Biden’s World

Emma Sky OBE In Conversation with Richard Iron CMG OBE

Wednesday 24 March 2021: 12pm – 1pm AEDT Webinar

Nearing the halfway point of his first 100 days in office, the US under President Joe Biden is undergoing fundamental changes. Numerous executive orders have been signed to rewrite the history of Donald Trump’s years in office.

The US has rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization and has pledged to rebuild the democratic foundations the country prides itself on. Yet, within the USA, divisions seem to be even more entrenched with little sign of so far of reconciliation to repair a fractured nation.

As Biden surrounds himself with a more diverse and youthful team of advisers, many are watching America’s evolving relationship with an assertive China, as well as key political developments within an increasingly fractured European Union and bitter conflict in the Middle East.

With the best part of four years to go, what does Biden’s America look like and more importantly, what does Biden’s World look like? How will the current administration heal the deep wounds of civil unrest within its borders? What exactly does Biden mean by ‘The US is back’?

AIIA Victoria invites you to a unique opportunity to hear from Emma Sky in conversation with Richard Iron.

Emma Sky OBE is director of Yale's Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program and a Senior Fellow at the Jackson Institute, where she teaches Middle East politics. Emma Sky served as advisor to the Commanding General of US Forces in from 2007-2010; as advisor to the Commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in in 2006; as advisor to the US Security Co-ordinator for the Middle East Peace Process in 2005; and as Governorate Co-ordinator of Kirkuk for the Coalition Provisional Authority, 2003- 2004. She has published The Unravelling: High Hopes and Missed Opportunities in Iraq (2015) and In a Time of Monsters: Travelling in a Middle East in Revolt (2019)

Richard Iron CMG OBE is President of AIIA Victoria. He previously served in the British Army in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Oman, the Balkans, Sierra Leone and Iraq. He was a visiting fellow at the Changing Character of War programme at the and was lead editor of British Generals in Blair's Wars.

This event is online only. Registrations close on Wednesday 24 March at 10am, after which you will receive an email containing details of how to join the Zoom webinar. The webinar will commence at 12pm AEDT (Melbourne time, UTC+11). RSVP: TEL: (03) 9654 7271 or BOOK ONLINE

AIIA Victoria gratefully acknowledges the Walter Mangold Trust Fund for its ongoing support of our young members

Free for all AIIA members. Student Non-Members $5. Non-Members $10

Registered Office: Dyason House, 124 Jolimont Road, East Melbourne, VIC 3002 Telephone (03) 9654 7271 Email: [email protected] Website: www.internationalaffairs.org.au/victoria