The Scowcroft Institute has recorded several of its past events and conferences and will be continuing to record more of its events in the future. Please check this site regularly to watch and listen to Scowcroft Institute events.
2020
The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted the 6th Annual Pandemic Policy Summit via Zoom on December 1 and 2, 2020. Day One featured a keynote address by Rosemary Gibson, a panel giving an overview of the bioeconomy, and a panel covering the challenges and potential of technologies in relation to the bioeconomy. Day Two featured a panel on the legal challenges facing the bioeconomy and a panel on the current pandemic, SARS-CoV-2.
The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service and Dentons hosted a panel on November 19 on the geopolitical implications of the pandemic. Panelists were Sir Dominic Asquith, Andrew Natsios, and Dr. Will Norris, and the panel was moderated by Melissa Mahle.
The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted a panel on November 17 on the potential long-term effects of COVID-19. Dr. Christine Crudo Blackburn, Dr. Glen Laine, and Dr. Gerald Parker served as panelists and Professor Andrew Natsios served as moderator.
On November 10, 2020, the Scowcroft Institute hosted a virtual discussion on the need for international cooperation to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19. Dr. Christine Crudo Blackburn, Deputy Director of the Pandemic and Public Policy Program at the Scowcroft Institute, moderated the program. Professor Keiji Fukuda, Director and Clinical Professor at The University of Hong Kong School of Public Health, and Olga Jonas, Research Associate at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and former economist at the World Bank, served as panelists.
On October 28, 2020, the Scowcroft Institute hosted a virtual book talk by Dr. Valerie Hudson on her recent book, The First Political Order: How Sex Shapes Governance and National Security Worldwide, co-authored with Donna Lee Bowen and Perpetua Lynne Nielsen.
On Oct. 7, 2020, Dr. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, delivered a talk on his recent book, The World: A Brief Introduction. This event was hosted by the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
On September 23, 2020, Dentons and the Scowcroft Institute held a virtual event titled Learning to Live with COVID-19: National Security and Global Supply Chains. The virtual discussion was on the impact COVID-19 has had on national security and global supply chains, and what future implications may be.
On September 21, 2020, the Scowcroft Institute held a virtual event titled Human Intelligence Operations in the Age of AI. Mr. Bruce Valentine discusses the threats challenges faced by HUMINT operations as algorithms increasingly dominate the environment.
On August 31, 2020, the Scowcroft Institute held a virtual event titled America in the World: A History of U.S. Diplomacy and Foreign Policy. Robert Zoellick was the featured guest. Mr. Zoellick has served as Deputy Secretary of State, U.S. Trade Representative, and President of the World Bank. Earlier in his career, Zoellick served as Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury and Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House and Assistant to President George W. Bush.
On July 22, 2020, the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School held a virtual roll-out and discussion of the Fourth Annual White Paper, Pandemic Preparedness and Response in the Age of Technology. Panelists included Christine Crudo Blackburn, PhD; Professor Andrew Natsios; Gerald Parker, DVM, PhD; and Oyewale Tomori, DVM, PhD.
On July 9, 2020, Dentons and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service held a virtual discussion on the effect COVID-19 has had on the economy and the changes that will be implemented to cope with the virus going forward.
On June 30, 2020, this conversation moderated by The Bush School Dean Mark Welsh, covered Secretary Robert Gates’ historic government service, his thoughts on current events, and of course his new book EXERCISE OF POWER: American Failures, Successes, and a New Path Forward in the Post-Cold War World which was released on June 16th by Knopf.
On May 28, 2020, Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Dr. Philip Zelikow shared their historical expertise and global insights during the George and Barbara Bush Foundation and The Bush School of Government & Public Service online event. Jeb Bush opened the program and introduced Elizabeth Cobbs for moderating.
On March 3, 2020, the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted Dr. Dennis Carroll who gave a talk on epidemics and global health threats, including the coronavirus, and their potential effects.
A distinguished panel of University professors discussed the current Coronavirus situation and what to expect at the TAMU Bush School “What’s Next?” event held on Monday, March 2 on the Texas A&M University campus in Rudder Forum.
On February 6, 2020, the France/TAMU Institute (French Center of Excellence) and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School hosted a round table discussion on the genocide of Rwandan Tutsi and its aftermath.
On February 6, 2020, the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs hosted the talk “Reimagining Globalization,” featuring Dr. Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy at the Harvard Kennedy School.
On February 10, 2020, Kim Ghattas, Emmy-award winning journalist and writer who covered the Middle East for twenty years for the BBC and the Financial Times, discussed her new book, Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion and Collective Memory in the Middle East.
- On November 22, 2019, Sir John Major, former Prime Minister of the UK visited the Bush School and delivered a talk, entitledThe Shifting Sands of the World Order, to Texas A&M students, faculty and staff.
- On November 13, 2019, the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs hosted a fireside chat with 22nd Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s Dean Mark Welsh.
- On October 28, 2019, the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted Sir Winston Churchill’s granddaughter, Celia Sandys, for a talk on Sir Winston Churchill’s leadership style and influence.
- On October, 24, 2019, the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted Sir Winston Churchill’s granddaughter, Celia Sandys, for a talk on the time she spent with her grandfather, both at their home in England and as she accompanied him on his many military, political, and private travels across the world.
- In October 1993, two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu, Somalia, forcing the 2nd Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division (2-14) to engage in a fight to reach the soldiers and bring them home. The Scowcroft Institute hosted a film showing of the documentary, Black Hawk Down: The Untold Story, followed by an expert panel with speakers BG William David, Battalion Commander, COL Randall Larsen, Film Director, and Professor Andrew Natsios, former Administrator of USAID.
- On October 15, 2019, The Albritton Center for Grand Strategy and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted Dr. Evelyn Farkas, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia/Ukraine/Eurasia, for a discussion on current and future relations with Russia.
- George H. W. Bush did not intend to make the Middle East a center-piece of his foreign policy, but the invasion of Kuwait changed the focus of the Administration. The Scowcroft Institute hosts a talk by Ambassador Dennis Ross, who discussed President Bush’s priority of the Middle East.
- On September 30,2019, the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs hosted Dr. Marcus Noland, who delivered a lecture titled, North Korea: Sanctions, Inducements, and Purposeful Engagements.
- On September 17, 2019, the Director of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, Professor Andrew Natsios, interviewed Ambassador Winston Lord over Amb. Lord’s book, Kissinger on Kissinger: Reflections on Diplomacy, Grand Strategy, and Leadership.
- The Third Annual Pandemic & Biosecurity Policy Summit discussed the 100th anniversary of the 1918-19 influenza outbreak and consider global health security challenges of the 21st Century. This event is designed to foster strategic dialogue with influential thought leaders, senior U.S. and host country government officials, and pandemic and biosecurity experts about the growing challenges faced by the international community and policy recommendations for strengthening preparedness and response.
- Valerie Plame Wilson, an outed CIA spy, delivered remarks on her experiences and lessons learned during her time in the CIA.
- The Department of International Affairs and the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service present Middle Eastern affairs expert Steven Simon. Simon delivered a lecture on U.S. Policy in Syria and the implications for Syria’s future.
- Former “spy hunter” Robert Booth discusses the threat espionage poses to our national security from the State Department’s perspective, along with economic versus military and diplomatic espionage.
- Jean Becker, Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush, and Andy Card, White House Deputy Chief of Staff to George H.W. Bush and White House Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, will share their experiences with the inner workings of George H.W. Bush’s White House and the Bush style of leadership.
- Ambassador Ron Neumann gave a talk based on diplomacy’s role, why professionalism is needed, America’s current diplomatic posture, and the practices of other major powers. Ronald E. Neumann is the President of the American Academy of Diplomacy. He was Ambassador to Algeria, Bahrain, and Afghanistan as well as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Middle East and a senior officer in Iraq.
- Professor David Shambaugh, a prominent scholar of China and U.S.-China Relations, talked on the ties built, accomplishments, and competition between the world’s two primary powers.
- President George H.W. Bush’s Foreign Policy: An Insider’s Perspective
- Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian gave a presentation focusing on President George H.W. Bush’s foreign policy, underscoring coalition building, the Middle East, China, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- Trial & Error: The Strategic Challenges of America’s War in Afghanistan
- Steve Coll, Dean of Columbia Journalism School, gave a lecture based on his most recent book, Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America’s Secret Wars in Afghanistan.
- Looking Back to Look Forward: Are we prepared for the next pandemic?
- For the past four years, the Scowcroft Institute and its partner organizations have hosted a Pandemic Policy Summit as part of our Pandemic Policy Initiative. The Summit brings together political leaders, researchers, practitioners, and the private sector to discuss issues in pandemic preparedness and biosecurity. The 4th Annual Summit on October 15-16, 2018, focused on the importance of One Health in Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Biosecurity.
- Watch the talk Looking Back to Look Forward: Are we prepared for the next pandemic?
- Bipartisanship and Foreign Policy
- The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs and the Bush Foundation presented a lecture by Dr. Madeleine Albright, 64th Secretary of State, entitled “Bipartisanship and Foreign Policy.”
- Watch the talk Bipartisanship and Foreign Policy
- Xi’s China: What’s Next?
- Three renowned China experts will discuss Chinese affairs under President Xi Jinping and their impact on the world stage for “Xi’s China: What’s Next?” at Texas A&M University.
- Representative Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman
- The Middle East in Flames: An Israeli Perspective
- A Conversation about NATO: Adaptation, Challenges, and Opportunities
- General Denis Mercier was confirmed by the North Atlantic Council as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation on 23 March 2015.
- Watch A Conversation about NATO: Adaptation, Challenges, and Opportunities
- Evolution, Sex, and War
- Drs. Valerie Hudson, Khandis Blake, and Rose McDermott will give a presentation on the key problem facing men—finding trustworthy male allies to ensure their own physical security—and how that quest so profoundly harms women, in addition to making the entire society fragile, predatory, and violent.
- Watch Evolution, Sex, and War
- How Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea Affect U.S. National Security
- Greg Scarlatoiu is the Executive Director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) in Washington, DC. He has coordinated 18 HRNK publications addressing North Korea’s human rights situation and the operation of its regime. He will deliver a talk on how the crimes against the North Korean people affect National Security in the United States.
- Watch How Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea Affect U.S. National Security
- War without an Army: Responding to Infectious Disease Catastrophes in a Globalized World
- Dr. Joseph Fair is a modern-day international disease detective that travels the world in search of plagues before they become global disasters. Fair has authored or co-authored more than 45 peer reviewed articles on virology, public health, emergency response and virus hunting in disease “hotspots” around the world and works as an international outbreak responder has been highlighted by 60 Minutes, the cover of the Washington Post, CNN, Al Jazeera, NPR, Vice News, NBC News, and other media outlets.
- Watch War without an Army
- We Crossed A Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria
- Professor Wendy Pearlman of Northwestern University will give a public lecture based on her acclaimed new book, We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria, called “essential reading” by the New York Times. Based on hundreds of interviews across the Middle East and Europe, this collection of intimate testimonials and poetic fragments offers insight into the human dimension of the Syrian uprising, war, and refugee crisis.
- Watch We Crossed A Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria
- Is the American Alliance System in Asia Becoming Obsolete?
- While the American alliance system in Asia has been fundamental to the region’s security and prosperity for seven decades, today it encounters challenges from the growth of China-based regional organizations. How was the American alliance system originally established in Asia, and is it currently under threat? How are competing security designs being influenced by the United States and China? In Powerplay, Dr. Victor Cha draws from theories about alliances, unipolarity, and regime complexity to examine the evolution of the U.S. alliance system and the reasons for its continued importance in Asia and the world.”
- Watch Is the American Alliance System in Asia Becoming Obsolete?
- NAFTA 2.017: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Ways Forward, with Ambassador Carla Hills
- November 15, 2017
- Ambassador Carla Hills, the trade negotiator under George H.W. Bush who negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement, reflects on the agreement and the importance of trade for the US Economy.
- Watch NAFTA 2.017
- Pandemic Preparedness and Global Health Innovation Forum
- October 17, 2017
- The Pandemic Preparedness and Global Health Innovation Forum is a public event sponsored by the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
- Watch the Pandemic Forum
- The Future of Iraq: Stability, US Role, and the Defeat of ISIS
- September 5, 2017
- A panel discussion examines the future of Iraq and American policy toward Iraq, centered around the recently issued Atlantic Council Task Force report on Iraq.
- Watch The Future of Iraq
- Dr. Bartholomew Sparrow
Scowcroft Legacy Conference
- Former National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley
- Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering and Dr. I.M. “Mac” Destler
- Dr. Jeffrey Engel
- Dr. Mike Desch and Dr. Bartholomew Sparrow
- Closing Remarks
- April 26, 2016
- View the Closing Remarks
- Dr. Peter Hotez
- March 8, 2016
- On March 8, 2016, Dr. Peter Hotez gave a talk on the future of medicine and technology in the face of new and developing diseases. He looks at recent pandemics and outbreaks and discusses how vaccine diplomacy can change the world.
- View the Dr. Peter Hotez talk
- Ambassador Hank Cohen
- February 16, 2016
- On February 16, 2016, Ambassador Hank Cohen gave a talk on what has helped and what has hindered economic development and democracy in Africa since the end of colonization. Inspired by his book “The Mind of an African Strongman: Conversations with Dictators, Statesmen, and Father Figures.”
- View the Ambassador Hank Cohen talk
- Dr. Paul Gregory, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Professor of Economics at the University of Houston
- April 16, 2015
- Dr. Paul Gregory, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Professor of Economics at the University of Houston, gave a talk on “The Russian Economy: Do Sanctions and Low Oil Prices Constrain Putin’s Foreign Policy?”
- View the Dr. Paul Gregory talk
- George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow and Chair in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center
- February 26, 2015
- George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow and Chair in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, gave a Scowcroft Institute International Affairs Seminar on “St. John Paul II: Lessons for Statesmen.”
- View the George Weigel talk
- Jano Rosebiani
- January 26, 2015
- Question and answer session with award-winning filmmaker, Jano Rosebiani, after the screening of his film, “Chaplin of the Mountains.”
- View the Jano Rosebiani talk
- Harley Balzer
- November 18, 2014
- Harley Balzer spoke to the Bush School on “Civil Society, Public Opinion, and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.”
- View the Harley Balzer talk
- 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
- November 10, 2014
- A discussion with Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Secretary James Baker, and General Brent Scowcroft at the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s event, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Liberation of Eastern Europe.
- View the Fall of the Berlin Wall talk
- 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall: Open Plenary Talk
- November 10, 2014
- A talk from Elmar Brok, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s event, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Liberation of Eastern Europe. The celebration took place November 10, 2014.
- View the Open Plenary talk
- 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall: European Practitioner Panel
- November 10, 2014
- A discussion with Elmar Brok, Dr. Sebastian Huluban, and Dr. Horst Teltschik, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s event, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Liberation of Eastern Europe. The celebration took place November 10, 2014.
- View the European Practitioner Panel talk
- 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall: Scholar Panel
- November 10, 2014
- A discussion with Dr. Frederic Bozo, Dr. Christopher Layne, Dr. Joshua Shifrinson, Dr. Gabriela Marin Thornton, and Dr. James Graham Wilson, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s event, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Liberation of Eastern Europe. The celebration took place November 10, 2014.
- View the Scholar Panel talk
- 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall: US Practitioner Panel
- November 10, 2014
- A discussion with Ambassador Robert Hutchings, Ambassador Larry Napper, and Dr. Heather Wilson at the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s event, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Liberation of Eastern Europe. The celebration took place November 10, 2014.
- View the US Practitioner Panel talk
- 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall: Schuman Medal Presentation
- November 10, 2014
- The Schuman Medal presentation to President George H.W. Bush, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service’s event, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Liberation of Eastern Europe. The celebration took place November 10, 2014.
- View the Schuman Medal Presentation
- Reassessing Putin’s Russia: Russia’s Perspective Panel
- November 3, 2014
- A discussion with Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt, David Satter, and Dr. Roger Reese at the Scowcroft Institute’s conference, “Reassessing Putin’s Russia: Tsarist Dinosaur, Failed State, or 21st Century Predator?,” on November 3, 2014.
- View the Russia’s Perspective Panel
- Reassessing Putin’s Russia: Europe’s Perspective Panel
- November 3, 2014
- A discussion with Amb. Temuri Yakobashvili, Dr. James Corum, and Dr. Gabriela Marin Thornton at the Scowcroft Institute’s conference, “Reassessing Putin’s Russia: Tsarist Dinosaur, Failed State, or 21st Century Predator?,” on November 3, 2014.
- View the Europe’s Perspective Panel
- Jasen Castillo, Bush School Associate Professor
- October 30, 2014
- Jasen Castillo, Bush School Associate Professor, spoke about his new book, “Endurance and War.”
- View the Jasen Castillo talk
- Seamus Kraft, Executive Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board, OpenGov
- October 23, 2014
- Seamus Kraft gave a talk on “Governing in the Social Age: Social Media, Software, and Strategies for Success.”
- View the Seamus Kraft talk
- The Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, Founder and Guiding Zen Master of Jungto Society and Buddhist monk and humanitarian activist
- October 21, 2014
- The Venerable Pomnyun Sunim gave a talk on “Understanding North Korea from a Buddhist Perspective.”
- View the Venerable Pomnyun Sunim talk
- Todd Moss, COO for the Center for Global Development
- October 1, 2014
- Todd Moss, COO for the Center for Global Development, gave a talk entitled “Africa on the Rise.”
- View the Todd Moss talk
- Bruce Hoffman, Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
- November 5, 2014
- Bruce Hoffman gave a talk entitled “Winter is Coming: ISIS, Al Qaeda, and America’s continuing wars on terrorism.”
- View the Bruce Hoffman talk
- Scowcroft Institute Army War College Fellows Introduction
- September 9, 2014
- The Scowcroft Institute introduced the Bush School’s Army War College Fellows to students, faculty, and staff.
- “Religion in American War to Diplomacy: A History” by COL Andrew Preston
- April 10, 2013
- Dr. Preston examines how religion has impacted the foreign policy decisions of United States leaders throughout history.
- “America’s Critical International Challenges” by R. Nicholas Burns
- April 1, 2013
- Dr. Burns talks about the current challenges in foreign policy faced by the United States.
- “Into the Desert: Reflections on the Gulf War” by Jeffrey Engel
- April 1, 2013
- Engel presents his book, “Into the Desert: Reflections on the Gulf War,” a reevaluation of the Gulf War’s origins, the war itself, and its regional and long-term impact on international relations.
- Catherine Bertini, Professor, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, and Former Director of the World Food Program (WFP)
- “Changing the Status Quo: Four Bush Administration Initiatives That Improved Nutritional Support in the US and Abroad”
- Watch Catherine Bertini
- Steven Pifer, Director, Arms Control Initiative, Brookings Institute
- “The Opportunity: Next Steps in Reducing Nuclear Arms”
- Watch Steven Pifer
- Mathew Burrows, Counselor for the National Intelligence Council
- “Five Forces Reshaping Our World”
- Watch Mathew Burrowsw
- Josef Joffe, Editor, Die Zeit
- “World War I: A Past That Will Not Go Away”
- Watch Josef Joffe
- “The Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom” by Alan Dobson
- September 14, 2012
- A case by case evaluation of the special political and economic relationship between the United States and United Kingdom in recent history, and what factors have driven this relationship.
