Heard at Heritage

In 2015, Russian hackers tunneled deep into the computer systems of the Democratic National Committee, and the subsequent leaks of the emails they stole may have changed the course of American democracy. But to see the DNC hacks as Trump-centric is to miss the bigger, more important story: Within that same year, the Russians not only had broken into networks at the White House, the State Department, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but had placed implants in American electrical and nuclear plants that could give them the power to switch off vast swaths of the country. This was the culmination of a decade of escalating digital sabotage among the world’s powers, in which Americans became the collateral damage as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia battled in cyberspace to undercut one another in daily just-short-of-war conflict.The Perfect Weapon is the startling inside story of how the rise of cyberweapons transformed geopolitics like nothing since the invention of the atomic bomb. Cheap to acquire, easy to deny, and usable for a variety of malicious purposes—from crippling infrastructure to sowing discord and doubt—cyber is now the weapon of choice for democracies, dictators, and terrorists. Two presidents—Bush and Obama—drew first blood with Operation Olympic Games, which used malicious code to blow up Iran’s nuclear centrifuges, and yet America proved remarkably unprepared when its own weapons were stolen from its arsenal and, during President Trump’s first year, turned back on the US and its allies. The government was often paralyzed, unable to threaten the use of cyberweapons because America was so vulnerable to crippling attacks on its own networks of banks, utilities, and government agencies.Moving from the White House Situation Room to the dens of Chinese government hackers to the boardrooms of Silicon Valley, New York Times national security correspondent David Sanger—who broke the story of Olympic Games in his previous book—reveals a world coming face-to-face with the perils of technological revolution. The Perfect Weapon is the dramatic story of how great and small powers alike slipped into a new era of constant sabotage, misinformation, and fear, in which everyone is a target. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roger Scruton is the most prominent British conservative philosopher writing today. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion of the foundations of conservatism, the role of private property and markets in a free society, the proper role of government in the economic sphere, inequality, justice, the problems inherent in socialism, environmental conservatism, and why he is a reluctant capitalist. He is the author of over 40 books, most recently Conservatism: An Invitation to the Great Tradition.For a complete list of speakers, topics, and dates of the Free Markets: The Ethical Economic Choice speaker series visit heritage.org/free-markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In order to win the war against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, the United States must understand the enemy. Yet the problem of knowing the enemy has never been more acute, and the lack of consensus around this issue has never been more debilitating, for American foreign policy.Without a clear vision of who the U.S. is fighting, the government and military will not be able to distinguish ordinary Muslims from the extraordinary extremists, will be incapable of devising effective strategies for military and political efforts, and will not know which allies can be safe partners and which need to be avoided for being too close to the extremists. While there are many reasons for a lack of understanding the enemy, one of the most important is a deep disagreement about the role that Islam plays in motivating al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.This event will explore the notion that while a marginal version of Islam is the driver of extremism, it is possible to distinguish the jihadi-salafists from the majority of Muslims. A close examination of the jihadi- salafists’ belief system and methodologies will help the U.S. and allied governments formulate strategies to stop their spread. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nuclear industries in countries guided by democratic and free market principles have been challenged by various factors, including escalating regulatory burdens, rising construction costs, adverse domestic power markets, and atrophying supply chains. Emerging state-owned, vertically-integrated vendors in Russia and China pose an additional challenge, as these countries actively support civil nuclear exports throughout the world as a means to achieve their broader economic and strategic objectives. The fact that civil nuclear exports often entail decades-long political relationships bestows a significant competitive edge to Russian and Chinese nuclear corporations, which are poised to dominate the global nuclear market at current trends. Given these circumstances, nuclear suppliers in the U.S., France, Japan, and South Korea may seek to bolster their competitiveness by entering into enhanced multinational partnerships. Today’s distinguished panels draw from years of policy and commercial experience to highlight the successes of past partnerships and the need to continue and expand upon these relationships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Much controversy and mystery surrounds the use of special counsels. The term “special counsel” is a derivation of earlier roles, that all had the same goal: Removing the potential for a conflict of interest between the administration and an investigation by appointing an independent individual to conduct the investigation. What was referred to as the “Special Prosecutor” in Nixon’s Watergate era, was replaced by the “Independent Counsel” in the 1980s, and finally the “Special Counsel” of today’s Russia investigation. With the Mueller Investigation well into its second year, now is a good time to review the history and use of this independent investigatory and prosecutorial tool. Are special counsels constitutional? Are there limits to their authority? How should we protect against investigations straying too far from their original scope? Join us for a discussion with three expert panelists, including two former Independent Counsels, as we answer these questions, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting in the 1920s, Harvard University discriminated against Jewish students to limit the number of Jews enrolled at the university, with university president A. Lawrence Lowell saying they would “ruin the college.” Today, Harvard University is limiting the number of Asian American students at the university, according to an internal report commissioned by the university itself as well as a lawsuit filed by Students for Fair Admissions and complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Education by numerous Asian American organizations. Supporters of such bias claim it is needed to ensure “diversity” on campus. Does such discrimination violate federal civil rights law and the Constitution? Does Harvard’s “diversity” goal justify such bias? Discussing this will be a number of distinguished experts on civil rights law and the educational process, introduced and moderated by two senior Heritage scholars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2019 Index of U.S. Military Strength is The Heritage Foundation’s fifth annual assessment of the United States Armed Forces’ ability to provide for the common defense. The Index assesses the strength of each of the U.S. military services, the status of the threats we face, and the favorability of the environment in which the U.S. and its allies must be prepared to operate. Since the initial publication of the Index five years ago, the military has struggled in its capacity and readiness for operations—brought about by harmful budget caps, underinvestment in research and development, and decades of sustained engagement in the Middle East. Although the FY2018 and FY2019 defense budgets reflect positive growth for defense, military strength remains far below where it needs to be.Join us for the debut of the 2019 Index of U.S. Military Strength as well as a special discussion from noted national security experts who will discuss where we stand, and what we need to protect our national interests in a world where U.S. military superiority is not assured. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The concept of human dignity is one of Christianity's best gifts to the world. What would it look like for Christians to reclaim this idea and apply it the way we see ourselves and the world? What would a politics of human dignity look like? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Ronald Reagan took office in January 1981, the United States and NATO were losing the Cold War. The USSR had superiority in conventional weapons and manpower in Europe and had embarked on a massive program to gain naval preeminence. But Reagan already had a plan to end the Cold War without armed conflict.Reagan led a bipartisan Congress to restore American command of the seas by building the navy back to six hundred major ships and fifteen aircraft carriers. He adopted a bold new strategy to deploy the growing fleet to northern waters around the periphery of the Soviet Union and demonstrate that the NATO fleet could sink Soviet submarines, defeat Soviet bomber and missile forces, and strike aggressively deep into the Soviet homeland if the USSR attacked NATO in Central Europe. New technology in radars, sensors, and electronic warfare made ghosts of American submarines and surface fleets. The United States proved that it could effectively operate carriers and aircraft in the ice and storms of Arctic waters, which no other navy had attempted. The Soviets, suffocated by this naval strategy, were forced to bankrupt their economy trying to keep pace. Shortly thereafter the Berlin Wall fell, and the USSR disbanded. In Oceans Ventured, John Lehman reveals for the untold story of the naval operations that played a major role in winning the Cold War. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Modern nations rely on the use of the electrical grid for everything from strategic defense to making coffee in the morning. Without a functioning electrical grid, military action, mass transportation, farming, and even the production and refrigeration of vital medicines would be impossible. Over the last few decades, an increased reliance on electronics and lack of preparedness has left the United States electrical grid vulnerable to disruptions, including from effects of solar weather and electromagnetic pulse (EMP). These events could cause widespread failure of and permanent damage to the U.S. electrical grid and have the potential to devastate U.S. infrastructure, economy, and defense sectors. In response to this growing threat, some have sought to further regulate the grid; however other options must be considered. Join us as we discuss the potential impacts of these events on American infrastructure and population, as well as the critical tasks that should be undertaken to minimize such a threat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the release of the report, The Federal Estate Tax, Family Businesses and Jobs, 2018 and Beyond: A Study that Will Define the Death Tax Debate and commentary by policy experts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Constitution refers in several provisions to “citizen[s] of the United States,” but no express definition of that term appears in its text. Addressing this omission, the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees U.S. citizenship to “[a]ll persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”Scholars, such as Claremont Senior Fellow Ed Erler writing for the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, have argued that the original understanding of the term “jurisdiction” refers to an individual’s voluntary political allegiance to the United States. This link forms the social compact that lies at the heart of American constitutionalism.The recurring debate over birthright citizenship tends to overlook the critical requirement of social compact, focusing instead on birth alone. Our distinguished panel will elucidate this lost understanding of the Citizenship Clause and explore the historical and legal context behind the proper conception of republican citizenship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The WTO is front and center in much of the debate over trade policy toward China. There are questions about China’s compliance with the terms of its 2001 accession – a frequent target of government and private sector criticisms. There are charges that the WTO has proven useless in