Past Events
YPFP works diligently to put on fascinating events that appeal to young professionals working in foreign policy. We are thrilled to have a library of past events offered to YPFP members to view!
Multilateralism in Crisis: A YPFP Fellows Discussion
December 17, 2020
YPFP hosted a panel of our Fellows for a timely discussion on the state of global multilateralism. Despite calls by some leaders to double-down on global cooperation, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, years of weakened cooperation and inflamed great power rivalry have left others skeptical. After nine months of researching and writing op-eds on a variety of topics, the panel of YPFP Fellows explores answers to the following question: What is the state of multilateralism today and what can we expect for global multilateralism in the coming year and beyond?
Democracy During the Pandemic: A Discussion with Ambassador Nancy Soderberg of NDI & Jan Surotchak of IRI
November 12, 2020
Join YPFP for an expert panel discussion on democracy, featuring Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, Kosovo Resident Senior Director at the National Democratic Institute, and Jan Surotchak, Senior Director for Translatlantic Strategy at the International Republican Institute. Ambassador Soderberg and Mr. Surotchak will discuss the state of democracy in the world in 2020 and how the pandemic has and will continue to impact both fledgling and mature democracies.
Panel Discussion: Practical Applications of the Positive Peace Framework
Join Young Professionals in Foreign Policy and hear from the Institute for Economics and Peace Ambassadors on the 8 pillars of the Positive Peace framework. We will provide an overview of the Positive Peace index and framework, and each panelist will talk about the practical applications of the framework.
Ambassador Series: H.E. Ambassador Marc Grossman
Marc Grossman is a distinguished career diplomat and foreign service official. He has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, Director General of the Foreign Service, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He played an instrumental role in diplomacy during the Kosovo War and Afghanistan War. Amb. Grossman is currently vice chairman of The Cohen Group which is an international advisory firm that helps multinational clients explore opportunities overseas with business, political, legal, regulatory, and media expertise. Ambassador Grossman joined YPFP's Jeffrey Nahm for a candid conversation about his career ascension in foreign service and his unique point of view on current global issues.
Ambassador Series: H.E. Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba on Diplomacy During COVID-19
April 15, 2020
YPFP is delighted to share a virtual discussion with His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States of America, about the role of diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conversation touches on the UAE's response to the crisis, including coordination with the US and multilateral partners and the Embassy's shift toward "digital diplomacy." Broadly, the discussion covers Ambassador Al Otaiba's thoughts on how digital diplomacy will influence the work of diplomats in the future, as well as his perspective on leadership in times of crisis.
Author Series: David G. Winter Discusses 'Roots of War'
August 5, 2019
In Roots of War: Wanting Power, Seeing Threat, Justifying Force, David G. Winter identifies three psychological factors that contributed to the differences in these historical outcomes: the desire for power, exaggerated perception of the opponent's threat, and justification for using military force. Several lines of research establish how these factors lead to escalation and war: comparative archival studies of "war" and "peace" crises, laboratory experiments on threat perception, and surveys of factors leading people to believe that a particular war is "just." The research findings in Roots of War also demonstrate the importance of power in preserving peace through diplomatic interventions, past and present.
Author Series: David Danelo Discusses 'The Border'
June 13, 2019
Join YPFP in hosting David J. Danelo for a discussion about his book, 'The Border: Exploring the U.S.-Mexican Divide.' Originally published in 2008, The 2019 edition has been fully revised and updated. It traverses the length of the border and a decade of shifting policy and attitudes surrounding this hotly contested area—bringing readers up to speed on current border circumstances, while reframing the national immigration dialog with an eye toward our core values.
American Leadership in the 21st Century
October 29, 2018
The U.S. has long played a role in addressing the global challenges of the day, both leading the way and through multilateral engagement. At a time when the U.S. is withdrawing from its international partnerships, what is—or should be—its role in meeting global challenges such as the increasing threat of climate change, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the perpetual wild card of potential conflict with North Korea? To answer this question, Brookings and YPFP sits down for a fireside chat with the current president of the Brookings Institution, John R. Allen, moderated by the Chair of YPFP's Board of Directors Josh Marcuse.
Author Series: Conversation with P.W. Singer "LikeWar"
November 25, 2018
P.W. Singer tackles the questions with YPFP that arose during his five years of research: What can be kept secret in a world of networks? Does social media expose the truth or bury it? And what role do ordinary people now play in international conflicts? In his new book "LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media", Peter W. Singer studies what social media has been doing to politics, news, and war around the world, drawing upon everything from historic cases to the latest in AI and machine intelligence.
Bridging the Partisan Divide: Challenges and Opportunites for Future Leaders
September 26, 2018
Together with Shawn Turner from CNN, Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) will discuss his transition from military service to elected office, and the unique position veterans are in to help mend the partisan divide, as well as sharing insights and observations about current challenges and opportunities in the U.S. defense and foreign policy space and conclude with advice for YPFP's rising leaders.
Civilian Warriors: Private Security Companies and the Future of Conflict
January 18, 2018
Jacqueline Sutherland, a YPFP Terrorism & Asymmetric Warfare Fellow, sits down with Dr. Sean McFate and Erik Prince to discuss Private Security Companies in modern warfare.
Zimbabwe after Mugabe
November 21, 2017
After a coup that the military insisted was not a coup, and a resignation speech that was not explicitly a resignation, Zimbabwe had a deeply consequential end to 2017.
Join panelists Mooya Nyaundi, Alexander Noyes, and Belinda O'Donnell to reflect how Zimbabwe got to this moment, and what to consider as the country's political space goes through a moment of rapid change.
The Art of the Iran Deal
November 14, 2017
With tensions on the Korean peninsula overshadowing much of U.S. security policy, the Iran deal and the importance of shaping policy towards aspirational nuclear powers must not be forgotten. Watch as YPFP engages JCPOA, its merits and flaws, and the current administration's approach to Iran's nuclear program.
The Emni and ISIS' Global Exportation of Terror
September 7, 2017
Despite the essential collapse of ISIS’s caliphate, its external operations branch the Emni allows it the opportunity to export terror to Europe. Join YPFP’s Terrorism & Asymmetric Warfare Fellow Jacqueline Sutherland for an in-depth discussion.
Empowering Leaders in the Middle East
July 20, 2017
Join YPFP for a discussion on the challenges the next generation of leaders in the Middle East will face. Featuring Christopher Meserole, Fellow with the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings.
Populism and the Future of Unity
June 13, 2017
Why are young people across Europe favoring anti-establishment political parties? Alina Polyakova and Giovanni Faleg join YPFP to discuss populism, foreign policy, and the future of Europe! Join us for the next event in our NextGen series as we look at the rise of populism in Europe and we ask if NextGen experts if they think it's a threat to European unity.
Combating Terrorism Working Group: Al Qa'ida's Eclipse of ISIL
June 14, 2017
YPFP goes live with our Combating Terrorism Working Group as Fatima Bhojani interviews Ryan Young on our recent policy brief on Al Qa'ida's Eclipse of ISIL.