International Affairs conference

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Defining Leadership: the role of the United States in the World

The 2004 conference examined the United States' role in the 21st century, an apropos subject during an election year.  Viewpoints of US foreign policy and their implications were presented. We also examined how the world views the United States and how Americans see themselves. Topics discussed over the course of the weekend included the United States' involvement in nation building, the role of the United Nations, and our country's role in the global economy. We also considered the conditions under which Americans willing support the projection of American military power abroad. The conference concluded with a discussion of how to reach a consensus on the proper leadership role for the United States in the years and decades ahead. 

Some of our notable speakers included Council Chairman, Tom Campbell; Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland; former Ambassador to NATO Robert Hunter; James Dobbins, Director, International Security and Defense Policy Center, RAND Corporation and former US Special Envoy for Afghanistan; Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow and Director of Europe Studies, Council on Foreign Relations; Walter Russell Mead, Senior Fellow in US Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations and Contributing Editor, Los Angeles Times; Elena Poptodorova, Bulgarian Ambassador to the US; Daniel Yankelovich, Founder and Chairman, Viewpoint Learning Inc. and Public Agenda and founder of the New York Times/Yankelovich Poll; and Leon Fuerth, the National Security Advisor to former Vice President Al Gore.

2004 US Leadership Conference Program includes a complete list of topics, speakers, and activities.