Below, please find a list of events, hosted by CSIS. Click on an event title to view more information. Video or audio files of on-site conferences or events are usually posted within two days.
Sizwe's Test: A Young Man's Journey Through Africa's AIDS Epidemic
AUDIO (mp3, 01:18:33) Sizwe's Test: A Young Man’s Journey through Africa’s AIDS Epidemic by Jonny Steinberg Discussion Moderated by J. Stephen Morrison, Executive Director, CSIS HIV/AIDS Task Force *Acclaimed South Africa journalist Jonny Steinberg journeys into the center of the AIDS crisis in his home country (where more than 1 in 8 people are HIV-positive) to find out why, even when they are within walking distance of treatment, people are staying home and dying. Like Tracy Kidder’s Mountains Beyond Mountains—but with more focus on the patients—SIZWE’S TEST shows an absorbing perspective of the social and medical life surrounding AIDS. Steinberg tells the story of two South Africans: Sizwe, a young, successful man from a poor village who refuses to be tested for AIDS, and Dr. Hermann Reuter, a Western doctor on a mission to provide decent treatment for all. Through each man’s story, Steinberg reveals the perspectives of those who are infected, those who are trying to help, and those who refuse the help provided. In the heart of the story is a deeply dividing culture clash. From under-trained nurses and implacable bureaucracies to tales of HIV-bearing demons who have sex with villagers in the middle of the night, Steinberg reveals a powerful true story of superstition, stigma, and the cultural gap at the center of Africa’s AIDS crisis. -Published by Simon & Schuster
February 21
Lessons From Abroad
On February 21st, the CSIS Homeland Security Program hosted the Honorable Lidewijde Ongering, Deputy National Coordinator of Counterterrorism of the Netherlands. The event was the inaugural symposium of Lessons from Abroad, a study launched by the Homeland Security Program to bring the best practices in counterterrorism and homeland security from abroad to decision makers in the United States. Mrs. Ongering spoke about the societal polarization and increased risk of terrorism that has resulted from the rise in homegrown extremism in the Netherlands, and outlined the innovative and proactive strategy the Dutch government has mounted to counter this threat.
February 20
Pakistan's Elections: Free, Fair, and Safe? Post-Election Analysis
AUDIO (mp3, 01:12:38) All eyes were on Pakistan ahead of the February 18th parliamentary elections. Pakistan’s leadership faces the challenge of holding free and fair elections, and maintaining security. The results could shape the course of the country’s politics for years to come.
February 19
Book Launch: The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West
AUDIO (mp3, 01:26:48)Featuring: Edward Lucas, Deputy Editor, International Section, Central and Eastern Europe Correspondent, The EconomistChair: Sarah Mendelson, Director and Senior Fellow, Human Rights and Security Initiative, CSISCommentary: Janusz Bugajski, Director, New European Democracies Project and Senior Fellow, Europe Program, CSIS and Andrew Kuchins, Director and Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, CSISA wine and cheese reception will follow the discussion.To RSVP, email the Russia and Eurasia Program at rep@csis.org or call 202.457.8741
February 19
Health of the U.S. Space Industrial Base and the Impact of Export Control
AUDIO (mp3, 02:06:12) | Presentation Brief (mp3, 00:13:16) The briefing summarizes the work of an independent Working Group, co-chaired by Mr. Tom Young (former EVP, Lockheed Martin Corporation), Dr. William Ballhaus (The Aerospace Corporation) and Mr. Pierre Chao (Senior Associate, CSIS), tasked to assess the health of the U.S. space industrial base in the international landscape and determine the impact of export controls on it. The briefing focuses on the Working Group's key findings and offers recommendations for the way ahead.
February 15
Pakistan's Elections: Free, Fair, and Safe? Pre-Election Analysis
AUDIO (mp3, 01:15:55) All eyes are on Pakistan ahead of the February 18th parliamentary elections. Pakistan’s leadership faces the challenge of holding free and fair elections, and maintaining security. The results could shape the course of the country’s politics for years to come.
February 15
Mexico's Recent Electoral Reform: A Change for the Better?
AUDIO (mp3, 01:57:03) In the wake of the disputed 2006 presidential election, the Mexican Congress passed a fiercely debated electoral reform bill in September 2007. The bill amended the Mexican Constitution and modified the federal electoral code (COFIPE)—through which all federal elections in Mexico are regulated. Some areas which were reformed pertained to political campaigns and primaries, the organization and role of political parties, public campaign finance, the role of the media, as well as punitive measures. Supporters of the bill argued that the electoral reform strengthens Mexican electoral democracy, particularly from the standpoint of limiting the influence of money and interests groups in Mexican elections. Critics of the bill argued that it limits civil liberties and political rights of Mexican citizens, and strengthens the control of the major political parties. The bill, which went into effect on January 14, 2008, will regulate the 2009 mid-term and 2012 presidential elections. Sergio Sarmiento, columnist at Reforma newspaper; Jeffrey Weldon, professor at the ITAM; and Raúl Ã?vila, professor at UNAM discussed these events and answered questions from the audience.
February 14
The Situation in Iraq: A Briefing from the Battlefield
The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy Anthony H. Cordesman has prepared a new report, "The Situation in Iraq: A Briefing from the Battlefield." This report and press briefing are based on Dr. Cordesman's recent trip to Iraq. Audio (mp3, 01:10:23) | Video (wmv, 01:10:23) | Transcript (pdf, 72 kb)
February 14
Smart Power Speaker Series with Jeffrey Gedmin
CSIS hosted Jeffrey Gedmin, President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, for a discussion on the challenges ahead for international broadcasting in promoting openness and pluralism overseas as part of a smart power strategy. Carola McGiffert, CSIS Vice President and Chief of Staff, introduced Mr. Gedmin. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty provides news, information, and responsible discussion of domestic and international issues to countries where free and independent media are not permitted, or not yet fully established. This event is one of a series related to the CSIS Commission on Smart Power, a high-level bipartisan group that recently released its final report, "A Smarter, More Secure America." VIDEO (wmv, 01:12:15) | AUDIO (mp3, 01:12:15) | SPEECH TRANSCRIPT (pdf) | Q & A TRANSCRIPT (pdf)
February 14
Women World Leaders book event
In this updated edition of her 1996 publication, Laura Liswood recounts her one-onone interviews with the world's women presidents and prime ministers. Liswood discusses the challenges these 15 women overcame to reach their positions of power, examines how they influenced the women of their countries, and analyzes the differences between their leadership and that of men. Liswood, a senior advisor for Goldman Sachs, has become a favorite of CSIS interns and young professionals as a frequent speaker for the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy; the interviews and research she conducted for Women World Leaders is the source of her rich discussions at CSIS.