addressing Chinese violations of these terms, or that it is simply not equipped to do so. Some of the most hyperbolic commentary questions whether China should have ever been admitted to the WTO in the first place.What are the facts? How should China’s compliance or non-compliance with its obligations be fairly quantified and characterized? Can the WTO be used to address the areas where its compliance continues to lag? What is the WTO’s track-record in this regard? Might the U.S. make better use of the WTO in the current US-China trade impasse? Are there areas where the WTO can be reformed to better address challenges raised by China’s state-led economic model. Former chief judge of the WTO and two representatives from the American business community will help scope out the path ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What creates greater religious freedom and peaceful diverse societies? Many cultures and religious beliefs teach respect for people of different beliefs, yet we see persecution of religious minorities throughout South and Southwest Asia, from Hindu nationalists who persecute Muslims in India to radical Sunni Muslims who persecute Ahmadiyya in Pakistan. Christians also suffer discrimination and mistreatment in these regions and are the most persecuted religious group globally according to a study by the University of Notre Dame's Center for Ethics and Culture and the Religious Freedom Institute. Many thoughtful Muslims acknowledge that radical Islamism leads to terrorism and religious persecution. The reasons for its emergence are complex. What can be done about it?Join us for a discussion on fostering religious freedom and peace with Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, the President of Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy & Dialogue, the 106th Bishop of Rochester, and the former Bishop of Raiwind in Pakistan, and Hussain Haqqani, former Pakistani ambassador to the United States and Senior Fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at Hudson Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The truth about the fuel cell “promise” of inexpensive, clean energy is that it is actually very expensive and not very clean. Who is reaping benefits if it’s not the citizens of Delaware, whose taxes and electricity payments are subsidizing corporate moguls? Is it, in reality, clean energy if the fuel cells produce hazardous materials that are shipped to other states? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drawing simultaneously on moral insights from defenders of economic liberty such as F. A. Hayek and advocates of social justice such as John Rawls, Dr. Tomasi presents a theory of justice that is committed to both limited government and the material betterment of the poor. He argues that property rights are best defended not in terms of self-ownership or economic efficiency but as requirements of democratic legitimacy. He has written a book, Free Market Fairness, that offers a "market democratic" conception of social justice. In the book, he argues that free market fairness is also a distinctively American ideal, prominent in America's founding period, that protection of property and promotion of real opportunity are indivisible goals. Free market fairness is social justice, American style.Dr. Tomasi’s book led him to travel to Chile to speak on market democracy and, to his surprise, he ended up having lunch with the country’s president, Sebastián Piñera. This has resulted in a yearlong project that could see the market democracy model, which incorporates social justice and private economic freedom, applied at the policy level in Chile.For a complete list of speakers, topics, and dates of the Free Markets: The Ethical Economic Choice speaker series visit heritage.org/free-markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court returns October 1 for its 2018-2019 Term, and the justices will tackle of number of important issues. The Court will consider questions related to Congress’s ability to delegate legislative authority to executive branch officials or administrative agencies in Gundy v. United States, and the requirement that property owners seeking just compensation from the government for a “taking” must first exhaust all options in state court before applying to federal court in Knick v. Township of Scott, Pennsylvania. In Frank v. Gaos, the justices will look at the practice of courts issuing awards in class action lawsuits that line the pockets of third-party advocacy groups, rather than the individuals who were actually injured, and the scope of the federal government’s right to detain illegal immigrants who have committed crimes in Nielsen v. Preap. In Timbs v. Indiana, the Court will consider whether the Eighth Amendment’s “excessive fines” clause applies against the states. In addition to these and many others, what other cases on the horizon might the justices add to the docket? And how will the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy and the potential confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh shape the Court in the next term? Join us as two distinguished Supreme Court litigators discuss what is likely to unfold in the next Supreme Court term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield were resounding military successes, but many overlook their full complexity and achievement. These victories came with a whole of government effort, including skillful diplomacy coupled with stellar military execution with a broad coalition of partners. Operation Desert Storm especially helped to restore the fractured relationship between the military, Veterans, and the American Public following the Vietnam era. Given these factors, a closer look is worthwhile. Scott Stump will provide an overview of the environment these operations occurred in, the operations themselves, and their lasting legacy that still influences the world today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his speech at The Heritage Foundation, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will examine the strategic value of the NATO Alliance to the United States. For seven decades, NATO has preserved peace and stability in Europe, promoted democratic values, and been a consistent and significant force multiplier for the United States, both politically and militarily. The Secretary General will also set out the concrete steps taken at the NATO Summit in July