Global I.q. Minute With Jim Falk

"Texas has hugely benefited from being open to the world," David Miliband, the president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, declares in his Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk, He also outlines challenges refugees face – from an uncertain landing (they went to nearly 3 dozen nations last year) to lives put on hold by President Trump's executive orders. Amidst all that, there's a growing crisis in Yemen. Also, for refugees, he says, "Education is a lifeline, not a luxury."

Our Council guest, the writer and Middle East analyst Geneive Abdo examines the "complicated" cultural/religious change and the Shi'a/Sunni divide. What created momentum for violence in the Islamic world. Is this battle political or existential? How does Iran fit into this conflict? Is there a U.S. role? This Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk gets the answers.

In this Global IQ Minute with veteran military advisor Stephen Biddle, the topic is the future of American support in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. effect on region's conflicts and the contested Afghan/Pakistan border which Biddle describes as "famously porous" and an area where the sides have a "tendency to negotiate by 155 millimeter artillery."

This Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk focuses on a novelist, his inspiration and his goals. Istanbul-based writer Elliot Ackerman, a U.S. Marine with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, has lived a life that has led him to what he calls an "improbable friendship, " an opportunity for understanding that helps him "trace the emotional topography" of "complex geopolitical events." Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk is sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, LLP

In this Global IQ Minute, Council President Jim Falk explores the "global disarray" outlined by Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass who, in this wide-ranging interview, cites such things as "loss of the discipline of the Cold War," global conflicts, U.S. "acts of commission and omission" and "both real viruses and computer viruses."

This portion of Dr. Robert Gates’ Global IQ session with Jim Falk includes his declaration that dropping out of the Trans Pacific Partnership has “yielded home-field advantage” to the Chinese, that “this guy” who leads North Korea is a “gigantic challenge” and that U.S. budgeting faces “complete chaos.”

Dr. Robert Gates joined the World Affairs Council to celebrate education and sat for a Global IQ Minute Interview with Council President Jim Falk. Our two-part Global IQ opens with a brief praise of education by Dr. Gates, whose career includes service as Secretary of Defense and CIA Director. He then delves into such topics as Rex Tillerson’s challenges as Secretary of State, the American relationship with Russia and his advice for President Trump.

Beyond personality conflicts with President Donald Trump, Vicente Fox, Mexico's president 2000-2006, sees serious political and trade issues affecting the relationship between Mexico and the United States, i.e., the wall, NAFTA changes and "migration." In this Council Conference Call Series on U.S.-Mexico Relations, President Fox also answers insightful questions from callers who touch on not just U.S.-Mexico issues, but the global result of trade disruption in North America. Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk is sponsored by Greenberg Trauig LLP. Visit them at www.GTLaw.com for more information.

U.S. Ambassador James Jones (1993-1997), in our Conference Call Series on U.S.-Mexico Relations, says that while government levels are operating "maturely," the challenge is at the people level as President Trump has "managed to do something no other politician has been able to do: That is unite all the Mexican people against us." Hear the Ambassador’s "experienced" solution for some of these issues, his thoughts on NAFTA changes and his suggestion that Canada may be next to hear from President Trump. Global I.Q. Minute with Jim Falk is sponsored by Greenberg Trauig LLP. Visit them at www.GTLaw.com for more information.

Council President and CEO Jim Falk spoke with Sebastian Mallaby to discuss the future of the UK and the EU, along with how Fed Chair, Janet Yellen can learn from and avoid the same mistakes that Alan Greenspan made in his time as Federal Reserve Chairman.

In this fascinating Global IQ Minute, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is revealed as a Cicero-quoting historian and legal scholar who appreciates the American democracy. He is concerned about the "random nature of the death penalty," the careful balance of liberty and security and an America where citizens fail to understand "12th-grade civics." He also answers a question he was asked by the president of the Supreme Court of Ghana: "Why do people do what you say? ... You're only 9 people."

Council President and CEO sits down with Ambassador Thomas Pickering to discuss his views on President-Elect Trump's choice for UN Ambassador, Israel and Palestine's future and his role in the Bengazi hearings and legislative oversight.

Bob Woodward, Author and Journalist by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

Council President and CEO Jim Falk spoke with best-selling author, Kati Marton to discuss her newest book, "True Believer: Stalin's Last American Spy", about the life of Noel Fielding, one of Stalin's most faithful American spies.

Parag Khanna, Best-Selling Author by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

Council President and CEO Jim Falk spoke with French Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Gérard Araud, about his work in solidifying the Iran Nuclear Deal, how France and the EU are dealing with the influx of refugees and the similarities between the French and US elections.

Ex-CIA Briefer and Author, David Priess by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

Gen. Michael Hayden by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

General David Petraeus (US Army, Retired) by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth

Author and Journalist, Joby Warrick by World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth