Heard at Heritage

The Trump Administration withdrew from the flawed Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and applied maximum pressure on Iran to attain a stronger and more favorable agreement. But Tehran refused to negotiate and escalated its uranium enrichment, attacks on Arabian Gulf oil facilities, and proxy attacks on the U.S. and its allies. Presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged in September to return to the Iran Deal if Iran is compliant with the agreement. What would this mean in practical terms? What are the potential pitfalls for U.S. policy regarding Iran, nuclear proliferation, and regional security?Join a panel of experts for a timely discussion about what to expect if the US re-enters the Iran Deal and what Congress can do to prevent a dangerous rollback of sanctions on Iran that would make the Middle East, and arguably the world, a less safe place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Nations Charter charges the organization with “promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all.” Sadly, the U.N. has often failed to fulfill this obligation. In particular, the Human Rights Council has demonstrated bias and ineptitude, too often manipulated by the world’s worst human rights abusers. The U.S. left the Council in 2018 after other governments failed to support much-needed reforms to prevent human rights abusers from joining and eliminate discrimination against Israel. It is a tall task to fix a body that, in the words of Amb. Craft, “is a haven for despots and dictators, hostile to Israel, and ineffectual on true human rights crises.” Please join us as Amb. Craft discusses lessons learned and offers suggestions for reforms that would help the Council live up to its purpose. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four decades ago, Bob Woodson founded an organization to identify, connect, and enhance the work of community leaders fighting problems like poverty, addiction, gang violence, and prisoner recidivism. He discovered common traits and principles at work in the extraordinary grassroots leaders he’s worked with over the years. Now he’s sharing these lessons for everyone looking for answers about what can restore wounded lives and communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new era of Great Power Competition is dawning between the U.S., China and Russia, and the struggle for dominance spans all the world’s oceans. The U.S. Navy is turning to meet this new threat, but the fleet has spent recent decades focused on near-coast operations and support for counterterrorism. Now, it must confront rival navies on the high seas and compensate for Chinese and Russian uses of non-military tactics such as hybrid warfare and coercive behavior.>>> Index of U.S. Military StrengthA new era requires new thinking and new concepts of the Navy’s role in America’s security. Join our expert panel for an enlightening discussion on how the Navy can engage and succeed in Great Power Competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last winter, the regulatory system at the FDA, the CDC and CMS delayed the ability of the United States to rapidly develop and deploy COVID-19 testing. These regulatory failures contributed to the rapid spread of COVID and led to lockdowns, and a wave of infections. This time around, the agencies could (and should) enable us to get ahead of the virus by approving rapid self-testing kits for COVID-19.  The FDA has taken steps in this direction, but barriers remain. For example, a cheap rapid test requires a laboratory certificate, even though it can be performed anywhere with no lab equipment.  >>> An Urgently Needed Pivot to End COVID and Cure LockdownsWith the virus rapidly getting worse, action is critical. What steps are needed to cut red tape and put reliable information in the hands of the American people? Why is this step critical, and how will it work alongside a vaccine?  Join us for an eye-opening conversation about the need to unleash the power of a test that can save lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part one of this two-part series, we will discuss what the election outcomes mean for labor policy in the near-term, including insights about what to expect from the next Congress, Administration, and State and Local governments.Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. labor market was experiencing record-setting lows in unemployment and rising incomes, with the largest gains accruing to the lowest-income workers. This was the result of pro-worker and pro-growth tax and regulatory policies. A new congress and administration could not only undo some of those policies but could also pursue actions that could set American workers back decades. The Heritage Foundation and Institute for the American Worker would like to invite you to join us for a two-part series on the future of labor policy in America, for 2021 and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the past four years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has achieved significant environmental benefits while reining in past agency overreach. It has finalized numerous regulations that respect the rule of law, federalism, and property rights. It has also been proactive in strengthening transparency in agency decision-making. This includes promoting policies that will help ensure the use of sound science and proper benefit-cost analysis in the formulation of regulations.Join us as we hear directly from EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler about a major agency announcement and discuss some of the agency’s most important successes during the Trump Administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Baltic Sea remains one of the most complex regions that the U.S. and NATO are obligated to defend, with Russia posing the only substantial threat to peace and stability. The impact of Russia’s growing presence in Belarus, the evolving global pandemic, the outcome of U.S. elections, and NATO’s ongoing period of reflection will cause ripples for Baltic Security. Finland, Sweden, and the U.S. share a focus on the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region. Already close partners, Sweden and Finland have sought ways to strengthen the security relationship with the U.S., including signing a Trilateral Agreement in May 2018.Finland and Sweden have recently signaled significant increases in defense investment and continue to cooperate closely with NATO as “enhanced opportunity partners.” Join us for a discussion on Finland and Sweden’s ongoing role in Baltic Sea security, what the new defense investments are and what they mean, and why partnership with the U.S. and NATO should continue to be strengthened. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November is National Adoption Month and the morning after Election Day a critical case about foster care and religious freedom was heard by the Supreme Court. The pandemic shutdowns have reduced the supply of families for the 424,000 children in foster care, 125,000 of whom are eligible to be adopted. Even before COVID-19, the opioid crisis dramatically increased the number of children in the state's care. And yet because of disagreements over same-sex marriage and gender identity, governments have been taking choices away from parents which reduces families for children. Adoption and foster care provide lifelines to children in need. Please join us as we discuss these issues that are fundamentally about life, civil rights, and the best interests of America's neediest children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine American life without private property rights and a free market system, the foundation that men and women, since the nation's birth, developed and preserved. Plymouth's first colonial settlement rejected communal property and successfully implemented the idea of individual property rights by promoting individual initiative and prosperity within the community. Today the assault on private property rights and the creep of socialism continue to challenge free-market principles. Join the discussion and trace the origins of free-market principles from Plymouth's economic structures to today's free-market economy and discover the influence on modern-day property rights and economic liberty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.