Brookings Experts - Thomas Pickering https://www.brookings.edu Brookings Experts - Thomas Pickering Thu, 18 Aug 2016 19:38:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.1 https://www.brookings.edu/events/global-cooperation-under-threat-adapting-the-u-n-for-the-21st-century/ Global cooperation under threat: Adapting the U.N. for the 21st century http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/196973758/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~Global-cooperation-under-threat-Adapting-the-UN-for-the-st-century/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/global-cooperation-under-threat-adapting-the-u-n-for-the-21st-century/        ]]> Nearly 70 years after the United Nations charter was signed, the world faces new and rapidly evolving threats—both transnational and geopolitical. New tensions on the U.N. Security Council, however, risk limiting the United Nations capacity to intervene in civil wars and respond to humanitarian crises. At the same time, transnational and sub-state threats have the potential to seriously disrupt regional and international order.

On Monday, June 15, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings hosted Susana Malcorra, chief of staff to the United Nations secretary-general for a discussion exploring how the organization is adapting to new geopolitical, transnational, and sub-state challenges.

In her current position at the U.N., Malcorra plays a central role in decision-making at the highest levels of the organization, advising the secretary-general on the full range of global and organizational affairs. Prior to her appointment as chief of staff in March 2012, Malcorra served as the undersecretary-general for field support, directing all support for U.N. peace operations worldwide. Malcorra also served as the chief operating officer and deputy executive director of the World Food Programme. Prior to joining the U.N., she spent 25 years in the private sector.


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]]> Washington, DC past 1434389400 1434394800 https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ki_moon_malcorra001.jpg?w=250 https://www.brookings.edu/events/nigeria-in-transition-prospects-and-challenges-for-the-new-government/ Nigeria in transition: Prospects and challenges for the new government http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/196973756/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~Nigeria-in-transition-Prospects-and-challenges-for-the-new-government/ Mon, 01 Jun 2015 17:03:06 +0000 https://www.brookings.edu/events/nigeria-in-transition-prospects-and-challenges-for-the-new-government/
       
]]> Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn into office on May 29, 2015, following his pivotal victory in the country’s March 2015 elections. Buhari’s electoral success represented a defining moment in Nigerian political history since, for the first time, an opposition party candidate transitioned to power through peaceful, democratic elections. In advance of his inauguration, Buhari established a set of commitments for his first 100 days in office, which include: boosting economic growth and employment, tackling rampant government fraud, and strengthening the country’s security institutions to contend with Boko Haram and other destabilizing threats. However, as Buhari and his government come into power, several factors—such as a growing fiscal crisis, opaque governance systems, and persistent, dynamic security risks—have the potential to undermine his ability to deliver on these promises.

On June 8, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing Nigeria’s recently inaugurated President Buhari and his newly elected government. A panel of Nigeria experts provided an assessment of the historic nature of Nigeria’s latest political transition, as well as the implications of this shift in power for the country’s development, governance, and security priorities.

       
]]> Washington, DC past 1433790000 1433795400 America/New_York https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/cuba-the-path-ahead/ Cuba: The Path Ahead http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/172288808/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~Cuba-The-Path-Ahead/ https://www.brookings.edu/research/cuba-the-path-ahead/
       
]]> By Thomas Pickering

The President’s new opening to Cuba represents an end to a policy that has been failing since the 1960s, a new opportunity to open a door to Cuba, and with proper implementation a way to help further solidify our Hemisphere and encourage and bring about change on the island. The estrangement and Embargo have failed to bring benefits, hit hardest at Cuba’s civil population and left the rest of our Hemisphere wondering about our leadership and principles.

Cuba under the Castros is not a model for anyone. Much of what they have done to the country has led to economic privation, poverty and lack of progress. The Embargo will not go away easily or without a clear program for change; for a time we will have to work within it. We cannot ignore some of the gains, as well — better treatment for Black Cubans, advances in biological and medical research, support for peace in Colombia, and civil help for countries in trouble — and most recently in West Africa on Ebola.

