2 days
1 panel discussion
1 public debate

Pittsburgh, PA

October 19-20, 2017

For our inaugural trip, CNAS is coming to the “Steel City” from Thursday, October 19 to Friday, October 20. We’re bringing two distinguished European guests with us: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the former German Minister of Defense, and Karin Olofsdotter, the current Swedish Ambassador to the United States.

19
America’s Relationship with Europe – Does it Matter?
A panel discussion and luncheon hosted by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh in downtown Pittsburgh.

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Omni William Penn Hotel

This event will feature Mr. zu Guttenberg and Ambassador Olofsdotter, as well as Dr. Kiron K. Skinner, Professor of International Relations and Political Science at Carnegie Mellon University, and Ms. Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President of the American Council on Germany.

We anticipate a lively discussion on the future of the transatlantic relationship and we hope to address the many challenges associated with globalization, such as outsourcing and growing income inequality, trade, as well as climate change and the role of international institutions like NATO, the EU, and the UN.

To find more information about this event, click here.

19
Public Debate
Hosted at the local public library in Peters Township, Pennsylvania

Time 7:00 PM
Peters Township Public Library

The topic will be on the future of the transatlantic relationship, and the goal is to bring together people from both sides of the political aisle to glean insights and debate different viewpoint on US foreign policy.

Between the larger public events, we will also be engaging with local business, media, and government leaders around the city. We are meeting with the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and engaging with local political leaders, including members of the Republican National Committee and Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald. Finally, we will be visiting the young, bright minds at the European Studies Center of the University of Pittsburgh to engage the next generation of national leaders and get their thoughts on some of the toughest questions facing the United States today: Do alliances matter? What does the average young American think about NATO, Europe, Russia and many other foreign policy issues?

For our inaugural trip, CNAS visited the “Steel City” on Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20. We brought two distinguished European guests with us: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the former German Minister of Defense, and Karin Olofsdotter, the current Swedish Ambassador to the United States.

Our first event was a panel discussion in downtown Pittsburgh featuring Mr. zu Guttenberg and Ambassador Olofsdotter, along with Dr. Kiron Skinner, Director of the Institute for Politics and Strategy at Carnegie Mellon University, and Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at CNAS. They had a lively discussion on the future of the transatlantic relationship and addressed many topics, such as challenges associated with globalization (like outsourcing and growing income inequality), trade, the role of international institutions like NATO and the EU, international crises such as North Korea, and how the US-European relationship may evolve in the coming years.

At the Peters Township Public Library, CNAS brought together people from both sides of the political aisle to glean insights and debate different viewpoints on US foreign policy. Over 100 people turned out for the event, and we discussed issues ranging from the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, to divisions across Europe on foreign and defense policy.

Between the larger public events, CNAS also engaged with local business, media, and government leaders around the city. We met with the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Audrey Russo. We also engaged with local political leaders, including the President of the Republican Leadership Council, Andy Dlinn, and Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald. Finally, we visited the young, bright minds at the European Studies Center of the University of Pittsburgh to engage the next generation of national leaders and get their thoughts on some of the toughest questions facing the United States today: Do alliances matter? What does the average young American think about NATO, Europe, Russia and many other foreign policy issues?

Media

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (October 18, 2017)
‘Across the Pond, In the Field’: bringing U.S. foreign policy out of the Washington bubble
Op-Ed by Julianne Smith, CNAS

Brussel Sprouts Podcast

Panelist Bios

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, former German Minister of Defense, served as Minister of Economics and Technology and then as Minister of Defense in the cabinet of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. As the youngest Defense Minister in German history, he led the most significant structural reform of the German armed forces since the Bundeswehr’s founding.

Read his full bio here.

Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter took up her post as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden to the United States of America on September 1, 2017. Before her assignment to Washington, DC, she served as Director-General for Trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Sweden from September 1, 2016. Ambassador Olofsdotter has also held the position of Deputy Director General and Head of the Department for Promotion of Sweden, Trade and CSR in Stockholm in the two years prior.

Read her full bio here.

Julianne (“Julie”) Smith, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, served as the Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States from 2012-2013.

Read her full bio here.

Professor Kiron K. Skinner is Associate Professor International Relations and Political Science in the Department of Social and Decision Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. She is a renowned expert in international relations, US foreign policy, and political strategy, is a scholar, an academic administrator, and a tireless public servant.

