Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• July Reading Group

  • When
    18 Jul 2019
  •  
    7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Location
    7729 E Greenway Rd, Suite 300, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

  Register

  PCFR Member  Only Event      

  

  JULY READING GROUP

  New Americanism, Why a Nation Needs a National Story by Jill Lepore
  

  The Importance of Elsewhere, In Defense of Cosmopolitanism by Kwame A. Appiah

  Why Nationalism Works, And Why It Isn’t Going Away by Andreas Wimmer

  False Flags, The Myth of Nationalist Resurgence by Jan-Werner Muller

  
  

  View & Download these articles here

  
  

  Venue

  7729 E Greenway Road, Suite 300
  Scottsdale, AZ 85260
  (one block south of Greenway Hayden off 73rd St)

  Thursday, July 18, 2019 | 7:30-9:00 am

  Reification is a fallacy of ambiguity, when an abstraction is treated as if it were a concrete real item or real event. An example is using the term ‘ghost’ as if everyone knows precisely what it means, Casper or the devil? In reality, as Plato and his students taught, all words are vague and ambiguous and in communication, we never fully know what is meant by terms used by others, or for that matter, our selves, because terms, even in the same time period have a multitude of meanings and because terms shift in meaning over time. Additional examples are socialism, communism, capitalism debated daily but mean different things to different people.

  A major debate today is value of the resurgence of ‘nationalism’ and the associated ‘populist ‘ appeal. As reified examples, what in your mind is nationalism and populism as we use the term today and as we used the terms in the past, how does the terms relate to internationalism and globalization and ultimately what are the strengths and weaknesses of these movements? How does nationalism and populism impact the elections in U.S., Europe ( BREXIT, Hungary, Italy Turkey, Germany, France etc.), Asia, the Middle East, South, the other Americas and Africa)?

  Even though “Among countries with populations above one million, democracies have risen from 11 in 1900 to 86 in 2006 …We have seen 12 consecutive years of erosion of political rights and civil liberties…over the past decade, one in six democracies have failed….Today, only a bare majority of the world’s larger states remain democracies.” (Larry Diamond, Hoover Institution, The Global Crisis of Democracy, Profit Freedom House) .Diamond never defines ‘democracy’, clearly a reified term, but regardless of the absolute accuracy of the stats, we can understand the gravity of this political situation.

  Please review the 4 commentaries from Foreign Affairs. The author’ thoughts will help us grapple with the benefits and costs the the new nationalism.

  View & Download these articles here
  

  As an alert, possible topics for future sessions are foreign aid, Churchill vs. Orwell. Stay tuned!

  Show details
• Update on the US-Mexico Relationship

  • When
    23 Jul 2019
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
  • Location
    Snell & Wilmer, 400 E Van Buren St # 10, Phoenix, AZ 85004

  Register

  
  

  topical DISCUSSION
  

  Tuesday, July 23, 2019 | 11:30 am-1:15 pm
  

  SCHEDULE:
  Lunch & Networking: 11:30 am-12:00 pm
  Program: 12:00-1:15 pm

  
  

  VENUE: 

  Snell & Wilmer

  400 E Van Buren St # 10

  Phoenix, AZ 85004

  
  

  REGISTRATION:

  Member & Non-Member Registration: $30

  
  

  TOPICAL DISCUSSION:

  Update on the US-Mexico Relationship

  
  

  TALKING POINTS:

  1. Arizona’s trade with Mexico continues to grow. 
  2. Discussion will focus on the areas of opportunity and some of the challenges that companies need to consider.

  
  

  ABOUT LUIS RAMIREZ:
  

  Luis is the President of Ramírez Advisors Inter-National, LLC. Ramirez Advisors is a highly specialized firm dedicated to creating and implementing innovative solutions for cross-border business opportunities and improving the ability for goods and people to cross the border. Luis has over 25 years of experience on US-Mexico border infrastructure projects, North American relations, international business and negotiations, regional economic development, industrial site selection, government procurement, project management and governmental affairs. Luis has dedicated a considerable amount of time, both personal and professional, to fostering better relations with Mexico and Canada, improving the quality of life for the residents of the border and promoting the economic development of the region. He has led multidisciplinary teams on a number of cross-border projects, including site selection for major manufacturing facilities; design, funding and construction of new ports of entry; assisted companies in pursuing government procurement contracts; and identifying joint venture partners for a variety of business ventures. He serves on multiple professional and charitable boards and was recently appointed to the Advisors Council to the Administrator of the EPA for the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Luis received his Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Arizona, Cum Laude and his Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University with a Dean’s Citation of Service. He attended High School in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

  
  

  Show details
• Status of Arizona’s National Guard’s Global Presence: An Extended Service

  • When
    25 Sep 2019
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Gainey Ranch Golf Club at 7600 E Gainey Club Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

  Register

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  DINNER EVENT

  
  

  Wednesday, September 25, 2019 | 6:00-8:30 pm
  

  SCHEDULE:
  Cocktail Reception: 6:00-6:45 pm
  Dinner: 6:45-7:30 pm
  Program: 7:30-8:30 pm

  VENUE: 
  Gainey Ranch Golf Club
  7600 E Gainey Club Dr
  Scottsdale, AZ 85258

  REGISTRATION:

  Early-Bird Rate through September 14
  Standard Registration: $55
  Standard Registration (Non-Member): $70

  After September 14

  Standard Registration: $65
  Standard Registration (Non-Member): $80
  Table (up to 8 attendees): $600

  
  

  Status of Arizona’s National Guard’s Global Presence:

  An Extended Service
  

  
  

  Please join Major General Michael McGuire to discuss the status of Arizona’s National Guard’s forces in supporting military operations and Arizona’s interests. Major General McGuire will present a variety of topics dealing with global activities, border security, support of civilian activities, emergency management, and relations with foreign militaries. This event will provide a unique opportunity to dialogue with the head of the Arizona National Guard on important and timely national and domestic security and emergency preparedness issues.         

  About Major General Michael T. McGuire

  Major General Michael T. McGuire is The Adjutant General, Arizona and concurrently serves as the Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. He is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of Arizona’s Army and Air National Guard, Joint Programs, and the Division of Emergency Management. He leads an 8,000 member department, of which 2,400 are full-time federal military and civilian personnel and 600 are full-time state employees.

  General McGuire received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1987. He attended undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, followed by several operational, combat and training assignments in the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He joined the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing, Tucson International Airport in 2001 as an F-16 instructor pilot 2010, commanded the 214th Reconnaissance Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he flew the MQ-1B Predator and led the unit in combat operations in support of overseas contingencies. Prior to assuming his current duties, he served as Commander, 162nd Fighter Wing. General McGuire is a Fighter Weapons School Graduate and a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, and 250 combat and combat-support flying hours.

  Show details
• National Insecurities: America and the World 2020-2050

  • When
    16 Oct 2019
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Gainey Ranch Golf Club at 7600 E Gainey Club Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

  Register

  
  

  
  

  DINNER EVENT
  

  
  

  Wednesday, October 16, 2019 | 6:00-8:30 pm
  

  SCHEDULE:
  Cocktail Reception: 6:00-6:45 pm
  Dinner: 6:45-7:30 pm
  Program: 7:30-8:30 pm

  VENUE: 
  Gainey Ranch Golf Club
  7600 E Gainey Club Dr
  Scottsdale, AZ 85258

  REGISTRATION:

  Early-Bird Rate through October 5th
  Standard Registration: $55
  Standard Registration (Non-Member): $70

  After October 5th

  Standard Registration: $65
  Standard Registration (Non-Member): $80
  Table (up to 8 attendees): $600

  
  

  National Insecurities: America and the World 2020-2050
  with Carmen Medina, Former CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence
  

  
  

  In the next 30 years, the US will be navigating an increasingly challenging international environment. World power as is traditionally defined will shift to Asia, particularly China. Traditional Western levers of influence are likely to decline. The economic landscape will be irrevocably altered with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and perhaps Quantum Computing. And by 2050, the signs of a declining global population will be there for all to see. Countries will be competing for immigrants and workers; the tenets of capitalism--built on constant demographic and economic growth--will be sorely challenged. How can America best navigate these headwinds and prosper despite them?                    

  Show details
• How America Can Make the World More Peaceful

  • When
    20 Feb 2020
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Gainey Ranch Golf Club at 7600 E Gainey Club Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

  Register

  
  

  
  

  DINNER EVENT

  
  

  Thursday, February 20, 2020 | 6:00-8:30 pm
  

  SCHEDULE:
  Cocktail Reception: 6:00-6:45 pm
  Dinner: 6:45-7:30 pm
  Program: 7:30-8:30 pm

  VENUE: 
  Gainey Ranch Golf Club
  7600 E Gainey Club Dr
  Scottsdale, AZ 85258

  REGISTRATION:

  Early-Bird Rate through February 9
  Standard Registration: $55
  Standard Registration (Non-Member): $70

  After February 9

  Standard Registration: $65
  Standard Registration (Non-Member): $80
  Table (up to 8 attendees): $600

  
  

  Topic of Discussion

  
  

  HOW CAN AMERICA MAKE THE WORLD MORE PEACEFUL

  WITH ambassador RICK BARTON, AUTHOR OF

  Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World

      

  About Ambassador Rick Barton

  Ambassador Rick Barton teaches at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, where he serves as a co-director of Princeton’s Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative and Ullman Fellowships. His 2018 book, Peace Works: America's Unifying Role in a Turbulent World, uses a mix of stories, history, and analysis to offer an affirmative approach to foreign affairs through concrete and attainable solutions. Barton started USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, and was America’s ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in New York, the UN’s Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva and the first Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations. He led conflict management initiatives in over 40 crisis zones across the globe, from Haiti, Iraq, Nigeria, Burma, Pakistan to Turkey. Published in The New York Times, the Washington Post, Politico, The Boston Globe, and numerous other international outlets, Barton is a guest on news shows ranging from NPR to all of the major networks. He resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife of 43 years, Kit Lunney.

  Review of Peace Works: America's Unifying Role in a Turbulent World

  By G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs

  Part memoir and part scholarly study, this book provides one of the most thoughtful reflections yet on U.S. interventionism and peacemaking since the end of the Cold War. Drawing on his years as a diplomat, Barton argues that although the United States has stumbled badly in humanitarian interventions, it should not abandon the task but rather go about it in new ways, working with local groups and staying in the background. Barton draws specific lessons from several recent U.S. interventions. In Bosnia, the United States created incentives for people to collaborate by supporting local institutions that cut across ethnic divides. In Rwanda, after the genocide, aid to women in the countryside encouraged small steps toward peace. After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the lesson was to direct economic assistance to local civic leaders who had the trust of the wider public. In the future, states will continue to fail or collapse into civil war, and ethnic violence will continue to sprawl across poor regions of the world. Barton’s message to American decision-makers is to be humble and patient and to stay as close as possible to the people at the bottom of society. 

  Show details