Distinguished Speaker Series (Virtual)
The World Affairs Council of Charlotte’s Distinguished Speaker Series (Virtual) offers exclusive access to timely, high-level conversations with leading experts in foreign policy, global economics, geopolitics, climate change, and global health.
These virtual events connect our community with the world’s foremost thought leaders, including ambassadors, economists, policymakers, scholars, and scientists, who offer critical insights into the forces shaping our interconnected world. From shifting global alliances and economic uncertainty to emerging health threats and climate challenges, each session delivers context, analysis, and clarity on complex international issues.
Designed to inform and inspire, the series features live Q&A sessions, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with the experts and deepen their understanding of today’s most pressing global issues.
Past speakers include:
- Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and Chief Editor of “The World Ahead”
- Ryan Crocker, U.S. Career Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon (1993-2012)
- H.E. Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States
- Jonathan Landreth, Journalist, Writer, and Editor on China-US Media and Culture
- Philip Coggan, Bartleby Columnist at The Economist
- Thomas Pickering, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, India, Israel, El Salvador, Nigeria, Jordan, and the United Nations
- Herman Cohen, former U.S. Ambassador to Senegal and the Republic of Congo, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under George H.W. Bush
- Graham Allison, Professor of Government at Harvard University, former Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Clinton, and Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense under President Reagan
- Nadia Theodore, Consul General of Canada (Atlanta)
- H.E. Dirk Wouters, Ambassador of Belgium to the United States
- David Rennie, Beijing Bureau Chief and Chaguan Columnist at The Economist
- Ambassador Thomas Pickering, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, India, Israel, El Salvador, Nigeria, Jordan, and the United Nations;
- Sarah Dawn Petrin, Analyst at the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, Humanitarian, and Author of “Bring Rain: Helping Humanity in Crisis”
Distinguished Speaker Series (Virtual)
April 20th, 2026: WACC Partner Program with Steven Cook, Senior Middle East Expert at the Council on Foreign Relations; Ambassador Deborah Jones, U.S. Ambassador (ret.) to Kuwait and Libya; and Beth Sanner, CNN National Security Contributor and former Deputy Director of National Intelligence — “The Iran War: What We Know, What Comes Next”
With the U.S. and Iran now in open conflict and the world’s energy supply under threat, the stakes could not be higher – or more uncertain. Join us on WorldNow with Jim Falk as we sit down with Steven Cook, senior Middle East expert at the Council on Foreign Relations; Amb. Deborah Jones, U.S. Ambassador (ret.) to Kuwait and Libya; and Beth Sanner, CNN National Security Contributor and former Deputy Director of National Intelligence. We’ll explore what’s happened so far in the conflict with Iran, what may happen next, and the war’s long-term impact on the region and beyond.
April 7th, 2026: WACC 2026 China Town Hall Conversation on “The U.S.-China AI Race” + 2026 Annual China Town Hall Hosted by the National Committee on United States-China Relations (Virtual)
As China rolls out its ambitious 2026–2030 five-year plan to lead in AI, robotics, and quantum computing, and the U.S. pursues its “Winning the AI Race” strategy, both nations are accelerating toward technological dominance. Dr. Min Jiang will help us understand the complex intersection between global politics, foreign policy, and the accelerating competition on AI between China and the U.S.
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” (Virtual)
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.
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.