to respond to a more unpredictable world, including greater defense spending and fair burden-sharing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past year, Cambodia began a rapid descent into one-party rule, a status solidified by elections in July of 2018. In 2017, opposition leader Kem Sokha was jailed; NGOs, the press, and civil society were effectively silenced; and Cambodia’s Supreme Court outlawed the existence of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. The outcome of the 2018 elections was all-but-determined before the Cambodian people rung in the New Year.Incumbent ruler Hun Sen extended his nearly 35-year reign another five years, and the Cambodian people feel more disenfranchised than ever. While the U.S. government has swiftly responded to Cambodia’s anti-democratic backslide, there is still more to be done. Please join us for a conversation on how to get Cambodia back on the path toward political reforms that promote the rights and freedoms of all Cambodians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fox News host and former government insider Steve Hilton shows how populism can be a positive force for improving lives, with revolutionary ideas to restore the economic security that working Americans once took for granted, and rebuild the ties of family, community and nation that have been ripped apart by decades of policies that favored big government, big business, and the powerful.Whether by challenging the excess power of corporations in our economy or the corrupt influence of donors and lobbyists in our government, the ideas in this book echo the intent of America’s founders by taking power from the ruling class and putting it in the hands of the people.For too long, populism has been defined by those who despise it. By focusing on what populism is for, and not just what it’s against, Hilton provides a coherent philosophy and practical blueprint for how the movement can have an impact beyond one election cycle, and in people's everyday lives. That’s Positive Populism.Steve Hilton is the host of The Next Revolution, a weekly show on Fox News. He was the director of strategy for former Prime Minister David Cameron and leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1794, when Congress appropriated $15,000 for relief of French refugees who fled from insurrection in San Domingo (now Haiti) to Baltimore and Philadelphia, James Madison stood on the floor of the House to object saying, “I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” Today, much of the federal budget is expended “on objects of benevolence.” Williams believes this not only points to the betrayal of the constitutional values that made our nation rich and free, but also the steep decline of morality among the American people that has permitted government to grow so big.For a complete list of speakers, topics, and dates of the Free Markets: The Ethical Economic Choice speaker series visit heritage.org/free-markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić will be visiting Washington for an official bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Pompeo on September 12 to emphasize important momentum in the U.S.-Croatia partnership. Croatia has a leading role in South East Europe in advancing the strategic alliance with the United States, and is committed to further building upon this privileged relationship to further advance security cooperation in the region. Croatia’s immediate Western Balkan neighborhood is undergoing major threats to its stability. The stabilization of South East Europe and cooperating on counter-terrorism remains an important strategic goal for both Croatia and the United States. Moreover, as an important member of NATO, Croatia has also shown commitment to the 2% goal in defense of budget increases and stands close with allies in the face of joint threats. Join us as Deputy Prime Minister Marija Pejčinović Burić discusses how to further advance Trans-Atlantic cooperation and continue to strengthen the important security alliance the two countries share. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This past July, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) proposed changes to regulations that implement portions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Public comments are due on these proposed changes by September 24, 2018.This discussion will touch on the Department’s proposed changes, why they are necessary, and how these changes will improve species conservation, transparency, and simplify complex regulatory processes.Please join us for a presentation by U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt as he discusses these proposals and explains why better implementation of the ESA will produce the best conservation results while reducing the regulatory burden on the American people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents often list school safety as the most important attribute they look for when choosing a school for their child. Ensuring student security requires school leaders and policymakers to consider the many factors at play in school safety. Historically, federal efforts to improve school safety have tended toward centralized policy, while state-level policy has failed to capture other breakdowns in school security, such as a when a student is persistently bullied.Updates to federal and state policy, such as providing school leaders with the flexibility to use existing federal funds in a manner that works for them to ensure school safety, while at the same time empowering parents to choose safe and effective schools that work for their children through Child Safety Accounts – also known as Safe Student Scholarships – are necessary steps forward.Join the Heritage Foundation, in conjunction with the Heartland Institute, for a conversation about the next steps for ensuring every child has access to a safe and effective school. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pax Americana – the global order established after the collapse of the Soviet Empire – is increasingly being challenged especially by former imperial behemoths China and Russia. There is a growing chorus questioning the so-called “Washington Consensus” in favor of a “Beijing Consensus” in economic policy. As the United States ceases to be the sole superpower willing and able to maintain a global PAX, today there is an increasing global “disorder.”Deepak Lal offers a study of the causes and consequences for this disorder, examining alternative claims for a desirable future economic policy. He argues that the origins of this increasing disorder lie, in part, in the great economic recession of 2008 in the United States, which has tarnished the free market based capitalism of the West. He examines how the U.S. (and its European outpost, the E.U), China, Russia, India and, potentially, Japan will be involved in this new “Great Game” and how their strategic decisions will determine whether we see a repeat of the past, with potentially another completely unnecessary world war, or if they will succeed in avoiding a reversion to their earlier types. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A finder or private placement broker is a person who is paid to assist small businesses to find capital by making introductions to investors. Finders are particularly important to Main Street small business people who do not have access to many highly affluent “accredited investors.” In 2000, the Securities and Exchange Commission created a regulatory cloud surrounding finders and issuers that use finders. Representative Ted Budd has introduced the Unlocking Capital for Small Businesses Act (H.R. 6127). This legislation would provide a safe harbor for finders and a reasonable regulatory regime for more active private placement brokers and have a positive impact on the ability of entrepreneurs to raise needed capital. Join us for a discussion of this important small business issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia’s efforts to influence the American presidential election have received massive political and media attention. Equally important, but much less publicized is Russia’s interference through support of left-wing causes and groups opposing president Trump. These attempts include phony Facebook groups, Twitter accounts, and other social media. Russia’s influence operations includes also support for political groups, disinformation through news outlets in the U.S. as well as Europe.As serious as Russia’s targeting of the Trump administration is, it also has profound and wider implications for Americans’ faith in their democratic institutions. It should therefore be of concern for all Americans. In his wildest dreams, Vladimir Putin could not have hoped for a more successful outcome of Russia’s influence operations than the exacerbated political divisions in the United Stated spurred by the last election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to succeed Justice Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court. In his twelve years serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Judge Kavanaugh has written hundreds of opinions. He has been lauded as a judge who tries to interpret the Constitution according to its original public meaning. The Senate Judiciary Committee will soon hold hearings to examine Judge Kavanaugh’s record and judicial philosophy. What kind of judge is he? How will his confirmation impact the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence? Join us at Heritage as a panel of experts analyze Judge Kavanaugh’s most significant rulings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s trade war with China and diplomatic engagement with North Korea have captured the headlines. But what of America’s stalwart ally Japan? Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had established the closest relationship with President Trump of any world leader. But Tokyo didn’t receive preferential treatment on tariffs and was surprised by the U.S. policy reversal on North Korea. Abe traveled to the U.S. to ensure Japanese priorities were addressed during the Trump-Kim summit.Does the U.S.-Japanese relationship remain strong or has Tokyo been overlooked in Washington’s pursuit of an agreement with Pyongyang? What role does Japan see for itself in tumultuous regional issues? How is the bilateral alliance evolving to addressing growing security challenges?Join us for a discussion with distinguished experts to cover these and other topics, as well as to make recommendations for U.S. policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judge Brett Kavanaugh is President Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. Now that he has stepped onto the national stage, the American people have an opportunity to get to know Judge Kavanaugh. What kind of boss, mentor, and judge is he? What can we expect from a Justice Kavanaugh? Join us as a panel of Judge Kavanaugh’s former law clerks describe their time working with him and explain why he will make an excellent Supreme Court justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Libertarians and conservatives both advocate of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets. Sometimes these shared values lead libertarians and conservatives to similar conclusions about public policy. However, the differences between the two political philosophies are at least as significant as the similarities.On matters such as national security and foreign policy, immigration, criminal justice, drugs, surveillance, marriage and the family, and the role of religion in public policy, libertarians and conservatives often clash with one another.Despite whatever similarities they may have, libertarianism and conservatism are substantially different world views. Which one has a deeper grasp of politics, the nation, and human beings? Which should be entrusted with safeguarding and prolonging our nation?We invite you to attend this debate about the two political philosophies and their associated policy implications. Interns from the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation will go head-to-head to answer the question: Is libertarianism or conservatism the superior political philosophy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On August 25, 2017 violence broke out in Rakhine State that led to the mass exodus of more than 700,000 Muslim Rohingya from Burma. Thousands of fleeing Rohingya men and boys were brutally murdered, women and girls were raped and sexually abused, and babies were killed before their family’s eyes at the hands of the notorious Burmese military. The United Nations calls the situation ethnic cleansing. And according to The Economist the refugee flow from Burma was faster than the exodus from Rwanda in the midst of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The United States has responded by providing substantial humanitarian assistance to alleviate suffering. As the protracted crisis continues, it will be critical for the U.S. to implement a comprehensive long-term strategy to address the Rohingya crisis. That may require a larger-scale shift in broader U.S. strategy toward Burma. Please join us for a conversation nearly a year after the crisis began to discuss solutions to the long-term challenges facing Rohingya. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Aaron Rhodes’ new book, The Debasement of Human Rights: How Politics Sabotage the Ideal of Freedom, identifies a dangerous trend in the international human rights movement. Increasingly, the natural rights of individuals, like religious freedom, are being conflated with manufactured rights which are the social and economic policy priorities of particular groups and governments. Natural rights protect the fairness of the political process by ensuring that individuals are free to think, speak, and act according to their convictions, including their religious beliefs. However, when governments and social groups can transform their economic and social policy goals into “human rights,” this undercuts the moral legitimacy and persuasive power of natural rights like religious freedom.Our panelists will discuss how robust protection of religious freedom will ultimately lead to economic prosperity and why natural rights are best protected when they are protected for all, not for members of particular identity groups. Join us for this discussion on the future of international religious freedom and the human rights movement. Light refreshments will be served. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a major policy address by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. As a leading voice for conservative healthcare solutions, we are honored to have Secretary Azar deliver this special address at The Heritage Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 9, President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to succeed Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Confirmation will not come without a fight. Progressives and other advocates of the "living Constitution" are already engaged in that battle. Judge Kavanaugh will be confronted with ideological challenges regarding his views on legal issues ranging from the powers of the administrative state to abortion rights. More broadly, critics of Judge Kavanaugh will no doubt take aim at his evident commitment to textualism and upholding the original meaning of the Constitution. How can supporters of Judge Kavanaugh best defend his nomination, answer these attacks, and use the confirmation process to advance the public's understanding of American constitutionalism?Our distinguished panel of legal scholars and Supreme Court experts will discuss the best strategies as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares for its hearing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please join us for the 10th Margaret Thatcher Freedom Lecture featuring a keynote address by The Right Honourable Liam Fox MP. In his remarks, Secretary Fox will discuss the economic, moral, and political case for free trade in the context of changing patterns of global trade. A particular focus of the lecture will be exploring the opportunities that Brexit creates for the trading relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.Secretary Fox was appointed Secretary of State for International Trade in July 2016 by Prime Minister Theresa May. A member of the Conservative Party, he was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1992 representing the constituency of North Somerset. Secretary Fox has held several ministerial roles including Constitutional Affairs Spokesman (1998-1999), Shadow Health Secretary (1999-2003), Conservative Party Chairman (2003-05), Shadow Foreign Secretary (2005), Shadow Defense Secretary (2005-10), and Secretary of State for Defense (2010-2011). Before being elected to Parliament, Liam Fox worked as a General Practitioner and is a former Civilian Army Medical Officer and Divisional Surgeon with St John Ambulance. Secretary Fox attended school at St Bride’s High School before studying medicine at the University of Glasgow Medical School, graduating with MB ChB degrees in 1983.The Freedom Lecture honors the principles, ideals, vision, and legacy of Lady Thatcher. Previous Margaret Thatcher Freedom Lecturers have included Ambassador John Bolton, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Charles Krauthammer, Charles Moore, Natan Sharansky, and the Hon. John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March, as President Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, he said that “trade wars are good and easy to win.” Following the president’s tariffs, Canada, Mexico, the EU, and other allies retaliated against the U.S., primarily targeting agricultural exports. The trade war is already threatening the livelihoods of thousands of factory workers, farmers, and ranchers. And that threat is growing and spreading daily.Join us for a discussion on the real impacts of the tariffs, and what the retaliation means for Americans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harmful lies are nothing new. But the ability to distort reality has taken an exponential leap forward with “deep fake” technology. This capability manufactures audio and video of real people saying or doing things they never said or did. Machine learning techniques are escalating the technology’s sophistication, making deep fakes ever more realistic and increasingly resistant to detection. Deep fake technology brings with it certain benefits, but also many harms. The marketplace of ideas already suffers from truth decay as our networked information environment interacts in toxic ways with our cognitive biases. Deep fakes will exacerbate this problem significantly. Individuals and businesses will face novel forms of exploitation, intimidation, and personal sabotage. The risks to our democracy and to national security are profound as well.Join us as we discuss this emerging challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feminism wrought great changes for women: it secured the right to vote, equal pay, and civil and political rights. But studies show that as the years have gone by since the early feminist movement, women have reported lower and lower levels of happiness. This has led to the