strengthening the U.S. economy and avoiding military interventions in the Middle East. Instead, he advocates for maintaining power balance in Asia, economic integration in North America, and addressing global challenges. Attendees will learn how these strategies can secure America's future and global leadership.

Richard Haass covers where this pivotal conflict stands in all of its dimensions, including an account of why it came about when it did; an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the various US/Western policy responses, from military transfers and the strengthening of NATO to economic sanctions and energy shipments to Europe; a prediction of what is likely to come next on the ground given Ukrainian and Russian military strategies and capacities along with the consequences for diplomacy and Russia; a catalogue of the projected winners and losers and those in between; and, most importantly, an explanation of how this conflict will and will not change the 21st century world.