Featured Events
March 31st, 2026: WACC Partner Program with James Lindsay, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations – “The Best & Worst: 250 Years of U.S. Foreign Policy”
James Lindsay, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, reveals his definitive rankings of the best—and worst—U.S. foreign policy decisions over the past 250 years. Join us on March 31 for WorldNow with Jim Falk as we examine these pivotal moments, their lasting impact at home and abroad, and what they mean for the future of American foreign policy in the century ahead.
March 12th, 2026: WACC National Security Series with General (Ret.) Paul Nakasone, U.S. Army Four-Star General, Former Director of the National Security Agency, Founding Director of Vanderbilt University’s Institute of National Security, and Former 3rd Commander of the United States Cyber Command
The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is honored to welcome General Paul M. Nakasone, a retired U.S. Army four-star general and one of the nation’s foremost leaders in cybersecurity and national defense, as a featured speaker in the WACC National Security Series on March 12, 2026. From 2018 to 2024, he led U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, overseeing national cyber defense, global intelligence operations, and the protection of critical infrastructure during a period of escalating cyber threats. Drawing on more than 30 years of military leadership, including combat deployments, General Nakasone will examine the global cyber threat landscape, the role of artificial intelligence and state-sponsored attacks, vulnerabilities facing governments and the private sector, and how cyber operations are reshaping modern conflict and national security. Now the Founding Director of Vanderbilt University’s Institute of National Security, he brings unparalleled insight into the future of cyber defense and global security.
March 10th, 2026: WACC Partner Program with Dan Schnur, Political Analyst – “Tensions and Transitions: Change and Uncertainty in a Time of Global Conflict”
Join us on March 10th for this timely discussion as Dan Schnur explores explore the unfolding situation in Iran following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes and the subsequent formation of an interim leadership council as Tehran begins a constitutional transition process. The discussion will examine how these events have affected regional security, global responses, and broader international dynamics in 2026.
March 5th, 2026: WACC International Women’s Day
Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for our International Women’s Day 2026 program, “Give to Gain." This year’s keynote speaker, Sabrina L. Brathwaite, Senior Vice President / Resident Director and Senior Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, will lead a timely conversation on leadership, financial empowerment, and the importance of investing intentionally in women’s economic advancement.
Video Highlights
WACC in the News
Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins (WFAE): Foreign Adversaries Sow Division in Local Communities, Including North Carolina, Report Says Listen Now
Roll Call: An Election That’s Bigger Than One Country. Read Now
City of Charlotte: Mayor Lyles To Present 26th Mayor’s International Community Awards Read Now
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Charlotte Ledger: Rick Steves is Traveling with a Mission. Read More
Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins (WFAE): Getting to Know Travel Extraordinaire Rick Steves. Listen Now
Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins (WFAE): A Conversation with Fiona Hill — Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and the White House’s former top Russia adviser. Listen Now
Atrium Health: Dr. Derek Raghavan Reflects on Upcoming Retirement. Read Now
FOX 46 Charlotte: Retired Lieutenant General in Charlotte Gives Insight Into Russia-Ukraine War. Watch Now (YouTube)
WFAE: Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins — Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General US Army Europe and Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). Listen Now
WFAE: Delays Push Carolina Theatre Project To 2022, Hotel Coming Later. Read More
Charlotte Business Journal: Top Execs at Atrium Health, Wake Forest Discuss Why the Combination Made Sense. Read More
Charlotte Business Journal: President of Truist Financial Emphasizes Focus on Community Impact, Innovation at Charlotte Luncheon. Read More
WFAE: The President’s Finger Is The Only One On ‘The Button.’ Listen Now
WFAE: Charlotte MLS Team President Talks Atlanta Rivalry, Big Tepper Sports Plans. Read More