The most important question now is where can we go from here? The early stages are clear — work to solidify the efforts to open up diplomatic relations. Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson will lead those and they will be important. Beyond those steps, further opening up Cuba and the United States to reciprocal visits and programs of interchange will help. Our most useful contacts will be between the people of Cuba and the United States. Steps to grow and facilitate those contacts will be of great value for the future of Cuba and in its relationship to the US. Fulbright-type exchanges, opportunities for investment in small and medium enterprises, tourist visits in both directions, more extensive news reporting, greater access in Cuba to the Internet, an end to the harassment of dissidents who practice peaceful protest and a set of actions to help strength the consumer economy and build jobs on the island point the way.

What can the Hemisphere do? Cuba has been invited by Panama to the April 2015 Summit and has accepted. It is a good time for the Hemisphere to look at a Marshall Plan for the island, keeping in mind that, as in the original plan, both economic help and investment need to be fully matched by major efforts to get Cuba to build a more open economy, better access to resources and a wider degree of individual freedom. What the Embargo could not achieve with Cuba’s government may well be what the Hemisphere working together can achieve with the people of the island. Working with President Raul Castro’s gradual change policy by strengthening and speeding its accomplishments for the people of the island could be a way to build progress.

Finally, and many will criticize me for suggesting this, we need to look at a constructive future for Guantanamo. Can it play a role of bringing us together with Cuba and the Hemisphere rather than separating us? We should end imprisonment there, particularly of those without trial or sentencing, and do it rapidly. For the future, why not return Guantanamo to Cuba, but on the basis that it would be a cooperative future enterprise in first class, high-level research and education in those fields that contribute most to the progress of Cuba and the Hemisphere.

Graduate and post-graduate studies in fields like health, agriculture, economic growth and development, education, poverty alleviation and similar areas would be the focus. Open to highly qualified students from all of the Hemisphere on a competitive basis with full scholarships for the needy and with a first-class faculty drawn from Cuba, the United States and the rest of the Hemisphere, Guantanamo could move from being a “Black Hole” to a “Beacon of Light.”

Long shot, sure it is; but the risk is worth the gamble. And the results could once again help make cooperation for the future of the Western Hemisphere a hallmark of U.S. leadership and serious progress.

This post is part of a Huffington Post blog series called “90 Miles: Rethinking the Future of U.S.-Cuba Relations.” The series puts the spotlight on the emerging relations between two long-standing Western Hemisphere foes and will feature pre-eminent thought leaders from the public and private sectors, academia, the NGO community, and prominent observers from both countries. Read all the other posts in the series here.

This piece was originally published by
The Huffington Post
.

       
]]> https://www.brookings.edu/on-the-record/a-discussion-with-the-ambassador-of-russia-russian-u-s-bilateral-relations-the-view-from-moscow/ A Discussion with the Ambassador of Russia: Russian-U.S. Bilateral Relations: The View from Moscow http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/172288816/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~A-Discussion-with-the-Ambassador-of-Russia-RussianUS-Bilateral-Relations-The-View-from-Moscow/ http://www.brookings.edu?p=129162&post_type=on-the-record&preview_id=129162
       
]]> By Thomas Pickering, Steven Pifer

       
]]> https://www.brookings.edu/events/live-webcast-a-statesmans-forum-with-united-nations-deputy-secretary-general-jan-eliasson/ LIVE WEBCAST: A Statesman’s Forum with United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/196973760/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~LIVE-WEBCAST-A-Statesman%e2%80%99s-Forum-with-United-Nations-Deputy-SecretaryGeneral-Jan-Eliasson/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/live-webcast-a-statesmans-forum-with-united-nations-deputy-secretary-general-jan-eliasson/        ]]> On October 16, Foreign Policy at Brookings is hosting United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson for a Statesman’s Forum focusing on the United Nations’ current agenda and upcoming work. Among the key issues being addressed by Ambassador Eliasson are the conflict in Syria, Iran’s diplomatic openings, developments in Afghanistan and the UN and its post-2015 development strategy. Brookings Acting Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy Ted Piccone is moderating the discussion, and Foreign Policy at Brookings Distinguished Fellow Thomas Pickering is offering remarks.

Ambassador Eliasson was appointed UN deputy secretary-general in 2012. From 2007-2008, he served as the special envoy of the UN secretary-general for Darfur. Prior to joining the UN, he was Sweden’s ambassador to the United States from 2000 to 2005. In early 2006, Ambassador Eliasson was appointed foreign minister of Sweden and served in that capacity until elections were held later that year. He was Sweden’s ambassador to the United Nations from 1988 to 1992, Ambassador Eliasson has also served as the secretary-general’s personal representative for Iran/Iraq and was the first UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.

After the program, the deputy secretary-general will take audience questions.

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]]> Washington, DC past 1381947300 1381950900 https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/eliasson_jan001.jpg?w=236 https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-india-pakistan-conundrum-shooting-for-a-century/ The India-Pakistan Conundrum: Shooting for a Century http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/171800628/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~The-IndiaPakistan-Conundrum-Shooting-for-a-Century/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-india-pakistan-conundrum-shooting-for-a-century/        ]]>
The rivalry between India and Pakistan has proven to be one of the world’s most intractable international conflicts. In his new book,
Shooting for a Century
(Brookings Press, 2013), Brookings Senior Fellow Stephen P. Cohen explores the origins and costs of India-Pakistan hostility, various explanations of why the dispute endures, past and current efforts to normalize the relationship, as well as the consequences of nuclearization. He argues that the prospects for normalization are poor, but because of the stakes and urgency, it is a process deserving of bilateral effort and greater world attention. Cohen also outlines suggestions as to how the rivalry might end, as well as the approach he believes the United States should take vis-à-vis the rivalry.


On June 14, the India Project at Brookings hosted the launch of Shooting for a Century with a discussion on present and past ties between India and Pakistan, prospects for normalization, as well as what role, if any, the U.S. should play. Brookings Distinguished Fellow Thomas Pickering and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Senior Associate Ashley J. Tellis joined Cohen for the discussion. Strobe Talbott, president of Brookings, introduced the session. Tanvi Madan, director of the India Project, moderated the discussion.

       
]]> Washington, DC past 1371218400 1371223800 https://www.brookings.edu/events/2013-u-s-islamic-world-forum-a-decade-of-dialogue/ 2013 U.S.-Islamic World Forum http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/196973762/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~USIslamic-World-Forum/ Sat, 25 May 2013 20:24:13 +0000 https://www.brookings.edu/events/2013-u-s-islamic-world-forum-a-decade-of-dialogue/
       
]]> Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World, in partnership with the State of Qatar, convened its annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum from June 9-11, 2013 in Doha, Qatar. The Forum was entitled “A Decade of Dialogue,” heralding the ten-year anniversary of the Forum. The Forum has become the premier platform for engagement by American leaders from government, business, and civil society with their counterparts from Muslim-majority countries around the world.

This year’s sessions highlighted the changing landscape in Pakistan and Afghanistan and its effect on internal and regional security. The event featured discussions on the challenges of democracy and development that have loomed in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. The Forum also featured a discussion on the conflict in Syria, noting the spiraling effects of the conflict on the Middle East region and the roles played by the United States and other outside actors.

As in previous years, the Forum convened working groups focused on specific thematic issues. The 2013 working groups focus on advancing women’s political participation within an Islamic framework, supporting economic assistance and recovery in Egypt and Tunisia; examining the role of faith based leaders in mediating conflict and fostering diplomacy; and defining and understanding freedom of speech among global Muslim communities.

