NMC's International Affairs Forum Schedule Announced

The International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College launches its 31st season of global issues programming with back-to-back events on Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19. 

Programs start at 6:30 PM Eastern at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium, 1701 E. Front St., Traverse City with a welcome reception at 5:30 P.M.

Events are presented in hybrid format; in-person events are available to livestream online. Public programs continue throughout the academic year. All IAF events on campus at NMC are free for students and educators, including all NMC employees and employees of all local schools. Find more information at TCIAF.com.

IAF’s educational programming at NMC is free for students and educators, and open to the public thanks to its supporting members, regional partners, business sponsors, and Northwestern Michigan College.

The Gaza Catastrophe: Is There An Endgame?
Wednesday, September 18, 6:30 PM
Hybrid event, in person at Dennos Museum Center & online

IAF will host Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and director of MEI’s Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs. Elgindy is the author of Blindspot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to Trump (Brookings Institution Press, 2019). Elgindy is an adjunct assistant professor at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies (CCAS) at Georgetown University. He promises to reframe the media narrative on Gaza to launch IAF's 31st season.

Professor Elgindy’s book will be available for purchase and signing at the event, courtesy of Brilliant Books, independent bookseller located at 118 E. Front St. in downtown Traverse City.
 

Putin's Provocations: Threats to Global Security
Thursday, September 19, 6:30 PM
Hybrid event, in person at Dennos Museum Center & online

IAF welcomes Fiona Hill, Ph.D., senior fellow in foreign policy at the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution. Dr. Hill served as the former deputy assistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council 2017-2019. She is the author of There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the 21st Century (Harper Collins, 2023).

Notably, Dr. Hill was appointed in July 2024 to lead the UK government’s strategic defence review. According to Durham University, at which Dr. Hill serves as chancellor:

Chancellor and distinguished foreign affairs expert, Dr Fiona Hill, has been appointed by the Prime Minister Keir Starmer to co-lead a comprehensive review of the UK Armed Forces…This Strategic Defence Review, commissioned by the Prime Minister and overseen by the Defence Secretary John Healey, will aim to ensure that Britain remains secure at home and strong abroad in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Dr. Hill’s book will be available for purchase and signing at the event, courtesy of Brilliant Books, independent bookseller located at 118 E. Front St. in downtown Traverse City.
 

U.S. - Australia Relations, Submarines, Climate Change & Trade in the Indo-Pacific
Thursday, October 3
In-person event at the Old Art Building, Leland

IAF welcomes Chris Elstoft, Consul General of Australia in Chicago, to a special event at The Old Art Building in Leland, Michigan. This gathering is presented by IAF in partnership with The Old Art Building. Tickets will be limited for this special event. More details coming soon to TCIAF.com and OldArtBuilding.com.
 

Global Migration & The Southern Border
Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 PM
Hybrid event, in person at Dennos Museum Center & online

IAF will host a discussion on global migration trends, including key dynamics on the U.S. Southern border, featuring two expert guest speakers. 

Alan Bersin served as the former assistant secretary in the Office of Policy in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2012-2017. He is the former Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection from 2010-2011. Bersin served as California's Secretary of Education in the Administration of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Andrew Selee, Ph.D. is the president of the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), “an independent, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to improve immigration and integration policies through authoritative research and analysis, opportunities for learning and dialogue, and the development of new ideas to address complex policy questions.” Prior to his work at MPI, Dr. Selee was the founder & executive vice president of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center.

Alan Bersin will speak in person and Andrew Selee, Ph.D. will appear via video link for this hybrid event at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium.
 

The Energy Landscape Amidst Climate Change
Thursday, November 14, 6:30 PM
In person at Dennos Museum Center & online

IAF will host a discussion on the energy sector and climate change with John Pournoor, Ph.D., the CEO and founder of Government Analytica. Dr. Pournoor has 35 years of experience working at the nexus of governments and industry, most recently as VP of Government Affairs at 3M with operations in 29 states and in over 37 countries. Pournoor will illuminate economic megatrends related to the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables.