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	Description
	Agenda
	Speakers
	About Asilomar
	Registration

From London to Moscow: New Faces, Old Alliances

For the last fifty years, the US has built institutions and alliances with nations on the other side of the Atlantic that have been central to the security and prosperity of its citizens. Today, Europe is changing, with new leadership in several key nations: Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France; Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany; and President Vladimir Putin’s successor in Russia. These transitions, in addition to the expansion of the European Union and the upcoming 2008 US presidential elections, demand a reevaluation of the dynamics of the transatlantic relationships and their international implications. 

The conference will examine how Europe is changing and address such questions as:

• How does new leadership on the continent affect foreign policy both within the European Union and in transatlantic relationships?
• The EU now includes twenty-seven states. How does this evolution, including the economic, political and social challenges faced by the region, affect transatlantic relationships and foreign policy?
• How do these relationships impact the broader global agenda?
• How do the US presidential candidates view Europe, and what policy changes can we expect in 2009?

From London to Moscow: New Faces, Old Alliances brings together a group of distinguished experts and Council members to explore the effects of changing leadership, EU expansion and the future of the transatlantic relationship.  Discussions will critically analyze the internal and external effects of shifts in Europe, Russia and the United States and their impact on foreign policy options and the global agenda.   

The World Affairs Council’s Annual Conference is the most important international affairs conference on the West Coast and held at the scenic Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Peninsula. Join the experts, the discussions and your colleagues of all ages to examine the foreign policy challenges we face in the immediate future.

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Agenda

Friday, May 2

Chairman’s Welcome

Jim Hoagland, Columnist and Senior Foreign Correspondent, The Washington Post 

Keynote Address: Transatlantic Relations in the 21st Century

General James L. Jones, USMC (ret), former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR)

Plenary 1:  US-European Relations: Praise France, Remember Germany, Confront Russia,….and Watch Great Britain

Kurt Volker, Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, US State Department

Simon Serfaty, Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, Senior Adviser, Europe Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Changing leadership in Europe and the United States raises both a question and a challenge.  How are the major transatlantic relationships evolving and, in what direction?  The phrase—punish France, ignore Germany, forgive Russia— attributed to then National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in 2003 was an apt description of US policy towards continental Europe’s major powers at that time. Today, however, Sarkozy’s France, Merkel’s Germany and Putin’s Russia demand a different approach. Add to this, Prime Minister Brown in Great Britain, and more complex relationships with the previously favored allies: Italy, Spain and Poland, and it is clear that times may have changed; however, the question remains as to how foreign policies will reflect these altering dynamics.

Saturday, May 3

Plenary 2: US-Russia; Europe-Russia – Post-Putin

Dmitri Trenin, Deputy Director, Carnegie Moscow Center

Nina Khrushcheva, Senior Fellow, World Policy Institute, New School for Social Research

Edward Lucas, Central European and Russian Correspondent, The Economist

Is Russia lost in transition?  As the presidential elections are slated to take place in March 2008, who will be the next leader of Russia, and what role may President Putin continue to play in the government? As Russia’s new oil wealth and booming economy has grown, so too has Russia’s willingness to challenge its neighbors, Europe and the United States in the world political arena.  How will new leadership affect this?  What kind of bilateral or trilateral relationship can we expect in the future?

Breakout Sessions: Part I

a. Russia and the Near Abroad 

b. European Governance

c. Energy

Plenary 3: Evolution, Expansion: Where is Europe Heading?

Omer Taspinar, Turkey Project, Center on the United States and Europe, The Brookings Institution

The European Union now has twenty-seven states and continues to grow. How does this evolution, including the economic, political and social challenges faced by the region affect transatlantic relations?  What countries are under serious consideration for admission to the EU and how might this affect the EU.  Without a constitution but with the Lisbon Treaty what is the likelihood that the EU will become even more integrated with a common economic, political and security policy?  What is the EU position on immigration, migration, globalization, and nationalism?  What are the scenarios for the future? 

Breakout Sessions: Part II

a. Turkey and the EU

b. European Identity

c. NATO

Saturday Night Keynote Speaker

Saturday Night Musical Entertainment

The Slavonian Traveling Band

A tamburitza orchestra performance typical of the Balkan region, followed by evening cocktails and refreshments.

