Dr. Schuyler Foerster

Often, as new hot spots develop around the world we focus on immediate issues and often lose sight of the greater global and historical context. Our October 21st speaker, renowned scholar and practitioner, Dr. Schuyler Foerster will help us explore how to connect the dots as we explore several key questions. Among them are:

  • 1. Have the US and the other interdependent global actors sufficiently modified their world view following the end of the Cold War? 
  • Last month's speaker, Dr. Ervin Rokke spoke convincingly that while circumstances have dramatically changed, our national response has lagged. 
  • 2. As we entered the 21st Century and as America sat on the world's summit Henry Kissinger wondered if our position "…would gradually unite the world against the US…”. Can we stay at the top without world alienation?
  • 3. What would and should America fight for? Actions by the US during the last four decades have many in the US and abroad asking this question. Can it be answered?

In the context of these and other critical questions, Dr. Foerster will examine "The Big Five"--Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iraq/Syria/ISIS(L), Russia and Ukraine, China, and Iran and North Korea.

Dr. Foerster is highly qualified to help the Colorado Foothills World Affairs Council members work through these difficult questions. He received his doctorate in politics and strategic studies at Oxford University and his Master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at The American University. His undergraduate work was done at the US Air Force Academy. Considered a dynamic speaker and scholar, he has lectured on international relations across the United States and abroad and published widely. He has been a senior advisor on security and arms control policy.

 He is intimately involved with the World Affairs Councils of America. He served as the full-time President and CEO of one of WACA's preeminent affiliates in Pittsburgh for nearly a decade and is now on the executive committee of the national board. Until recently he was President of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council. Currently he is the Brent Scowcroft Professor of National Security Studies at the USAFA.