BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Global Atlanta - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Global Atlanta
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.globalatlanta.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Global Atlanta
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20240310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20241103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T072814
CREATED:20250707T122407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250707T130415Z
UID:10040725-1752753600-1752757200@www.globalatlanta.com
SUMMARY:Diplomacy Disrupted: How Cuts to U.S. Agencies Are Reshaping Foreign Policy
DESCRIPTION:In a series of sweeping and controversial moves\, in early 2025 the Trump Administration dismissed thousands of government employees across key institutions that form the backbone of America’s national security\, humanitarianism\, and global engagement. These included the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)\, the Department of State\, the Voice of America (VOA)\, the National Security Council\, and several other critical agencies. The scale and speed of these personnel cuts have raised urgent questions about the future of U.S. diplomacy\, international development\, and the country’s ability to project soft power on the global stage. \n\n\n\nYet\, in a striking reversal\, on June 13\, the Voice of America reinstated dozens of Farsi-speaking journalists who had previously been placed on administrative leave by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This sudden pivot suggests that broadcasting to audiences in Iran has become an unexpected priority\, highlighting the Administration’s shifting strategic focus and the complex interplay between staffing decisions and foreign policy objectives. What are the long-term implications of hollowing out the diplomatic corps while selectively restoring capabilities in high-stakes regions? How might these changes affect America’s influence abroad\, its alliances\, and its ability to respond to global crises? Join the WAC for an in-depth conversation with experts from the American Foreign Service Association as they explore the profound impact of these staffing and funding reductions on the tools of diplomacy and the strategic posture of the United States in an increasingly complex world. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEric Rubin \nAmbassador Eric Rubin was elected to serve as the President of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) after his recent posting as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria (2016-2019). Joining the Foreign Service in 1985 after graduating from Yale\, he started as a political and human rights officer in Honduras (1985-1988). In 1989 he was assigned to the State Department’s Operations Center. From 1989 to 1991 he worked in the Office of Soviet Union Affairs where he monitored and reported on the collapse of the Soviet Union. Next\, he served as the security affairs officer for Central and Eastern Europe. He left Washington in 1994 for Kiev\, Ukraine as Deputy Political Counselor. While there he was a recipient of AF[1]SA’s William R. Rivkin Award for Constructive Dissent by Mid-Level Officers for his work on the Bosnia crisis.  \n\n\n\nIn 1996 he returned to Washington to work for the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs. From 1997-1998\, he served as an Assistant White House Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs and in 1998 he was the spe[1]cial assistant to Ambassador Thomas Pickering—then the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. For 1999-2000 Ambassador Rubin was a Rusk Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University where he enjoyed teaching about diplomacy. \n\n\n\nIn 2001 he was posted to Chiang Mai\, Thailand as Consul General. In 2004 he returned to Washington as the director of the Office of Policy Planning and Coordination in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. In 2006 he served as the executive assistant to R. Nicholas Burns—the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the time. \n\n\n\nFrom 2008 to 2011 he served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow. And from 2011 to 2015 he served as a deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Ambassador Rubin is married with two children. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhilip A. Shull\nMr. Philip A. Shull has over 30 years of experience as a senior agricultural diplomat and executive with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). In pursuing the mission of expanding food and agricultural exports and promoting global food security\, Mr. Shull has led negotiations\, directed strategic and market development planning\, conducted economic and marketing analysis\, and overseen multi-million dollar marketing\, technical exchange\, and food aid budgets. He has been a persuasive and effective advocate of U.S. and international positions on food and agricultural issues to audiences ranging from cabinet ministers to small farmers\, and represented the U.S. at international agriculture forums on food safety\, sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues\, and biotechnology. \n\n\n\nMr. Shull retired from USDA in 2016 from his position as Minister Counselor for Agriculture at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing\, USDA’s largest and most important overseas post. During his 30+ years with USDA he also directed offices in Manila\, Hong Kong\, Buenos Aires\, Seoul\, Guangzhou\, and twice in Beijing. In his Washington postings\, Mr. Shull served in various capacities involving economic analysis\, trade policy\, and export expansion\, including as director of international marketing. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore Info
URL:https://www.globalatlanta.com/event/diplomacy-disrupted-how-cuts-to-u-s-agencies-are-reshaping-foreign-policy/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Crisis Management,Defense,Democracy,Diplomacy,Global Affairs,International affairs,international relations,Middle East / North Africa,North America,Policy,Security,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.globalatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/world-affairs-logo.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The World Affairs Council of Atlanta":MAILTO:info@wacatlanta.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250730T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250730T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T072814
CREATED:20250707T123832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250707T124933Z
UID:10040727-1753876800-1753880400@www.globalatlanta.com
SUMMARY:Cuba At A Crossroads: Why U.S. Policy Still Matters Webinar
DESCRIPTION:The Cuban Revolution has reached a critical juncture. Despite decades of U.S. economic sanctions\, Cuba maintains trade relations with nearly every other country\, highlighting the limited global reach of the embargo. However\, the Cuban government remains entrenched in an outdated and inefficient economic model that continues to stifle growth and innovation. The Trump Administration believes that previous efforts at normalization empowered the regime’s military and intelligence sectors while doing little to improve the lives of ordinary Cubans. President Trump’s renewed policy—outlined in the June 2025 National Security Presidential Memorandum—reinstates strict limits on U.S. tourism and financial transactions that benefit the Cuban government\, while promoting support for civil society\, internet access\, and private enterprise. With Fidel Castro deceased and Raúl Castro now 94\, the nation faces a looming leadership transition. Most concerning for long-term stability is the accelerating exodus of young\, educated Cubans—particularly university graduates—who are leaving in record numbers. This brain drain not only undermines Cuba’s future prospects but also signals deep dissatisfaction with the current system. These trends warrant close attention from policymakers\, as they may reshape regional dynamics and migration patterns in the near future. What are the outcomes and unintended consequences of the Trump Administration’s approach? How are other countries responding to Cuba’s economic crisis\, and what does that mean for U.S. influence in the region? The World Affairs Council of Atlanta speaks with former diplomat Amanda Mattingly who now runs an international risk and business consulting firm. \n\n\n\nDistinguished Speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmanda Mattingly\nAmanda Mattingly is a former US diplomat and founder of ACM Global\, an international risk and business consulting firm working with clients operating or investing overseas. Amanda has studied\, traveled\, and worked on projects throughout Latin America\, including in Cuba. She is a co-founder of Art of Diplomacy Tours and lives in Atlanta\, GA.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMore Info
URL:https://www.globalatlanta.com/event/cuba-at-a-crossroads-why-u-s-policy-still-matters/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:Crisis Management,Diplomacy,Economics,Global Affairs,International affairs,International Markets,international relations,Policy,Politics,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.globalatlanta.com/wp-content/uploads/world-affairs-logo.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The World Affairs Council of Atlanta":MAILTO:info@wacatlanta.org
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR