U.S. Domestic Policy

At this point in his presidency, Barack Obama has an opportunity to build consensus. With Eric Holder’s resignation, he should consider taking this opportunity to mend fences and revive a Cabinet once billed as a “team of rivals.” So how about a Republican for attorney general? I have a candidate in mind: former Solicitor General Ted Olson, who will probably curse me for making the suggestion.

Universal agreement on those American Presidents that have achieved “greatness” yields a short list. Most will agree on Washington, Lincoln, and FDR… but then the debate begins in earnest. In his new book, “The End of Greatness: Why America Can't Have (and Doesn't Want) Another Great President,” Wilson Center Distinguished Scholar Aaron David Miller provides a challenging analysis of the nature of presidential leadership and what is required for a chief executive to attain that status. Miller previews the book in this edition of Wilson Center NOW.

Daniel Poneman has served as Deputy Secretary of Energy since 2009. As he prepares to leave office (October 2, 2014), he visited the Wilson Center to provide context on U.S. energy needs and the policies designed to meet them.

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"Los mandatarios centroamericanos podrían también hacer un llamado a que se respeten los derechos humanos de estos niños migrantes y expresar su decepción porque el Congreso de Estados Unidos no ha aprobado una reforma a las leyes de inmigración, de acuerdo con Cynthia Arnson, directora del programa de Latinoamérica para el Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, que analiza asuntos de política internacional en Washington.

"Es un tema muy sensible para toda la región", dijo la experta.

According to a symposium of national leaders, profound and pervasive changes are already underway. They say that climate change related changes are affecting infrastructure, commerce, and the military in ways that compromise national security. Their discussion is the focus of this edition of REWIND.

This event was conducted in partnership with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Featured Speakers:

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While governments are responsible for intelligence gathering in pursuit of national security, much of the technology and tools they rely on are created and owned by private companies. Consequently, there are significant opportunities for cooperation and conflict. That’s the focus of this edition of REWIND.

Featured Speakers

Meg King, National Security Advisor to the Director, President, and CEO, Wilson Center

Do friends spy on friends? It’s a simple question requiring a complex answer. The question represents one of the most contentious aspects of the new global security environment. And while keeping an eye on allies as well as enemies is nothing new, agreement on where to draw lines on such activity remains elusive. That’s the focus of this edition of REWIND.

This is part 2 of our series on Surveillance, Security, and Trust.

"WASHINGTON – Central American governments are not fully equipped to resettle children who return home after leaving or being deported from the United States, experts on the region say.

“The fact is they aren’t doing it and aren’t able to do it, especially in terms of guaranteeing the safety of their citizens,” Eric Olsen, associate director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said.

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