Great Power Competition

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Regional Perspectives on the Afghanistan Peace Process

This panel will discuss the Great Powers and the Regional Countries' interests in Afghanistan, the adversial and/or cooperative postures held, and the impact on the United States' position.   

Moderator:  Dr. Andrew Wilder (USIP)

Panelists:      Ambassador Ali Jalali (NESA)
                       Dr. Marvin Weinbaum (MEI)
                       Dr. Barnett Rubin (NYU)
                       Mr. Saad Mohseni (Moby Group)                                                                                     

Panel Discussion Questions:

What are the Great Powers and the Regional Countries' interests in Afghanistan?
How can the Great Powers and the Regional Countries best support the ongoing peace-efforts to find a lasting solution to the Afghan conflict?
What is the U.S. national interest in the Afghanistan post-peace settlement ("enduring presence"), and how might the "presence" be perceived by each of the Regional Countries?
What are the areas of cooperation among the Great Powers and the Regional Countries in establishing a stable and peaceful Afghanistan?                                                      

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Regional Perspectives on Iran
This panel will address the unique relationships that exist between Iran and China and Russia and between Iran and the GCC, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon on U.S. Policy in the Middle East.                                

Moderator:  Dr. Mohsen Milani (USF)

Panelists:     Dr. Ariane Tabatabai (RAND)
                        Ms. Jillian Burns (GWU)
                        Mr. Michael Singh (Washington Inst.)
                        Ms. Barbara Slavin (RAND)

Panel Discussion Questions:

What is the nature of the relationship between Iran and China and Russia? How does Iran fit into the Great Power competition space?
What is the nature of the relationship between Iran and the GCC, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon on U.S. policy in the Middle East?
What indicators can the U.S. use to measure the success or failure of the U.S. Maximum Pressure policy toward Iran? What are the major signs that the U.S. and Iran are moving toward war or toward rapprochement?   

PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Regional Diplomacy Panel
This panel will discuss the key issues for stakeholders within and beyond the region

Moderator:  Ms. Brianne Todd (NESA) 

Panelists:     Dr. Mohsen Milani (USF)
                        Dr. Barnett Rubin (NYU)
                        Dr. Marvin Weinbaum (MEI)
                        Ambassador Michael Ranneberger (USF)

Panel Discussion Questions:

How can the Regional Countries, with the cooperation of the Great Powers, best support ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a lasting political solution to the conflicts in Afghanistan and elsewhere?
How can the Great Powers and the Regional Countries cooperate in Counterterrorism, Counter Narcotics, and Countering Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC)?
How does local culture, governance, and politics impact diplomacy for each of the Great Powers and Regional Competitors?

Regional Economics Panel

This panel will discuss the regional economic challenges and opportunities.

Moderator:  Dr. Adib Farhadi (USF)

Panelists:     Dr. Frederick Starr (AFP Council)
                        Dr. Richard Ponzio (Stimson Center)
                        Mr. Mitchell Shivers (Hughes & Shivers)
                        Mr. Michael Peters (Harvard University)

Panel Discussion Questions:

How can regional connectivity across Central and South Asia improve relations with the Great Powers, generate jobs and public revenue, and buttress efforts to foster political stability in Afghanistan and elsewhere?
How is China's Belt-and-Road initiative helping or hindering progress toward economic integration of Central and South Asia?
How have the five Central Asian Republics come together in recent years politically and economically to better manage the competing interests of Great Powers operating in their region? 

Regional Security Panel 

This panel will discuss the security trends, threats, and areas of cooperation between the Great Powers and Regional Countries.

Moderator:  COL (R) Jack Gill (NESA)  

Panelists:     Maj. Gen. (R) Edward Reeder (Five Star Global Security)
                        Dr. Richard Russell (NESA)
                        Mr. Andre Hollis (Tiger International)
                        Dr. Anda Jackson (Independent)

Panel Discussion Questions:

What is the greatest emerging threat that will impact the region post-2020?
What are the security considerations in support of economic development as it relates to Counter-Narcotics, Counter Threat Finance, and Counter Illicit Trafficking?
How do the Regional Countries maintain a security balance between their neighbors and major global powers?
How will demographic trends and the Islamic landscape shape the region (i.e., youth bulge)? To what degree are we seeing militant groups proliferate or remain static? 

Information Environment Panel 

This panel will address the ways in which the U.S. can better leverage Information Environment to support a stable region.  

Moderator:  COL Andrew Whiskeyman (CENTCOM)                                    

Panelists:      Mr. Thomas Wingfield (NDU)
                         Dr. Sean Ryan (West Liberty University)
                         Dr. Randy Borum (USF)
                         Dr. Mark Abdollahian (Claremont)
                         Mr. Ernie Ferraresso (USF)
                                                                                                                                                      Panel Discussion Questions:

What risks do the U.S. face in the Information Environment as it relates to Central Asia?
In what ways will the Great Powers influence the region in the Information Environment after a negotiated peace? How will they attempt to undermine or amplify peace and stability efforts?            

CLOSING REMARKS

Dean Eric Eisenberg, College of Arts and Sciences, USF