Heard at Heritage

The world is awash in security challenges. China’s rapid militarization; Russia’s attempts to intimidate NATO, at large, and the Baltic States, in particular, and its propping-up the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria; Iran’s consistent support to terrorist groups across the Middle East, sustained development of missile technologies now able to reach Europe, and use of nuclear blackmail to force Europe’s hand in supporting its nuclear ambitions; Nicolas Maduro’s death grip on Venezuela that threatens the complete collapse of the country and the spillover of instability into neighboring states in South and Central America; large swathes of Africa beset by violent Islamist radical groups…the list is long. The role of the President’s National Security Advisor, in part, is to coordinate the activities of the vast array of agencies that support understanding and responding to such a world. Leading the work of the National Security Council, and serving as the ‘honest broker’ for intelligence estimates and policy recommendations to the President, Robert O’Brien, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, must determine how best to ensure all relevant offices across the Executive Branch support the President’s efforts to ensure America’s security interests are addressed.Please join us for a discussion with Robert O’Brien, a rare public opportunity to hear directly from him about his current work to streamline the National Security Council, make information coming to the President more focused and relevant, and the implementation of security decisions more timely and effective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America is currently experiencing one of its most significant eras of economic expansion, and we know that full participation by women in the global economy is a large part of this success story. Women entrepreneurs promote stronger and healthier economies that advance economic freedom, leading to more prosperous and more stable societies overall.As part of our diplomatic footprint, the U.S. Department of State created Providing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Rise or “POWER.” This initiative connects American business women and entrepreneurs with counterparts overseas through programs developed by our embassies and consulates all over the world.Join us for a conversation with Assistant Secretary Singh on how the Trump Administration’s initiatives are empowering women to become successful participants in the global economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Heritage Foundation and The Gloucester Institute present the 3rd Annual Jay A. Parker Lecture and Reception in honor of Jay A. Parker, founding father of the emerging black conservative movement. Come engage with prominent leaders about the dangerous decline in civil discourse and salute emerging leaders who are making significant contributions to our nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Jesse Helms Lecture Series highlights foreign policies that Senator Helms championed throughout his years in office. One of his highest priorities was ensuring that America had the resources and capabilities to defend its interests and those of our allies. Understandably, Senator Helms was an ardent supporter of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and instrumental in securing Senate approval for enlargement of the alliance to include the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. The world’s power structure is changing and new threats are emerging that require a strong and adaptable NATO alliance. Please join us as Ambassador Hutchison discusses her efforts to strengthen the essential and vital NATO alliance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you knew that America as we know it were to end by July 4, 2026, what would you do? In America’s Expiration Date, author and longtime syndicated columnist Cal Thomas explores the validity of this possibility by analyzing the rise and fall of former empires and investigating the parallels to the United States. Drawing from a thorough understanding of history and an oftentimes prophetic ability to predict future national events, Thomas lays out what Americans need to understand about the current condition of our country and what they can do to prevent its dismantling.With a humble sense of urgency, he summarizes America’s progression as a nation so far to highlight what could be coming should we fail to course correct before it’s too late. In this timely and compelling book, Thomas provides readers a road map to preserve the country they know and love, instilling hope for a better tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Heritage Foundation will host a moderated discussion to launch the United States’ new Strategy for Central Asia (2019-2025). Deputy Assistant to the President Lisa Curtis will join Ambassador Alice Wells and Acting Assistant Administrator Gloria Steele for a public address and discussion on the administration’s priorities and future prospects for U.S. engagement in Central Asia. Remarks will outline how the United States will support the five countries’ efforts to improve regional security, bolster economic connectivity, and ensure sovereignty and independence across the region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On January 23, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released their widely anticipated final rule defining the term “waters of the United States.” This rule is the replacement for the repealed Obama Clean Water Rule. The definition of this term is critical because it determines what waters the EPA and Corps can regulate under the Clean Water Act. In the past, the agencies have struggled to develop a definition that passes legal muster, in large part because of their expansive interpretation of the law. This overreach has often undermined property rights and made it difficult for Americans to use their property for even ordinary activities, such as farming. How does the “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” define “waters of the United States?” Does it cover too many or too few waters and does it provide clarity for property owners? Does it respect the primary state role in addressing water pollution as envisioned by Congress? Join us as we carefully examine this new rule and get different perspectives on its potential impact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The biggest debates in American politics today—about how to end poverty, improve living standards for the middle class, protect the environment, and provide access to health care and education—are nothing new under the sun. These same issues divided the country in the 1960s. Then, as now, Americans debated socialism versus capitalism and public sector versus private-sector reform. Time and again, whether under John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, or Richard Nixon, the country chose the public sector. The result was the Great Society—a wave of massive reforms, implemented from the top-down by experts and bureaucrats. In her book, Great Society: A New History, Amity Shlaes details the results of the great society era were far from great; they were devastating. In a similar vein, Lindsey Burke illustrates the policy pitfalls of the Great Society in her book, The Not-So-Great Society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The situation in Afghanistan in 2020 is a far cry from what it was when the U.S. invaded in response to the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Still, any timeline for a U.S. troop withdrawal must be dictated by U.S. national interests and conditions on the ground, not an artificial political timetable. Any withdrawal that is driven by politics would be a grave strategic error. So, too, would be a bad deal with the Taliban, or one that does not directly involve the Afghan government. Any of these scenarios would have long-term negative consequences for the people of Afghanistan and for U.S. interests in the region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lessons from Ancient Rome is a very relevant and timely lecture as the United States of America faces a decision point in 2020 about which direction to take the country. Reed relates Rome’s transformation and decline to current policy debates to help us make an historically informed decision about the ways in which we strain our Republic in its ability to preserve individual liberty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.