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X-WR-CALNAME:Mid-Hudson Valley World Affairs Council
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Mid-Hudson Valley World Affairs Council
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T170000
DTSTAMP:20260610T133113
CREATED:20260126T011803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260410T001532Z
UID:2600-1774796400-1774803600@wacmhv.org
SUMMARY:Music and Diplomacy Panel Discussion and Musical Performance
DESCRIPTION:March 29\, 2026\, 3-5 pm \nOld Dutch Church\, Kingston\, NY \nBard College\, together with the City of Kingston Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs and the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley\, will host “Music and Diplomacy” – a panel discussion and musical performance. This event is part of Kingston’s USA250 series of celebrations. It aims to explore how music has served as an important element of intercultural exchange and American soft power throughout the country’s history. \nThe panel discussion will be moderated by Malia Du Mont\, vice president for strategy and policy and chief of staff at Bard College. It will feature Jim Ketterer\, jazz musician and former diplomat who served in the State Department and on the National Security Council. The panel will also feature Phil Tappan\, deputy commander of the West Point Band\, and Jindong Cai\, director of Bard’s US-China Music Institute. \nThe panel discussion will be followed by a musical performance by musicians from the local community\, Bard College and Jim Ketterer.
URL:https://wacmhv.org/event/music-and-diplomacy-panel-discussion-and-musical-performance/
LOCATION:Old Dutch Church\, Kingston\, NY\, 272 Wall Street\, Kingston\, 12401
CATEGORIES:2026 Past Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://wacmhv.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-04-09-at-8.07.48 PM.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260330T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260330T193000
DTSTAMP:20260610T133113
CREATED:20260103T200910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T023626Z
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SUMMARY:Great Decisions: Rethinking Nuclear Energy
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, March 30\, 6:30 pm\, Boardman Road Library\, Poughkeepsie \nEdward A. Friedman of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley will discuss next generation nuclear energy and unique opportunities for this technology to mitigate global warming. Dr. Friedman will draw upon his recently published book for a lay audience\, “Nuclear Energy: Boom\, Bust\, and Emerging Renaissance\,” which recounts early optimism for nuclear energy followed by a clear account of the consequential nuclear accidents. He then explains the newly emerging designs and how they promise to curb previously unmanageable carbon emissions. He will place these developments into an international context where China and Russia exploit their nuclear dominance. \nEdward A. Friedman holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physics from MIT and Columbia University as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Mathematics from Sofia University in Bulgaria. He served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Stevens Institute of Technology (1973-1986) and Director of a USAID Program to develop an indigenous college of engineering in Kabul\, Afghanistan (1970-73). He received the Albert Einstein Education Medal from the State of New Jersey and the National Education Medal from the King of Afghanistan. He served as a member of the American University of Bulgaria’s Board of Trustees (2017-2025).
URL:https://wacmhv.org/event/great-decisions-rethinking-nuclear-energy/
LOCATION:Boardman Library\, 141 Boardman Rd\, Poughkeepsie\, NY\, 12603\, United States
CATEGORIES:2026 Past Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260427T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260427T193000
DTSTAMP:20260610T133113
CREATED:20260103T201226Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T120642Z
UID:2581-1777314600-1777318200@wacmhv.org
SUMMARY:Great Decisions: The Gray Zone Dilemma - Irregular Warfare in the South China Sea
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, April 27\, 6:30 pm\, Boardman Road Library\, Poughkeepsie \nFacilitator Michael Hauser for the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley.  Since World War II\, the term Irregular Warfare (IW) has become an increasingly common aspect in the study of warfare and statecraft. Comprising concepts such as guerrilla warfare\, counterterrorism\, unconventional warfare\, and counterinsurgency\, IW today is seemingly ubiquitous as major powers utilize IW strategy to exploit the “gray zone” between peace and war. This presentation will summarize the scope of IW and focus on the South China Sea as a case study for modern IW.  There is no assigned reading for this presentation\, however\, the Great Decisions materials are available for checkout from the library should you wish to read up on the topic before the talk.  No Registration Required.
