Conversation with Sergii Bondarchuk
Ukraine and its future in the world – energy resources, the European Union, Russia and it’s relations with the Unites States
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - 1230 - 1330
ASP’s Conference Room, 1100 New York Ave., 7th Floor West Tower.

Since the election of Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, the Islamic Republic has sought to strike a deal with the P5+1 in order to end sanctions. Laura Rozen and Barbara Slavin will discuss the latest round of talks. Join us for a conversation on the current state and future prospects for diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program.

The political debate on nuclear power has been stuck on the same debates for 30 years, but the technology has rapidly advanced. What is the outlook for the American nuclear industry? Technology advances will prove that tomorrow’s nuclear is far different from yesterday’s – but can politics catch up? Will Small Modular Reactors prove to be the future? Is there any hope of solving the political deadlock on waste? Governor Whitman will address these questions, and more.

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