CPFR/Financial Times Breakfast Series “A New Direction for U.S. Trade Policy” featuring keynote speaker Senator Sherrod Brown. May 7, 2008 “Nobody drops out of a presidential race. They just run out of money,” said Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, during his talk at the May 7th breakfast discussion hosted by the Johns Hopkins University SAIS Center on Politics & Foreign Relations and the Financial Times. One of the few remaining uncommitted super-delegates in the U.S. Senate, Senator Brown refused to endorse a candidate, saying he will wait until June. While discussing the 2008 Democratic  primary race, he was asked whether he would like to be considered as a possible vice-presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket. Senator Brown responded, “No, and I know everybody says no but let me tell you why. First off, my wife would leave me. And, second, I am content being a senator and hope to continue to be one as long as I am healthy which, I hope, should be a long while since I am only fifty-five.” Senator Brown, during his talk stated, “While profits of American financial services have doubled, middle class wages have remained stagnant.” He said more attention must be paid to this imbalance in the upcoming election. Senator Brown who has made trade one of his major issues said, “Trust but verify. The role of the government is to provide fair rules for trade.” A strong opponent of NAFTA, he favors fair trade and provisions to protect labor standards in all trade agreements. To that end, he will be introducing new trade legislation in the senate in the near future.
CPFR/CTR Talk on the “European Future of Serbia and the Balkans” featuring keynote speaker Bozidar Djelic, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. April 14, 2008 “Serbia wants to get closer to the EU and the US” said Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, a Harvard graduate who was featured in Forbes 2002 list of 100 top young leaders, during his talk on April 14th. The Deputy Prime Minister who has a rich background as an economist and politician discussed at the  CPFR/CTR talk Serbia’s major achievements in 2007 and the European agenda for 2008. He provided information on Serbian macroeconomic stability and growth and discussed the numerous opportunities in strategic sectors, also saying “Stability is taking a deep hold in our country.” Furthermore, he noted that despite the challenges associated with the European Integration process, Serbia needs the clear and unequivocal support of the EU. He stated “We are working hard to meet EU standards and to join the EU. EU membership is a deep hope for our country.” He hopes that the Republic of Serbia will be admitted to the EU by 2012. At the end of his talk he added “We are normal; we want to be a boring country in Europe. By the way, Serbia is fun; Belgrade has the best nightlife in Europe,” inviting participants to visit his country. Serbia’s next parliamentary elections will be taking place on May 11th, 2008. With Serbia’s pro-Western coalition trailing the ultranationalist radical party by a slim margin, the EU has been pushing its members to offer a new pre membership aid and trade pact to Serbia.
CPFR Breakfast Discussion: "The Politics of National Security"
Featuring Keynote Speaker Senator Joseph Lieberman (Independent-Democrat - Connecticut)
November 8, 2007 Senator Joseph Lieberman, Independent-Democrat from Connecticut,spoke at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies on Thursday, November 8, 2007. Senator Lieberman gave the keynote speech for a program titled "The Politics of National Security," co-sponsored by the Center on Politics & Foreign Policy and the Financial Times. Over 200 people were in attendance, including students, members of the media, ambassadors, embassy staff, and members of the public.  Senator Lieberman's speech discussed the changes that have taken place within the Republican and Democratic foreign policy platforms throughout history, noting the shifts within the Democratic party from the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt through the present. Senator Lieberman talked about how his identification as an Independent-Democrat reflects the traditional Democratic ideas on foreign policy.
CPFR Breakfast Discussion:“Does Soft Power Apply to All? The Role of Small States in Multilateral Organizations.” Featuring keynote speaker Rita Kieber-Beck, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Principality of Liechtenstein
September 27, 2007 Rita Kieber-Beck, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Principality of Liechtenstein, spoke at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies’ Center for Politics and Foreign Relations on Thursday, September 27, 2007. Ms. Kieber-Beck was the keynote speaker for the program titled, “Does Soft Power Apply to All? The Role of Small States in Multilateral Organizations.” Over 30 people participated in the event, including Ambassador Claudia Fritsche of Liechtenstein, Ambassador Urs Ziswiler of Switzerland, Ambassador Albert Jónsson of Iceland, and Ambassador Mark Miceli of Malta. The event also attracted numerous students, professors, and members of the public. Kieber-Beck’s speech discussed Liechtenstein’s special relationship with Switzerland, its reasons for not joining the European Union, as well as the economic and political landscape of the small principality, which is approximately the size of the District of Columbia. In the question and answer segment that followed her speech, Ms. Kieber-Beck was asked how one becomes a citizen in Liechtenstein. Ms. Kieber Beck said that you must live in Liechtenstein for thirty years before applying for citizenship, but the time can be shortened to five years-if you marry a citizen of Liechtenstein.
