Brookings: Series - Meet the Press at Brookings

Meet the Press at Brookings: Why the World Needs America

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:00:00 -0500

Event Information

February 24, 2012
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

In his State of the Union address on January 24, President Barack Barack Obama argued, "Anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned doesn't know what they're talking about." According to a recent Foreign Policy report, the president was influenced by the writings of Brookings Senior Fellow Robert Kagan—especially his views on America's role in the world as detailed in his new book, The World America Made (Knopf, 2012). Kagan questions whether the United States is in decline, as so many seem to argue, and whether America’s dominance on the world stage was ever a reality. He argues that if the U.S. were to decline, the established world order would decline with it, collapsing as the European world order collapsed in the first half of the twentieth century.

On February 24, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a discussion focusing on the issues raised in Kagan’s book. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the session, part of a series of discussions on foreign policy issues. New York Times columnist David Brooks joined the discussion.

After the program, the panelists took audience questions.

Participants

Moderator

David Gregory

Anchor, Meet the Press
NBC News

Panelists

David Brooks

Columnist
The New York Times

Meet the Press at Brookings: The Egypt Revolution One Year On

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500

Event Information

February 8, 2012
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

One year ago, a wave of revolutionary change swept across the Middle East and North Africa. The political protests in Cairo captured the world’s attention as Egyptians took to Tahrir Square to call for President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation. On February 11, Mubarak stepped down after nearly 30 years in power. Now, one year later, democratic elections have given Islamists a majority in the Egyptian Parliament. But that is only the beginning of the political process: constitutional changes will have to be debated and decided; the division of power among Parliament, the presidency, and the military will have to be resolved; and the Egyptian economy will have to be put back on a growth trajectory.

On February 8, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion to assess the implications of the Egyptian revolution at its first anniversary. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the session, part of a series of discussions on foreign policy issues. Panelists included Robin Wright, author of Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion across the Islamic World (Simon & Schuster, 2011) and joint fellow at the United States Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Martin Indyk, vice president and director of Foreign Policy at Brookings; Tamara Wittes, former deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, who was responsible for U.S. democracy promotion in the Middle East; and Shadi Hamid, fellow and director of research of the Brookings Doha Center, who appeared live from Doha via video feed. Hamid and Indyk have recently returned from Egypt.

After the program, the panelists took audience questions.

Video

Audio

Meet the Press at Brookings: The Egypt Revolution One Year On

Transcript

Transcript (.pdf)

Event Materials

20120208_mtp_egypt_revolution

Participants

Moderator

David Gregory

Anchor, Meet the Press
NBC News

Panelists

Tamara Wittes

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Robin Wright

Joint Fellow
United States Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Meet the Press at Brookings: After Bin Laden–What Next for al Qaeda and the Fight Against Terrorism?

Tue, 03 May 2011 09:00:00 -0400

Event Information

May 3, 2011
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EDT

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

After ten years of intensive pursuit, the U.S. hunt for the world’s most notorious terrorist ended on Sunday with the death of Osama bin Laden. While Bin Laden’s demise brings one chapter of the 9/11 story to an end, his death raises questions about the future of al Qaeda, the possibility of jihadist retaliation, the nature of U.S. relations with Pakistan, and the direction of the U.S. and NATO mission in Afghanistan. The ramifications are significant and will have ripple effects in terms of U.S. foreign policy and national security for some time to come.

On May 3, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion on the implications of Bin Laden’s death for the United States, the international community and terrorist networks, including al Qaeda. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the session, part of a monthly series of discussions on foreign policy issues. Panelists included Brookings experts Dan Byman, Mike O’Hanlon, Vanda Felbab-Brown and Robert Kagan. Brookings Senior Fellow Salman Shaikh, director of the Brookings Doha Center, appeared live from Doha via video feed.

Vice President Martin Indyk, director of Foreign Policy provided introductory remarks. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.

Video

Audio

Meet the Press at Brookings: After Bin Laden–What Next for al Qaeda and the Fight Against Terrorism?

Transcript

Uncorrected Transcript (.pdf)

Event Materials

20110503_bin_laden_mtp

Participants

Moderator

David Gregory

Anchor, Meet the Press
NBC News

Panelists

Meet the Press at Brookings: Egypt, Tunisia and the Changing Strategic Landscape in the Middle East

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:30:00 -0500

Event Information

February 3, 2011
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EST

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

With regime change in Tunisia, and protests continuing in Egypt, the Obama administration faces new and significant foreign policy challenges across the Middle East. While the political future of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak hangs in the balance, it is clear that the status quo of Egyptian politics cannot be maintained. Egypt may also serve as a bellwether for political change within other Arab nations in the region. Regardless of the eventual outcome of Egypt’s crisis, the administration now faces a changed strategic landscape in the Middle East, and must tackle the crucial task of reorienting U.S. foreign policy in the region.