Sunday, May 4

Plenary 4: Transatlantic Dimensions of The Global Agenda

Fredrick Barton, Co-Director of Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies

John Hulsman, Alfred von Oppenheim Scholar in Residence, German Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin

US policy in the Middle East has been predicated on support from key leaders around the world.  Changes in leadership in Europe and shifting public opinion have systematically diminished this support.  What changes can we expect in the transatlantic relationships and how will these affect the broader global agenda?

Chairman’s Concluding Remarks

Jim Hoagland, Columnist and Senior Foreign Correspondent, The Washington Post 

Conference adjourns 

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confirmed Speakers

Frederick Barton

Co-Director of Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns (keynote speaker)

Former Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, US State Department

Jim Hoagland (Conference Chair)

Columnist and Senior Foreign Correspondent, The Washington Post

John Hulsman

Alfred von Oppenheim Scholar in Residence, German Council on Foreign Relations, Berlin

General James L. Jones (Keynote speaker)

USMC (ret.); former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR)

Jan Kalicki

International Counselor, Chevron Corporation

Nina Khrushcheva

Senior Fellow, World Policy Institute, New School for Social Research

Edward Lucas

Central European and Russian Correspondent, The Economist

Simon Serfaty

Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy, Senior Adviser, Europe Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Kathryn Stoner-Weiss

Associate Director for Research and Senior Research, Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law,Stanford University

Omer Taspinar

Turkey Project, Center on the United States and Europe, The Brookings Institution

Dmitri Trenin

Deputy Director, Carnegie Moscow Center

Kurt Volker

Acting Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, US State Department

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About Asilomar

Since 1913, The Asilomar Conference grounds have hosted conferences, first as a YWCA Retreat center, and now as a California State Park.  The Julia Morgan-designed structures embrace the Arts and Crafts architectural style and were designated as a National Historic landmark in 1987.  Nestled along the shoreline of California's famed Monterey Peninsula, the grounds include white sand beaches and Monterey pine, cypress and oak forests, along with ecologically significant sand dunes.  The name Asilomar is derived from the Spanish "asilo" meaning retreat or refuge and "mar" meaning sea.  The conference grounds truly are a "refuge-by-the-sea." The Annual Conference offers a full agenda but there is still time for recreation.  Take a break from the conference or extend your stay to enjoy other Asilomar activites, such as biking, bird watching and walking along the beach.  Or explore the surrounding areas by visiting the world-famous Monterey Aquarium; playing golf at or taking the scenic drive through Pebble Beach; shopping and exploring galleries; or hiking at Pt. Lobos State Reserve.

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Scholarships

Support our students.  Scholarships for 70 students and 10 teachers are made possible by the generous contributions of Council supporters.  You may donate to the Education Fund during the registration process to provide opportunities for future world leaders to learn about international issues.

Registration

Please choose between On-site (with lodging) and Off-site (no lodging).

Please note, the following are member rates per person.  Please add $60 for each attending non-member, except for full-time students and teachers at accredited schools. This first time member rate includes a one-year World Affairs Council membership, which provides free access to non-partisan programs focused on international issues, as well as special event rates and discounts from Council partners.

*Online registration is now closed*

On-site Registration

Includes two-nights lodging, six meals, all programs, some activities and registration fees.

Please contact the Asilomar Registrar if you are interested in:

• Three or more people sharing a room
• Student rates for shared rooms
• Special rates for children 17 and under when accompanied by two adults

Please note:

• A limited number of single accomodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• On-site registration options are only available to those attending the entire conference (Friday - Sunday).

Off-site Registration

Includes all meals, all programs, some activities and registration fees.  NO lodging included.

More Information

Program, chartered bus and activity schedules, as well as directions to Asilomar and additional general information will be mailed to all registrants in early April.  

For more information, please contact:

Asilomar Registrar

Tel: 415.293.4648
Fax: 415.982.5028
registrar@wacsf.org

World Affairs Council of Northern California

312 Sutter Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94108

Cancellation

Cancellations must be received in writing. A service fee of $25 will be charged for registrations cancelled on or before April 1.  From April 2-15, the cancellation fee will be 75% of the total fee; if the space is resold, the cancellation fee will be reduced to $100.  A $25 service charge will be made on cancellations for the off-site registration at any time on or before April 15.  No refunds after April 15.

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