Read her full bio here.

Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President of the American Council on Germany, served as President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh from July 2010 until April 2015. Prior to that, he was the Vice President and Director of Programs at the American Council on Germany for nearly eight years. In addition to his work at the ACG, in 2003, he launched the Political Salon, a forum that regularly convenes younger and mid-career professionals in New York City to discuss pressing foreign policy issues and global concerns.

Read his full bio here.

Photo Gallery

  1. 1. October 19- Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS; Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S., Karin Olofsdotter; former German Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg; and Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, meet with Dan Simpson and John Allison of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
    1. October 19- Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS; Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S., Karin Olofsdotter; former German Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg; and Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, meet with Dan Simpson and John Allison of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
  2. October 19- Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS; Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S., Karin Olofsdotter; former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg; and Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, meet with Dan Simpson and John Allison of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
    October 19- Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS; Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S., Karin Olofsdotter; former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg; and Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, meet with Dan Simpson and John Allison of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
  3. October 19- Dr. Kiron Skinner, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, and Julianne Smith take part in a public event at the Omni William Penn Hotel co-hosted with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
    October 19- Dr. Kiron Skinner, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, and Julianne Smith take part in a public event at the Omni William Penn Hotel co-hosted with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
  4. October 19- Dr. Kiron Skinner, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, Julianne Smith, and Dr. Steven Sokol take part in a public event at the Omni William Penn Hotel co-hosted with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
    October 19- Dr. Kiron Skinner, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, Julianne Smith, and Dr. Steven Sokol take part in a public event at the Omni William Penn Hotel co-hosted with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
  5. October 19- Angelica Ocampo, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, interviews former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on KQV World Affairs Report.
    October 19- Angelica Ocampo, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, interviews former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on KQV World Affairs Report.
  6. October 19- Angelica Ocampo, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, interviews Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS, and former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on KQV World Affairs Report.
    October 19- Angelica Ocampo, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, interviews Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS, and former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on KQV World Affairs Report.
  7. October 19- Julianne Smith, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Christian Hänel meet with Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald in downtown Pittsburgh.
    October 19- Julianne Smith, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Christian Hänel meet with Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald in downtown Pittsburgh.
  8. October 19- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald shake hands after a fascinating discussion on Pittsburgh past and present.
    October 19- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald shake hands after a fascinating discussion on Pittsburgh past and present.
  9. October 19- Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald, explains how Pittsburgh transformed itself from a steel town to a present-day tech mecca.
    October 19- Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald, explains how Pittsburgh transformed itself from a steel town to a present-day tech mecca.
  10. October 19- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg listens as Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald talks about his role in the city of Pittsburgh.
    October 19- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg listens as Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald talks about his role in the city of Pittsburgh.
  11. October 19- Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter writes notes on how Pittsburgh and Sweden could look to each other to make breakthroughs in technology, like Bus Rapid Transit.
    October 19- Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter writes notes on how Pittsburgh and Sweden could look to each other to make breakthroughs in technology, like Bus Rapid Transit.
  12. October 19- Christian Hänel asks Rich Fitzgerald how the city of Pittsburgh attracts and supports immigrant communities.
    October 19- Christian Hänel asks Rich Fitzgerald how the city of Pittsburgh attracts and supports immigrant communities.
  13. October 19- Julianne Smith, Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter speak to a crowd of over 100 at the Peters Township Public Library.
    October 19- Julianne Smith, Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter speak to a crowd of over 100 at the Peters Township Public Library.
  14. October 19- Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter listen on as an event attendee asks about the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
    October 19- Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter listen on as an event attendee asks about the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
  15. October 19- Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter listen intently to a question about the difficulty of Europe creating a unified foreign and defense policy.
    October 19- Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter listen intently to a question about the difficulty of Europe creating a unified foreign and defense policy.
  16. October 19- Angelica Ocampo welcomes an enthusiastic crowd at Peters Township Public library.
    October 19- Angelica Ocampo welcomes an enthusiastic crowd at Peters Township Public library.