question: Has feminism always protected women’s interests, or has it gotten off track in striving for change?Mona Charen sets out to answer this question by taking a look not only at contemporary feminism, but also feminist history. She explores whether demanding equality is the same as demanding sameness, or whether equality requires respecting and celebrating the differences between people. What are women’s interests, and what makes women happy and fulfilled? In answering these questions, she examines the ideas of such authors as Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill, Germaine Greer, and Betty Friedan. Charen looks at their conclusions in light of contemporary studies and statistics to show where these thinkers were right – and where they went wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On June 19, the United States announced that it was officially withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council. Prior to the announcement, the U.S. had engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts for more than a year to address the critical flaws of the Council, including persistent bias against Israel and the ability of human rights violators to win elections to the Council and undermine its effectiveness. Only after these efforts failed, did the U.S. withdraw. However, the U.S. also stated that was open to rejoining the Council if it were reformed. What reforms are necessary for the U.S. to return to the Council? Does U.S. withdrawal affect its financial support of and engagement with the Council, UN human rights experts, or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights? How will the U.S. continue to advance its human rights agenda outside of the Human Rights Council? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When then-Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott spoke to a Heritage audience in 2012, he summed the relationship up as “more than allies.” “We’re family,” he said. Family understand one another like no one else can. Indeed, that day, Mr. Abbott proved a keen observer of American politics and history. So, more than a year and a half into the Trump Administration, how does he see President Trump’s foreign, defense and trade policies? How do they align with Australia’s and how does he see the future of the U.S.-Australia alliance? These are among the many questions we hope to answer when the former Prime Minister addresses Heritage on the topic, Taking Trump Seriously.Tony Abbott served as the 28th Prime Minister of Australia, in office from September 2013 to September 2015. He was Leader of the Liberal Party from 2009 to 2015. Between 1996 and 2007, he was successively Parliamentary Secretary, Minister, Cabinet Minister and Leader of the House of Representatives in the Howard government. Abbott has been a Member of Parliament since 1994, representing Warringah in New South Wales. Prior to entering Parliament, he was a journalist with The Australian, a senior adviser to Opposition Leader John Hewson, and Director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy. He earned degrees in economics and law from Sydney University and a Master of Arts in politics and philosophy from Oxford which he attended as a Rhodes Scholar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Supreme Court’s 2017-2018 term will soon be over, but the need for serious analysis has just begun. Did the High Court get the big cases right? What will the Court’s ruling in Trump v. Hawaii mean for immigration and executive power? Is the future for religious freedom secure in the wake of Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. V. Colorado Civil Rights Commission? How will Gill v. Whitford and Benisek v. Lamone, the partisan gerrymandering cases, impact the upcoming mid-term elections? Will Janus v. AFSCME sound the death knell for public employee unions across the country? How will the Court’s arbitration agreements in Epic Systems affect employers and employees? What response, if any, is necessary from Congress following South Dakota v. Wayfair, the internet sales tax case? Did any broader themes of the Roberts Court emerge this term, and has Justice Gorsuch changed the balance of the Court? Please join us as our distinguished panels of practitioners and correspondents debate these and more from the 2017-2018 term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Americans love to trash their politicians as corrupt and self-interested, but they don’t agree on a solution. How can America attract good leaders to the thousands of elective offices in the land? In Politicians: The Worst Kind of People to Run the Government, Except for All the Others, Bruce Chapman lays out a bold plan for the changes we need to make in our public life if we are serious about enable worthy leaders to emerge to and to succeed. Drawing on history as well as his own extensive experience in politics and public policy, Chapman challenges the conventional wisdom about politicians, arguing that their chief rivals – the media, bureaucrats, college professors, and even political “reform” groups – are often sources of further political demoralization rather than renewal.Bruce K. Chapman worked on national and local campaigns throughout his life, started a magazine (Advance: A Journal of Political Thought), was an editorial writer for The New York Herald-Tribune, co-authored (with George Gilder)The Party That Lost its Head, and wrote The Wrong Man in Uniform, an early argument for an all-volunteer military. He served on the Seattle City Council in the 1970s, was elected Secretary of State of Washington twice, was chosen Director of the U.S. Census Bureau under President Reagan, and then served as a Deputy Assistant to the President in the White House. In the late 1980s he served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Organizations in Vienna. In 1991, he founded Discovery Institute, a public policy think tank that supports research on science, culture, economics, technology, transportation, national defense, and civic leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Heritage Foundation analysts noted in a recent research report, there is bipartisan dissatisfaction with the U.S. foreign assistance programs and calls for them to be overhauled. Unfortunately, these efforts often fall victim to politics wherein various interests stall reforms to protect their preferred priorities, programs, or allocations.For