On February 3, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion on the crisis In Egypt and the shifting Middle East strategic landscape. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the session, part of a monthly series of discussions on foreign policy issues. Panelists included Brookings Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack, director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Anouar Boukhars of McDaniel College and Jennifer Windsor of Georgetown University. Brookings Fellow Shadi Hamid, director of research for the Brookings Doha Center, appeared live from Doha via video feed.

Vice President Martin Indyk, director of Foreign Policy, provided introductory remarks. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.

Watch the full event at msnbc.msn.com »

Video

Audio

Meet the Press at Brookings: Egypt, Tunisia and the Changing Strategic Landscape in the Middle East

Transcript

Transcript (.pdf)

Event Materials

20110203_mtp_egypt

Participants

Moderator

David Gregory

Anchor, Meet the Press
NBC News

Panelists

Anouar Boukhars

Professor of Political Science
McDaniel College

Jennifer Windsor

Associate Dean for Programs and Studies, School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University

Meet the Press at Brookings: The Top Foreign Policy Issues for 2011

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:30:00 -0500

Event Information

January 13, 2011
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EST

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

As the 112th Congress settles down to business and as President Obama enters his third year in office, Capitol Hill and the White House are establishing their foreign policy agendas for 2011. In the opening weeks of the new year, the president will host President Hu Jintao of China for a state visit, deliver his next State of the Union address, and set the course on foreign policy challenges such as Pakistan, North Korea and various U.S. military missions overseas. For its part, the new Republican leadership in the House of Representatives will set about meeting their campaign promises. Questions remain regarding the impact of these changes on U.S. foreign policy overall.

On January 13, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion focusing on the top foreign policy issues of 2011. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the session, part of a monthly series of discussions on foreign policy. Panelists included Brookings Senior Fellows Michael O’Hanlon, Kenneth Lieberthal, Robert Kagan and Stephen Cohen.

Vice President Martin Indyk, director of Foreign Policy, provided introductory remarks. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.

Watch the full event at msnbc.msn.com »

Video

Audio

Meet the Press at Brookings: The Top Foreign Policy Issues for 2011

Transcript

Uncorrected Transcript (.pdf)

Event Materials

20110113_mpt

Participants

Moderator

David Gregory

Anchor, Meet the Press
NBC News

Panelists

Meet the Press at Brookings: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Future of U.S. Policy in the Region

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:00:00 -0500

Event Information

December 16, 2010
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

The Obama administration released its latest review of the current war strategy in Afghanistan this week. After ordering 30,000 additional U.S. troops to the region last year and setting a July 2011 target date for withdrawal, the White House is under pressure to show progress in the now nine-year-old war. Recent reports by U.S. officials highlight NATO’s progress in training Afghan security forces and curbing Taliban influence in the region. How accurate are these reports and how realistic is President Obama’s withdrawal timeline?

On December 16, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion focusing on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the future of the U.S.-NATO mission. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the session, part of a monthly series of discussions on foreign policy. Panelists included Brookings Senior Fellow Bruce Riedel, Brookings Fellow Vanda Felbab-Brown, and former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ron Neumann.

Vice President Martin Indyk, director of Foreign Policy, provided introductory remarks. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.

Video

Audio

Meet the Press at Brookings: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Future of U.S. Policy in the Region

Transcript

Uncorrected Transcript (.pdf)

Event Materials

20101216_mtp_afghanistan_pakistan

Participants

Moderator

David Gregory

Anchor, Meet the Press, NBC News

Panelists

Ronald Neumann

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
President, American Academy of Diplomacy

Meet the Press at Brookings: The Impact of the Midterm Elections on U.S. Foreign Policy

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:00:00 -0500

Event Information

November 10, 2010
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

On November 10, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion focusing on the outcome of the midterm elections and implications for U.S. foreign policy. David Gregory, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, moderated the first in a monthly series of panel discussions, titled Meet the Press at Brookings. Over the coming year, the series will feature Brookings’s foreign policy experts, as well as U.S. and international newsmakers prominent in foreign affairs. As moderator of the series, Gregory will contribute his own extensive knowledge of the Washington political landscape to discussions of today’s most critical foreign policy challenges.

The first event focused on the likely political changes ahead in Washington and what they mean for several important foreign policy issues: the war in Afghanistan; Iran’s nuclear program; U.S. relations with China; and the Middle East peace process. Joining Gregory were Brookings Senior Fellows Robert Kagan, Bruce Riedel, Suzanne Maloney and Kenneth Lieberthal.

Vice President Martin Indyk, director of Foreign Policy, provided introductory remarks. After the program, the panelists took audience questions.