       
]]> Doha, Qatar past 1370763000 1370945700 Asia/Qatar https://www.brookings.edu/events/irans-nuclear-program-is-a-peaceful-solution-possible/ Iran’s Nuclear Program: Is a Peaceful Solution Possible? http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/196973764/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~Iran%e2%80%99s-Nuclear-Program-Is-a-Peaceful-Solution-Possible/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/irans-nuclear-program-is-a-peaceful-solution-possible/        ]]> After several years of increasingly punishing sanctions against its economy, there is hope that Iran is now prepared to resume negotiations with the international community to reach a solution to the ongoing nuclear standoff. Many experts fear that Iran is quickly approaching the nuclear threshold, and that 2013 could be the last chance to avoid this outcome. If the international community cannot seize that opportunity, it may be left only with much worse alternatives.


On February 19, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a discussion to examine strategies for resolving the nuclear standoff. Panelists included former Ambassador Thomas Pickering, co-founder of The Iran Project, who presented the organization’s latest set of recommendations for addressing the nuclear issue, and Brookings Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack. Senior Fellow Tamara Cofman Wittes, director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion.

       
]]> Washington, DC past 1361286000 1361291400 https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-southern-tiger-chiles-fight-for-a-democratic-and-prosperous-future/ The Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/201942096/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~The-Southern-Tiger-Chile%e2%80%99s-Fight-for-a-Democratic-and-Prosperous-Future/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-southern-tiger-chiles-fight-for-a-democratic-and-prosperous-future/
       
]]> 2011 will forever be remembered as the year revolution went viral. The world watched as citizens across the Middle East unseated dictators that had ruled for decades—grabbing the brass ring of freedom and opportunity so long denied them. For the people of Chile, it was a familiar story. In his book, The Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012) former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos provides a first-hand and timely account of Chile’s own transformation from dictatorship to one of Latin America’s most stable nations and leading economies—an experience that holds key lessons for the rest of the region as it strives towards modernity.

On January 23, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings hosted the launch of The Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future featuring President Ricardo Lagos. He was joined by Brookings Distinguished Senior Fellow Thomas Pickering, former U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs and ambassador to the United Nations, and Arturo Valenzuela, former assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs, who provided an assessment of Chile in the wider context of Latin American politics. Senior Fellow Kevin Casas-Zamora, interim director of the Latin America Initiative, provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion.

After the program, panelists took audience questions.

       
]]> Washington, DC past 1327348800 1327354200 https://www.brookings.edu/events/european-launch-of-power-and-responsibility-building-international-order-in-an-era-of-transnational-threats/ European Launch of Power and Responsibility http://webfeeds.brookings.edu/~/196973844/0/brookingsrss/experts/pickeringt~European-Launch-of-Power-and-Responsibility/ https://www.brookings.edu/events/european-launch-of-power-and-responsibility-building-international-order-in-an-era-of-transnational-threats/        ]]> On Tuesday January 27, Chatham House hosted the European launch of Power and Responsibility: Building International Order in an Era of Transnational Threats. In Power and Responsibility, MGI Co-Directors and Brookings Fellows Bruce Jones, Carlos Pascual, and Stephen Stedman provide the conceptual underpinnings for a new approach to sovereignty and cooperation. They present ideas for the new U.S. administration, working with other global powers, to promote together what they cannot produce apart—peace and stability. MGI Advisory Group members Ambassador Thomas Pickering and Samuel Berger helped launch this important book on the future of U.S. foreign policy. The Chatham House event, the first of a series of launches which MGI will hold around the globe and across the country, was hosted in part by United Kingdom Foreign Minister David Miliband.

Revitalizing the institutions of cooperation will require a new conceptual foundation for global security. The “national sovereignty” of the twentieth century must give way to “responsible sovereignty”—a principle requiring nations not only to protect their own people, but also to cooperate across borders to safeguard common resources and tackle common threats. Achieving this will require American leadership and commitment to a rule-based international order.

Listen to the full event »
Read an editorial from the Guardian about the project »

       
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