CPFR/FT Breakfast Discussion with Rep. Ron Paul
September 11, 2007  The SAIS Center on Politics and Foreign Relations and the Financial Times hosted “A Traditional Non-Intervention Foreign Policy” featuring keynote speaker Congressman Ron Paul on Tuesday, September 11, 2007.
Rep. Paul currently represents the 14th Congressional District of Texas, and is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2008 Presidential Election. In Paul's opinion most terrorism, including the attacks on September 11, 2001, could have been avoided, had the United States not had such a presence in the Middle East. Congressman Paul advocated for a troop pull-out in Iraq and a return to the gold standard.
The Congressman spoke to a crowd of nearly 200 energetic supporters, students, faculty, and members of the public, curious to hear what the controversial Congressman had to say. Paul's comments certainly generated interesting discussion and debate, and the event was covered by several media outlets, which are linked below.
The Dallas Morning News
The Huffington Post
CPFR/FT Democratic Debate on Iraq
The SAIS Center on Politics and Foreign Relations and the Financial Times hosted “Democratic Debate on Iraq: Presidential Candidates Present Their Views” on Wednesday, June 6, 2007. The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates Senator Joe Biden, former Senator Mike Gravel and Congressman Dennis Kucinich participated in the debate, presenting their strategies for Iraq to an audience of more than 450 diplomats, journalists and graduate students. Both the House and the Senate were casting votes that evening, but the candidates hurried from Capitol Hill to present their views on this dominant issue “without sound bites”. Links to media coverage of the event are listed below. The Hill Gannett News Service- Delaware Online
The News & Observer The Huffington Post
The Democratic Party- Community Blogs On the Trail - '08
COX Newspapers Washington Bureau transAtlantic Magazine Online
CPFR Breakfast Discussion with General Wesley Clark
 On May 16, 2007 four-star Army General Wesley Clark spoke at our CPFR/Financial Times breakfast. General Clark stressed the necessity of restoring the legitimacy of America as the “first task for American security”.
The distinguished military officer said regaining “legitimacy of purpose and method [would] provide the bedrock for our successful foreign policy and successful strategy for winning the war on terror” which can only be accomplished by understanding “what’s gone wrong.” General Clark went on to chronicle how we have lost legitimacy and how we can regain it by changing what we’re doing aboard, changing some of our laws and polices at home and by “making some inquires … about past conduct.” Clark captivated an audience of over 250 guests, including ambassadors, journalists, veterans and graduate students. The General’s speech received a positive response with many attendees hoping he will soon join the race for the White House in 2008 as a presidential candidate.
CPFR Breakfast Discussion with Congressman Dennis Kucinich.
 Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a 2008 Democratic presidential candidate, spoke at our CPFR/Financial Times breakfast on April 26th on “The Imperative of Human Unity.” The congressman from Ohio presented his reasons for calling for the impeachment of Vice-President Dick Cheney and strongly expressed his ideas of unity and peace.
The former mayor of Cleveland stated that Vice-President Cheney has “violated his duties by deceiving people over WMDs in Iraq” among other reasons that inspired Kucinich’s articles of impeachment, which he released the evening before our conference. The congressman sees himself as the main anti-Iraq war candidate and hopes this will lead to his success in the New Hampshire primary. Citing his imperatives for “peace, unity, equality and protecting the health of our planet”, Kucinich believes his program is the best for the future of America both domestically and abroad. Kucinich drew a diverse crowd ranging from journalists to graduate students to representatives from peace organizations.
CPFR Breakfast Discussion with Governor Bill Richardson.
 On March 28th at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson spoke at our CPFR/Financial Times breakfast and unveiled his strategy to prevent nuclear terrorism. The former United States Congressman and Ambassador to the United Nations discussed the need for what he calls “New Realism”, a policy for dealing with the new realities of the 21st century.
The former Secretary of Energy spoke about the new dangers facing America, saying our ideas about national security need to be adapted to an age in which the nuclear threat come not from a missile, but “from a suitcase or a cargo hull.” Richardson outlined a comprehensive strategy for preventing nuclear terrorism, including halting nuclear weapons proliferation, halting nuclear weapons production and reducing the size of nuclear arsenals, and consolidating and securing all existing fissile materials and all future production associated with nuclear energy and research worldwide. Richardson entertained his audience of over 250 guests, including ambassadors, journalists and graduate students with his topical sense of humor and foreign policy knowledge.
CPFR Breakfast Discussion with Peter G. Peterson, co-founder and chairman of the Blackstone Group and chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations.
