A conversation with Dr. Makram-Ebeid will be taking place on December 2nd from 12:30-13:30 on the latest developments in Egypt. Egypt is one of the major countries throughout the Middle East that has been struggling with the aftermath of the Arab Spring in 2011. The recent domestic political changes have indicated the country is at a critical juncture and is currently trying to find a suitable governing structure. With a population of 85 million people, a strategic geographic position in the region, a struggle against terrorists in Sinai, and as the second largest recipient of foreign aid from and close ally to the United States, Egypt is an important country to watch and closely monitor. The upcoming events in the country will determine the governing and democratic foundations of the country and set precedent for successive generations­­­­—and perhaps the wider region.

Climate change acts as an accelerant of instability that the United States will have to respond - both big and small. Dr. Josh Busby, an Associate Professor of Public Affairs at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, will discuss the specific impact climate change is having on Africa.

The way America uses and produces energy remains a hotly debated issue in Washington and around the country. We will discuss the various energy choices available to the United States currently and in the years to come.

Sustainable and controlled fusion power will provide safe, secure, and sustainable energy. Recent advances in research and technology are making fusion an increasingly viable source of energy for the future. Construction is underway right now, with US support, to build ITER, an experiment which will lead to the age of commercial fusion power.

Since sequestration and passage of the new budget the Defense Department has been adjusting to a reduced funding environment – and 2014 won’t be much different. The speaker will discuss the outlook for Pentagon spending in 2014.

Russell Rumbaugh is a senior associate at Stimson and director of its Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense program. He is a widely recognized expert on the institutions, processes, and budgets of US national security

Join us February 10, 2014 at 7pm on the campus of Washington and Jefferson College. In 2014-2015, the American Security Project (ASP) is undertaking a grassroots effort to build a consensus among Americans around the country from left to right, and especially among the non-political, that climate change is not simply a low-priority ‘green’ issue: but instead it is a pressing national security threat.

2014 is a year of opportunity and challenges in public diplomacy. Join us as Ambassador Don Beyer discusses his experiences as Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and explores the role public diplomacy plays in shaping America’s security, foreign policies and relationships abroad.

Join us February 11, 2014 at 12:15pm on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. In 2014-2015, the American Security Project (ASP) is undertaking a grassroots effort to build a consensus among Americans around the country from left to right, and especially among the non-political, that climate change is not simply a low-priority ‘green’ issue: but instead it is a pressing national security threat.

Join us February 11, 2014 at 6pm for a dinner at West View VFW Post 2754. In 2014-2015, the American Security Project (ASP) is undertaking a grassroots effort to build a consensus among Americans around the country from left to right, and especially among the non-political, that climate change is not simply a low-priority ‘green’ issue: but instead it is a pressing national security threat.

Since sequestration and passage of the new budget the Defense Department has been adjusting to a reduced funding environment. The speaker will discuss the outlook for Pentagon spending for FY15 from personnel costs to right sizing the nuclear arsenal.

Paul Adamson, editor of the European magazine E!Sharp and Senior European Policy Advisor, and Peter Rashish, a Senior Advisor for Europe and Transatlantic Trade at Transnational Strategy Group LL, will discuss the key elements of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, key aspects for the U.S. and the E.U., the 2014 trade-political climate, and key issues both parties will face going forward.