Walter Roberts Lecture Series – Page 3 – The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication

February 28, 2019July 20, 2023

2019 WR Annual Lecture: Robert Kagan

The Jungle Grows Back: America and Our Imperiled World

Dr. Robert Kagan, a noted historian, editorial writer, and think-tank analyst, was the Walter Roberts Annual Lecture speaker for 2019. Dr. Kagan spoke from topics in his latest book, The Jungle Grows Back, America and our Imperiled World; about America’s global engagement and how isolationism will only create new security threats. Dr. Kagan also emphasized the importance of global communication, now more than ever. The audience had a range of questions about America, politics and foreign relations for our 2019 WRE annual lecture speaker.

The conversation was moderated by David Ensor, Director of the Project for Media and National Security.

The United States, in effect, interrupted large forces of history that were driving the world in a certain direction. Where they (the U.S.) were driving the world was where it was going in 1939, in 1940, in 1941. The United States interrupted that history; set history off on a different course… but those powerful forces of history are still there and are ready to come back if the United States stops playing that role – Robert Kagan, 2019 Walter Roberts Annual Lecture.

March 1, 2018July 20, 2023

2018 WR Annual Lecture: Bruce Wharton

Public Diplomacy in an Era of Truth Decay: Constructive Responses

Tara Sonenshine, Amb. Bruce Wharton, Thomas Miller and IPDGC Director Janet Steele.

The Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication’s keynote speaker this year is Ambassador Bruce Wharton, who will be presented his lecture on “Public Diplomacy in an Era of Truth Decay: Constructive Responses.”

Amb. D. Bruce Wharton (ret.) served as an officer in the Foreign Service of the United States from 1985 to 2017. His career included assignments in Latin America, Africa, and here in Washington, D.C., and short-term work in Europe and Asia. In his last assignment, he was the acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. In this role, he provided global strategic leadership for all Department of State public diplomacy and public affairs engagement and oversaw the bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, International Information Programs, Public Affairs and the Global Engagement Center.

(Excerpt from GW School of Media and Public Affairs event announcement.)

March 6, 2017July 20, 2023

2017 WR Annual Lecture: Michael McFaul

Explaining Our New Cold War with Russia: Can Trump End It?

Three people standing in front of George Washington University step-repeat backdrop — David Ensor, Amb. Michael McFaul and IPDGC Director Janet Steele

(excerpt from GW Today, March 6, 2017)

By Kristen Mitchell

Former U. S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul on Friday called the current state of affairs between the United States and Russia one of the most confrontational moments between the two world powers since some periods during the Cold War.

“You have to go deep into the Cold War to remember a time like where we’re at today,” he said at Jack Morton Auditorium.

Amb. McFaul, a Stanford University professor who served as ambassador under President Barack Obama from January 2012 to February 2014, presented a lecture titled “Explaining Our New Cold War with Russia: Can Trump End It?” The talk was part of George Washington University’s annual Walter Roberts Lecture series.

Read the full article of the event HERE.

March 8, 2016July 20, 2023

2016 WR Annual Lecture: David Ensor

The Role of Voice of America & Values Journalism in Combating Propaganda and Violent Extremism

This year’s Walter Roberts Annual lecture featured David Ensor, former Voice of America Director, in a conversation with Frank Sesno, Director of the GW School of Media and Public Affairs.

He spoke on American public diplomacy, and how Voice of America and the Radio Free programs help contribute to the successful communication with foreign publics.

November 12, 2014July 20, 2023

2014 WR Annual Lecture: Robert Ford

As the former U.S. Ambassador to Syria from 2010 to 2014, Ambassador Robert S. Ford discussed the current crises in Syria and Iraq, the Obama Administration’s strategy for fighting terrorism in the region, and the role of social media and digital diplomacy in the war against ISIS.

Since joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1985, he has been posted throughout the Middle East and Africa in Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, and Cameroon. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Bahrain and Political Counselor to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad from 2004-2006. Prior to Syria, he served in Algeria as the ambassador from 2006-2008. Currently, he is Senior Fellow at The Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C.

The conversation was moderated by Frank Sesno, Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs.

November 5, 2013July 20, 2023

2013 WR Annual Lecture: Thomas Pickering

Beyond Benghazi: U.S. Public Diplomacy in Troubled Times with Thomas Pickering

Former Ambassador to the United Nations, Amb. Thomas Pickering discusses the public diplomacy challenges in a time of protest and upheaval, digital media, and emerging competitors to America’s pre-eminence on the world stage, particularly in light of the incident in Benghazi, Libya.

With a diplomatic career spanning more than four decades, Amb. Pickering was also the co-chair of the panel which investigated the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi. He is a career ambassador who has served in Russia, India, Israel, El Salvador, and beyond. In 2000, he retired from the State Department as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

Tara Sonenshine, former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, introduced Amb. Pickering.

There was a lively exchange with the audience and also Amb. Pickering received well wishes as he was celebrating his birthday that day. Read the IPDGC Smart Power post for the tweet excitement from that event.

Moderating the session was Frank Sesno, Director of the GW School of Media and Public Affairs.

Click on video still below for the third WR Annual Lecture.