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Dear Friends,
Welcome to this week's WorldBoston Recommends email, highlighting high-quality programming for the upcoming week, special opportunities, and event recordings, whether our own, from other World Affairs Councils, or other excellent venues.
We hope these recommendations help you stay internationally engaged, wherever you may be.
Best regards,
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Mary P. Yntema
President & CEO
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What Does the Fall of the Assad Regime Mean for Syria and the Middle East?
Monday, December 16
11:00 – 11:45 AM ET
The sudden collapse of the Assad regime and the opening of a new chapter in Syria’s conflict-ridden story is the latest in a fraught period that has seen an of escalation of tensions in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. What explains the Assad regime’s sudden demise and the ascendance of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other Sunni Islamist organizations? And what is the best policy on Syria for the incoming U.S. administration? Join the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace for their next event when they host Sanam Vakil, Charles Lister, and Aaron David Miller.
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Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves
Monday, December 16
2:00 – 2:45 PM ET
The Department of Commerce plays a vital role in shaping and implementing policy at the intersection of national and economic security. From managing export controls to securing supply chains and promoting critical technologies like semiconductors and AI, the department sits at the center of many key national security policy debates facing the United States. Join the Center for a New American Security for their next event when they host Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves who will take stock of the Department’s work in these areas during the Biden administration and share his thoughts on challenges and opportunities for the United States.
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Growing Consensus on China: Real or Imagined?
Tuesday, December 17
3:00 – 4:00 PM ET
Has the Washington policy community reached a durable consensus of views on the best policy approaches to China, or is there a diversity of viewpoints? How do career motivations and reputational considerations affect how national security professionals modulate their policy recommendations? Join the Center for Strategic and International Studies to learn more. The event will include expert speakers: Scott Kennedy, Rory Truex, Michael B. Cerny, Jessica Chen Weiss, Robert Daly, and Elizabeth Economy.
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The War in Ukraine in 2025 and Beyond-Tell Me How This Ends with Michael O’Hanlon
Wednesday, December 18
12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Join the World Affairs Council of Greater Reading for their next event when they host Michael E. O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, where he specializes in U.S. defense strategy, the use of military force, and American national security policy. O'Hanlon will speak about the future of the conflict in Ukraine next year and beyond.
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Women, Peace, and Security
Wednesday, December 18
5:30 – 7:30 PM ET
Join the Finnish Consulate in Boston for an inspiring panel discussion that showcases Finland’s global leadership in women-led security initiatives, civil society in voluntary national defense, and the Women, Peace, and Security framework. This engaging conversation will feature distinguished panelists exploring Finland's pioneering practices and their relevance in today’s global security landscape. The event will feature experts: Anne Nurminen, Miia Iivari, Suvi Aksela, and Dr. Robert Neer.
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Middle East Dialogues: A Conversation with H.E. Tzipi Livni
Thursday, December 19
12:00 – 1:30 PM ET
Join the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs for their third installment of Middle East Dialogues. The Belfer Center will host MEI Faculty Chair Professor Tarek Masoud and H.E. Tzipi Livni, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Vice Prime Minister of Israel. The Middle East Dialogues is a series of frank, open, and probing encounters with vital and varied perspectives on the current conflict, its causes, and the prospects for peace and progress in the region.
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The Korea-America Student Conference (KASC) is a student-led, academic and cultural exchange program to build closer ties between young leaders in both countries. Each year, an equal number of students from the US and South Korea are competitively selected to spend time together in the summer, studying and analyzing US-South Korea relations while visiting diverse regions in both host countries. The conference will take place from July 12th – July 26th 2025. Applicants must be enrolled in university and have good academic standing and be proficient in English. The application closes December 22nd.
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The Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) is a student-led exchange program, initiated in 1934 by university students concerned by the breakdown of bilateral relations prior to the Second World War. Today, an equal number of students from the U.S. and Japan are competitively selected each year to spend three weeks together, studying and analyzing Japan-U.S. relations while visiting three to four diverse regions in the host country. The conference will take place in Kyoto, Osaka, Kunamoto, and Tokyo from July 31st to August 21st, 2025. Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students. The application closes on December 27th.
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Are you interested in bringing the world into your classroom? Do you want to inspire your students to be globally engaged? The National Museum of American Diplomacy is offering an hour-long program for professionals in education to share how to introduce and incorporate diplomacy and global perspectives into a school curriculum. This program is completely free and will take place seven times over the next 4 months.
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Want to be a part of WorldBoston’s Dinner Diplomacy program? Engage with international professionals of visiting delegations for a meal at your home. We often have opportunities to get involved! Hosting in an informal setting allows you to meet distinguished visitors from all over the world and learn more about their country, culture, and professional expertise. Dinner Diplomacy can take various forms, from brunch to afternoon tea to a sit-down dinner with small groups. Reach out to Sarah Sibley, Vice President of Citizen Diplomacy (ssibley@worldboston.org) to learn more about upcoming opportunities!
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The Alumni Resource Center (ARC) is an online career development hub for U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni. ARC provides ExchangeAlumni with courses, trainings, and other resources to develop professional skills and abilities, market themselves, and explore careers in and outside of public service. The Alumni Resource Center is offering a new online course, Seize the Advantage: Understanding Non-Competitive Eligibility. This course will explore non-competitive eligibility and how you can leverage this unique opportunity to apply for federal jobs. You must be a U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni and a member of the Alumni Resource Center.
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Writing Opportunities
Are you interested in writing about international affairs? Below are opportunities for you to submit your pieces to publications nationwide!
- WorldBoston Event Reporting: Volunteer to write an event recap about one of our Global Engagement events or public programs, to be posted on our website blog and social media. For more information, please email Harrison Zeiberg, Manager of Global Engagement and Operations.
- WorldBoston's #BostonPhotoFriday: We want to see your pictures of Boston! As part of our #BostonPhotoFriday series, we would like to feature our community's photos on our social media. For more information, please email Harrison Zeiberg, Manager of Global Engagement and Operations.
- The Journal of Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: This quarterly journal is accepting submissions of features and essays, as well as online exclusive submissions to appear on their website on a rolling basis. Submit your piece here.
- Realist Review Article Submission: This policy publication is accepting submissions from anyone interested in writing a commentary or analysis piece that expresses a perspective on policies or developments in international affairs and diplomacy. Submit your work here.
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