World in Danger: Germany and Europe in an Uncertain Time

The ACG and the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall will host a webinar with Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, and Ambassador John B. Emerson, Chairman of the American Council on Germany. 

The world appears to be at another major turning point. Tensions between the United States and China threaten a resumption of great power conflict. Global institutions are being tested as never before, and hard-edged nationalism has resurfaced as a major force in both democracies and authoritarian states. From the European perspective, the United States appears to be abdicating its global leadership role. Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing eagerly exploit every opportunity to pit European partners against one another.

But a pivot point also offers the continent an opportunity to grow stronger. Join LAWACTH and the American Council on Germany on November 9th for a discussion with Wolfgang Ischinger, Germany’s most prominent diplomat, in conversation with former US Ambassador to Germany John Emerson. Ischinger will offer his vision of a European future of peace and stability. Ischinger examines the root causes of the current conflicts and suggests how Europe can successfully address the most urgent challenges facing the continent.

Wolfgang Ischinger was deputy foreign minister (1998–2001) and has served as Germany’s ambassador to both the United States and the United Kingdom. He has chaired the Munich Security Conference, the world’s leading forum for debating international security policy, since 2008.

H.E. John B. Emerson (moderator) was named Chairman of the American Council on Germany on January 17, 2018. He is Vice Chairman at Capital Group International. Previously, he served as United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from August, 2013 until January 20, 2017. He served at a particularly challenging time, and in 2015 Ambassador Emerson was awarded the State Department’s prestigious Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service, which is given annually to one non-career Ambassador.  He also served on President Obama’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.