URL:https://wacmhv.org/event/great-decisions-irregular-warfare-in-the-south-china-sea/
LOCATION:Boardman Library\, 141 Boardman Rd\, Poughkeepsie\, NY\, 12603\, United States
CATEGORIES:2026 Past Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T173000
DTSTAMP:20260610T133113
CREATED:20260120T210604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T120654Z
UID:2598-1779208200-1779211800@wacmhv.org
SUMMARY:Great Decisions: The Gray Zone Dilemma – Irregular Warfare in the South China Sea
DESCRIPTION:May 19\, 2026\, 4:30 pm \nWoodstock Library\, 10 Dixon Ave.\, Woodstock\, NY \nFacilitator Michael Hauser for the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley.  Since World War II\, the term Irregular Warfare (IW) has become an increasingly common aspect in the study of warfare and statecraft. Comprising concepts such as guerrilla warfare\, counterterrorism\, unconventional warfare\, and counterinsurgency\, IW today is seemingly ubiquitous as major powers utilize IW strategy to exploit the “gray zone” between peace and war. This presentation will summarize the scope of IW and focus on the South China Sea as a case study for modern IW.  There is no assigned reading for this presentation\, however\, the Great Decisions materials are available for checkout from the library should you wish to read up on the topic before the talk.  No Registration Required.
URL:https://wacmhv.org/event/great-decisions-the-gray-zone-dilemma-irregular-warfare-in-the-south-china-sea/
LOCATION:Woodstock Public Library District\, 10 Dixon Ave\, Woodstock\, NY\, 12498\, United States
CATEGORIES:2026 Past Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T180000
DTSTAMP:20260610T133113
CREATED:20260525T121201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T121201Z
UID:2711-1780592400-1780596000@wacmhv.org
SUMMARY:Middle East Update: Iran and Lebanon-Israel Security Talks
DESCRIPTION:Please join the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley for a timely and important online conversation with Ambassador Fred Hof: \nThursday\, June 4 at 5:00 p.m. EDT  – Online \nThis special online event is reserved for the members and supporters whose generosity makes our work possible. And if you are not yet a member or donor\, we warmly invite you to join us today. Your support helps sustain thoughtful public dialogue and educational programming throughout the region. \nAt a moment of profound uncertainty in the Middle East\, Ambassador Fred Hof will share unique firsthand insights into ongoing unofficial efforts to advance security arrangements between Israel and Lebanon. The efforts are aimed at helping communities on both sides of the border live in safety and stability. \nAmbassador Fred Hof brings decades of diplomatic\, military\, and academic experience to this discussion. Ambassador Hof is the author of numerous works on Middle East diplomacy\, including Reaching for the Heights (USIP\, 2022)\, which recounts his 2010–2011 efforts to broker peace between Israel and Syria. \nPlease RSVP for this event by emailing wacmhv@gmail.com.
URL:https://wacmhv.org/event/middle-east-update-iran-and-lebanon-israel-security-talks/
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260608T193000
DTSTAMP:20260610T133113
CREATED:20260103T202127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T120616Z
UID:2585-1780943400-1780947000@wacmhv.org
SUMMARY:Great Decisions: American and the World - Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, June 8\, 6:30 pm\, Boardman Road Library\, Poughkeepsie \nFacilitator Rick Levitt of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley.Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership\, embracing an “America First” approach. This topic explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy. There is no assigned reading for this presentation\, however the Great Decisions material is available for checkout at the library should you wish to read up on the topic before the talk.  No Registration Required.
URL:https://wacmhv.org/event/great-decisions-american-and-the-world-trump-2-0-foreign-policy/
LOCATION:Boardman Library\, 141 Boardman Rd\, Poughkeepsie\, NY\, 12603\, United States
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261109T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261109T193000
DTSTAMP:20260610T133113
CREATED:20260103T201557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T120546Z
UID:2583-1794249000-1794252600@wacmhv.org
SUMMARY:Great Decisions: Ukraine and the Future of European Security
DESCRIPTION:Monday\, November 9\, 6:30 pm\, Boardman Road Library\, Poughkeepsie. \nFacilitator Rick Levitt of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley. With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine\, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas\, and how might Europe respond?  There is no assigned reading for this presentation\, however\, the Great Decisions materials are available for checkout from the library should you wish to read up on the topic before the talk. No Registration Required.
URL:https://wacmhv.org/event/great-decisions-ukraine-and-the-future-of-european-security/
LOCATION:Boardman Library\, 141 Boardman Rd\, Poughkeepsie\, NY\, 12603\, United States
CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events
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