What in the World is Going On? (May 27)

Join Ambassador George Krol and former CIA analyst Lawrence Modisett for a discussion of what the futurist John Naisbitt called “megatrends”—the broad global undercurrents that are triggering today’s headlines and shaping the world of tomorrow. The discussion will consider what the future may look like if present trends continue, possible developments—pro and con—that could change that trajectory, and the implications for all of us.

Ambassador George Krol retired from the U.S. State Department in 2018 concluding a 36-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service where he served in several capacities, including ambassador to Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan as well as deputy assistant secretary of state for Central Asian Affairs and director of the State Department’s Office of Russian Affairs. George currently serves as an adjunct professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He is also an associate of Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies.

Lawrence Modisett, Ph.D., began his career in international affairs at the American Embassy in Prague. He earned a Ph.D. in modern European and Russian history from Georgetown University and joined the CIA. During his 19-year CIA career, which encompassed the climax of the Cold War and subsequent dissolution of the USSR, Lawrence became one of the senior analysts following Soviet politics and policies. He spent many a late evening at CIA headquarters helping prepare briefings for the President and other senior leaders. Lawrence eventually joined the faculty of the U.S. Naval War College, where he chaired a department that supported Navy strategic planning and force structure development. Since retiring in 2008 Lawrence has devoted himself to reading, travel and language study.