  17. October 20- the Across the Pond, in the Field team has breakfast with Pittsburgh’s Honorary German Consul, Paul Overby.
    October 20- the Across the Pond, in the Field team has breakfast with Pittsburgh’s Honorary German Consul, Paul Overby.
  18. October 20- the Across the Pond, in the Field team has breakfast with Pittsburgh’s Honorary German Consul, Paul Overby.
    October 20- the Across the Pond, in the Field team has breakfast with Pittsburgh’s Honorary German Consul, Paul Overby.
  19. October 20- Across the Pond, in the Field meets with Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
    October 20- Across the Pond, in the Field meets with Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
  20. October 20- Across the Pond, in the Field meets with Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
    October 20- Across the Pond, in the Field meets with Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
  21. October 20- this map at the Pittsburgh Tech Council gives everyone a great idea of just how many technology companies are currently in Pittsburgh.
    October 20- this map at the Pittsburgh Tech Council gives everyone a great idea of just how many technology companies are currently in Pittsburgh.
  22. October 20- Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter speaks to a group of undergraduate students from the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh
    October 20- Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter speaks to a group of undergraduate students from the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh
  23. October 20- Students from the University of Pittsburgh, ask Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter and Julianne Smith about the future of transatlantic relations in a time of uncertainty.
    October 20- Students from the University of Pittsburgh, ask Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter and Julianne Smith about the future of transatlantic relations in a time of uncertainty.
  24. October 20- Julianne Smith interviews Mork Hauser, Director of News and Information, Robert Morris University, for the Brussels Sprouts Podcast.
    October 20- Julianne Smith interviews Mork Hauser, Director of News and Information, Robert Morris University, for the Brussels Sprouts Podcast.
  25. October 20- Julianne Smith interviews Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung for a Brussels Sprouts Podcast.
    October 20- Julianne Smith interviews Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung for a Brussels Sprouts Podcast.
  1. 1. October 19- Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS; Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S., Karin Olofsdotter; former German Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg; and Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, meet with Dan Simpson and John Allison of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
  2. October 19- Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS; Ambassador of Sweden to the U.S., Karin Olofsdotter; former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg; and Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, meet with Dan Simpson and John Allison of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
  3. October 19- Dr. Kiron Skinner, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, and Julianne Smith take part in a public event at the Omni William Penn Hotel co-hosted with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
  4. October 19- Dr. Kiron Skinner, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, Julianne Smith, and Dr. Steven Sokol take part in a public event at the Omni William Penn Hotel co-hosted with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.
  5. October 19- Angelica Ocampo, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, interviews former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on KQV World Affairs Report.
  6. October 19- Angelica Ocampo, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, interviews Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at CNAS, and former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg on KQV World Affairs Report.
  7. October 19- Julianne Smith, Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Christian Hänel meet with Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald in downtown Pittsburgh.
  8. October 19- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald shake hands after a fascinating discussion on Pittsburgh past and present.
  9. October 19- Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald, explains how Pittsburgh transformed itself from a steel town to a present-day tech mecca.
  10. October 19- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg listens as Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald talks about his role in the city of Pittsburgh.
  11. October 19- Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter writes notes on how Pittsburgh and Sweden could look to each other to make breakthroughs in technology, like Bus Rapid Transit.
  12. October 19- Christian Hänel asks Rich Fitzgerald how the city of Pittsburgh attracts and supports immigrant communities.
  13. October 19- Julianne Smith, Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter speak to a crowd of over 100 at the Peters Township Public Library.
  14. October 19- Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter listen on as an event attendee asks about the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
  15. October 19- Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter listen intently to a question about the difficulty of Europe creating a unified foreign and defense policy.
  16. October 19- Angelica Ocampo welcomes an enthusiastic crowd at Peters Township Public library.
  17. October 20- the Across the Pond, in the Field team has breakfast with Pittsburgh’s Honorary German Consul, Paul Overby.
  18. October 20- the Across the Pond, in the Field team has breakfast with Pittsburgh’s Honorary German Consul, Paul Overby.
  19. October 20- Across the Pond, in the Field meets with Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
  20. October 20- Across the Pond, in the Field meets with Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
  21. October 20- this map at the Pittsburgh Tech Council gives everyone a great idea of just how many technology companies are currently in Pittsburgh.
  22. October 20- Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter speaks to a group of undergraduate students from the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh
  23. October 20- Students from the University of Pittsburgh, ask Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter and Julianne Smith about the future of transatlantic relations in a time of uncertainty.
  24. October 20- Julianne Smith interviews Mork Hauser, Director of News and Information, Robert Morris University, for the Brussels Sprouts Podcast.
  25. October 20- Julianne Smith interviews Christian Hänel of the Robert Bosch Stiftung for a Brussels Sprouts Podcast.

26 Photos