 Peter G. Peterson, who spoke at our CPFR/Financial Times breakfast on February 6th at SAIS on the Quad Deficits stated, "In all my years of observing developments in our political economy, I have never seen so many challenges that I would describe as undeniable, unsustainable and untouchable, politically speaking."
Peterson discussed the long term, current account, savings and our political leadership deficits, which he claims are “inter-related and should be resolved together.” The former Secretary of Commerce and former New York Federal Reserve Chairman criticized America’s current politicians who do not ask citizens to make sacrifices, “If Americans understood the truth and if they felt the required sacrifices were fairly shared, I have faith they would respond.”
The former CEO of Lehman Brothers stated that much of the solution may be found in emphasizing a bipartisan process, using the 9/11 Commission Report as a mark of hope and progress.
Speaking to an audience of one hundred journalists, economists, diplomats and students at SAIS, Peterson captivated his audience with a dash of humor and intelligent insight into the deficit problems facing our nation.
CPFR Breakfast Discussion with Bob Schieffer CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and Moderator, “Face the Nation”
 CBS News Washington Chief Correspondent and Moderator of "Face the Nation" speaking at our CPFR/Financial Times breakfast on November 14th at SAIS stated, "One thing is for sure, neither side (Democrats or Republicans) wants this war in Iraq to be an issue in 2008."
Schieffer analyzed the recent midterm elections and looked ahead to the 2008 presidential election campaign. The CBS news veteran spoke about the role of the media in the midterm campaign, negative advertising and how the role of the press has dramatically changed since he started covering politics in Texas in the days of Lyndon Johnson.
Speaking of the war in Iraq, Schieffer commented, "We have reached a point on this war where there are no good answers, there are no magic solutions and we're going to be penalized no matter what we do."
Schieffer proved to be a wonderful storyteller recounting the many elections he has covered in the past several decades. Talking to an audience of over one hundred journalists, diplomats and students at SAIS Schieffer was impressive with his wide ranging anecdotes on presidents, presidential aspirants and his many guests on “Face the Nation.”
CPFR Breakfast Forum with Dr. Ivo Sanader, Prime Minister of Croatia
 While in Washington D.C. for an official visit with President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Secretary of State Rice, Prime Minister of Croatia Dr. Ivo Sanader made a detour by our Center on Politics & Foreign Relations on October 18 to give a speech on how Croatia has become an “engine for change.”
Dr. Ivo Sanader focused his remarks on how joining the EU and NATO would be a “huge step forward” for his country as they are equally important. “They share the same values that are freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights, free market economy and war on terrorism,” Sanader said.
While speaking at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, the Prime Minister pointed out that October 18, 2006 was a “very special day” as Croatia was finishing the first session of the negotiations with the EU which they hope to join by 2009.
NATO is another goal for Croatia. Dr. Sanader was very grateful to President Bush who stated during their discussions that he “will make the case that Croatia should be admitted. It seems like a reasonable date would be 2008.” The Prime Minister believes that this great news is not only very encouraging for Croatia but also for its neighbors and confirms that Croatia “really is a success story.”
Click here to download or listen to audio of the event.
CPFR Inaugural Event with Senator John Kerry
 Senator John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, gave a blistering speech attacking the Bush Administration’s foreign policy at the inaugural Politics and Foreign Policy breakfast at the new Center on Politics and Foreign Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. on September 28th.
Kerry, denouncing the administration’s policies from Iraq to Afghanistan, vigorously stated, “ . . .We have a Katrina foreign policy - a succession of blunders and failures that have betrayed our ideals, killed and maimed our soldiers, and widened the terrorist threat instead of defeating it.” The Massachusetts senator spoke of the 5 R’s that he recommends to have a more effective foreign policy which include “redeploy from Iraq; re-commit to Afghanistan; reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reinforce our homeland defense and restore America’s moral leadership in the world.” Kerry, calling for a date certain for bringing American troops home from Iraq, proclaimed, “So we must set another deadline to extricate our troops and get Iraq up on its own two feet - a clear deadline of July, 2007 to redeploy our combat troops. Make Iraqis stand up for Iraq - and bring our heroes home.” Speaking before a large audience of nearly 400 journalists, diplomats and students the senator received a standing ovation at the end of his speech. Robert Guttman, the director of CPFR and Guy Dinmore, the U.S. diplomatic correspondent for the Financial Times were the co-moderators for the event.
Click here to read the prepared remarks.
Click here to download or listen to audio of the event.
Click here to watch video of the remarks.
Click here to watch video of the Q&A. Click here for Conference Archives | 