example, recent efforts to eliminate or reduce shipping and purchase requirements on food assistance that would allow the same funds to feed millions more hungry people around the world ran into Congressional resistance. Meanwhile, as the number of countries measuring up to its demanding good governance criteria dwindles, the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation has begun to emphasize regional programming.Join us for a robust discussion with our panelists as they share their perspectives on what is wrong with U.S. assistance programs, what should be done to improve them, and where the most promising opportunities are to achieve that objective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congressional oversight, derived from the implied powers in the U.S. Constitution and conducted since the earliest days of our Republic, is an essential tool in maintaining the separation of powers. In the decades since the New Deal, oversight has taken on additional importance as a needed restraint on the ever-expanding administrative state. During the Constitutional Convention, George Mason referred to this authority when he said that Members of Congress “are not only Legislators but they possess inquisitorial powers. They must meet frequently to inspect the Conduct of the public offices.” This important investigatory role includes the review, monitoring, and close scrutiny of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation, as well as anywhere that federal tax dollars flow, to ensure faithful compliance with congressional intent.Senator Grassley has been a leading advocate and trailblazer on bipartisan congressional oversight for decades. From his position in the Legislative Branch, he has kept a watchful eye on the other two branches to make sure the federal government works for, by and of the people. Join us for a timely speech by Senator Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on the critical importance and responsibility of congressional oversight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please join us as Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón, labor policy experts, and representatives from the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico discuss reforms to help Puerto Rico reach its economic potential by attracting jobs for the 3 million American citizens living on the island. Puerto Rico suffers from one of the lowest labor force participation rates in the world, in part due to heavy-handed labor laws that reduce job opportunities and welfare rules that penalize participation in the formal labor market. Hurricanes Irma and Maria exacerbated Puerto Rico’s labor challenges as workers have flocked to the mainland in search of steady employment and improved living conditions. The panel will analyze how to improve access to good and plentiful jobs in Puerto Rico, in turn helping the economy of Puerto Rico grow and flourish. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reverberations from the 2016 Presidential election continue to rattle the national political stage. In Bet You Didn’t See That One Coming, former Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich offers his analysis of the unexpected election of Donald J. Trump, the resultant earth-shattering changing of the guard in Washington, how it’s turned establishment politics on its head, and what it all means for the future of the nation.The 24/7 media circus that follows President Trump distracts from the fundamental issue of what his election means for America going forward. Bet You Didn’t See That One Coming explains how Barack Obama’s progressive policies helped ignite the ultimate anti-Obama political warrior – and how a neophyte politician’s new blend of populism, nationalism, and traditional Republican policies is pulling a polarized country back toward the right.Governor Robert L. Ehrlich is a graduate of Princeton University and Wake Forest University School of Law and is a former Governor of Maryland as well as a former United States Congressman and state legislator. He is also the author of Turn This Car Around,America: Hope for Change, and Turning Point, in addition to columns and opinion pieces that have appeared in America’s leading newspapers and periodicals, including The Washington Examiner,The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Times, The Weekly Standard, and National Review. Currently, Governor Ehrlich is a partner at the firm of King & Spalding in Washington, D.C. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s child welfare system is overburdened. The opioid crisis is putting thousands more children at risk. In response, some states are recruiting new families to foster and, in some cases, to adopt through partnerships with faith-based agencies and faith communities. Other states are suspending cooperation with child welfare agencies because of their religious beliefs. These disagreements have led to litigation in multiple states and the displacement of thousands of children.As the need for the number of foster and adoptive families increases, America needs solutions that work best for children. Please join us for an address by Governor Bevin followed by a panel discussion on this pressing issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the release of The Heritage Foundation’s Blueprint for Balance – a detailed policy agenda for Congress to balance the budget without raising taxes, ensure a strong national defense, and protect individual liberty and economic freedom.Heritage experts will review the need for fiscal and policy reforms this year, the opportunities before lawmakers to make their mark on appropriations and the budget process, and what’s next on tax reform. With fiscal year 2019 spending bills in full swing in Congress, lawmakers are setting spending priorities and pursuing policy reforms for next year and the years ahead. At the same time, the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform is holding hearings to identify and recommend reforms to improve the budget process this fall. With $21 trillion in national debt, a projected $800 billion deficit this year, and a budget process that has not worked as intended since 1996, reform is critical to reviving fiscal discipline and preventing a fiscal crisis from undermining economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity for Americans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.