US-China climate relations: Innovation, competition, and global implications

Monday, January 13th

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET

As the global race for climate leadership intensifies, both the United States and China play crucial roles in shaping the future of climate action, green technologies, and energy innovation. Washington and Beijing face significant strategic challenges in navigating competition and cooperation on clean energy, carbon reduction technologies, and the transition to sustainable economies, all while confronting the urgent global threat of climate change. Join the John L. Thornton China Center as they host a high-level discussion on the evolving dynamics of U.S.-China relations on climate change and green technology. Panelists will share key insights and policy recommendations from their recent research, addressing critical topics such as U.S.-China export bans on vital minerals and technologies, investments in clean energy and innovation, and decisions from policymakers in Washington and Beijing to secure global leadership in the emerging green economy.

Innovative climate finance in 2025: Evaluating guarantee mechanisms

Tuesday, January 14th

9:00 AM ET

Many left COP29 dissatisfied with the agreement reached that developed countries would provide $300 billion annually in funding to EMDEs by 2035, falling far short of the $1.3 trillion per year that EMDE countries requested. Developing countries want grant funding for projects, arguing that they cannot afford to take on additional debt from loans, even at concessional rates. This session will consider the future of using guarantees for climate investing in 2025 and beyond, including how they may be deployed without an EMDE guarantee, the impacts that COP29 outcomes and new US leadership may have on climate finance flows, and updates on our Emerging Market Climate Investment Compact (EMCIC) project.

North Korea under Kim Jong Un-A Security Challenge with a Few Good Options – with Dr. Terrence Roehrig

Wednesday, January 15th

12:00 – 1:30 PM ET

Join the World Affairs Council of Greater Reading as they host Professor of national security affairs, Terrence Roehrig. Professor Roehrig has been a research fellow at the Kennedy School at Harvard University in the International Security Program and the Project on Managing the Atom. Professor Roehrig will discuss North Korea and its impact on national security.

Meeting DoD’s Innovation Challenge: Adapting and Scaling Cutting-Edge Technology to Enhance Modernization

Wednesday, January 15th

1:00-2:00 PM ET

As the Department of Defense has put greater emphasis on commercial technology for cutting edge capabilities and scalability, a broad range of companies have demonstrated growing interest in contributing to national security. However, despite DoD’s focus on innovation, historic challenges persist, creating difficulties for new vendors who are working to enter the complex DoD marketplace. The Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group (DIIG) will host Liz Young McNally, Louis A. Koplin, and Justin Fanelli, for a livestream event to explore this technology challenge. This discussion will explore what has worked to bring in advanced capabilities, where there are barriers to progress, and what opportunities exist to streamline and improve the adoption of innovation across the DoD.

The Limits of Influence: The Challenge of Translating Security Cooperation Into Leverage

Thursday, January 16th

9:30 – 11:00 AM ET

In an age of strategic competition, where policymakers are increasingly concerned about wooing or losing allies, the influence value of security cooperation and assistance has taken on even more importance and has been used as justification for arms engagements with a number of high-risk partners. But a new report from the Department of State’s International Advisory (ISAB) board offers cautionary insights on the difficulty of measuring, generating, or exercising influence through arms transfers. Join the Stimson Center as ISAB report authors and other experts discuss this new research and explore why there remains such a discrepancy between the assumed and realized value of arms for influence.

Rebuilding Syria

Thursday, January 16th

6:30 – 7:30 PM ET

The decade-long civil war in Syria decimated the country's infrastructure, displaced millions, and created one of the most complex humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Now, Syria stands at a crossroads, with the collapse of the Assad regime offering both immense challenges and extraordinary opportunities. How is this transition affecting Syrians and the millions of refugees worldwide who fled Syria during the civil war? How can the country’s healthcare, education, and infrastructure be rebuilt to address the needs of Syrians who have endured years of conflict? And what role can the international community play in supporting Syria's future? Join us for a conversation with Suzanne Akhras and Zaher Sahloul moderated by Alisa Bhachu as we discuss these questions and more.