Local forum covers global issues
from Brexit to refugees
— Randi Thompson
From the RGJ, September 11, 2016
“Think globally, act locally.”
That’s a line we hear a lot, but “thinking globally” is really challenging these days. There is so much going on the world, from terrorism to ethnic cleansing to economic breakups in the global financial market … it’s hard to keep up!
And more to the point, what should we know about what is happening globally that will help us act locally? Should we be adjusting our retirement and savings strategies because the United Kingdom exited the European Union, which caused jitters in the financial markets? What is really happening in Syria to cause thousands to flee the country, and what should we expect if we open up our homes to take in these refugees, as many in our community are doing?
These are challenging global issues that really can impact us locally. Fortunately, there is a forum in Reno that explores these and many other international issues that helps you better understand the world around you. It’s called the National Security Forum.
The forum offers an ongoing educational and informational source for national security and international affairs issues, and how those issues can impact our community and our own lives. The forums are open to the public, and the quality of speakers are something you usually only find in larger cities. The interaction that the audience has with these renowned speakers is truly rare.
The NSF is a nonpartisan educational organization believing in vigorous, open and balanced discussion and debate on vital questions affecting all Americans. It was established by Dr. Tyrus Cobb in 2009 to promote discussion regarding critical national security issues facing the United States. As a former special assistant to President Reagan serving on the National Security Council staff, Dr. Cobb has maintained his keen interest in global developments affecting the United States. And his list of contacts with international affairs leaders is incredible! The NSF has hosted key figures who play significant roles in international issues, including retired Gen. John Abizaid; former CIA Director Rae Huffstutler; former Federal Reserve official Dr. Gerald O’Driscoll; retired Gen. Carter Ham, who served as the second commander of U.S. Africa Command; and former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Venezuela Jeffrey Davidow.
I have found the forums to be an incredible source of information on issues that we don’t read about much in the news, yet impact our lives more than we truly understand. The forum represents a unique contribution to what is described as a growing “creative class” of individuals here in this region.
The “creative class” is a term now made popular with Richard Florida’s book, “The Rise of the Creative Class.” Richard Florida is one of the world’s leading public intellectuals on economic competitiveness, demographic trends, and cultural and technological innovation. He says essentially that if cities want to succeed, they need to attract the creative types who are the wave of the economic future. While many of these folks are attracting to Reno for our more “edgy” side (think Burning Man) and for our outdoor opportunities, they also require intellectual stimulation.
As Ty Cobb says, “Reno is doing a great job of attracting young entrepreneurs, but I believe that if we are to keep them here, we need to expand the intellectual opportunities available, and these forums are a great resource for thoughtful consideration of international, politico-military, and geoeconomic issues.”
Informed commentary has been provided on a wide variety of by speakers addressing key national security issues, including U.S. policy regarding recent Chinese and Russian aggression, American interests and strategies pertaining to the conflicts in the Middle East, on global financial concerns and bioterrorism; and such controversial topics as gun control.
Check out their website and see why the National Security Forum is gaining such a following. But you better register early, as their breakfasts meetings are selling out!
Randi Thompson is a public and government relations consultant. You can contact her at RandiThompson.com. Her profile of the NSF appeared in the Reno Gazette Journal on Sunday, September 11, 2016.