State of the European Union

 On February 7th, the Heritage Foundation hosted a panel of three Members of the European Parliament. All three are members of the European Conservatives & Reformists Group, a trans-national alliance of like-minded political parties. After providing a short tutorial on the organization of the EU they discussed their views on:

• How well the European Union is managing the problems of Europe
• Complications of and prospects for the current Euro financial crisis
• How the EU and NATO play in the area of defense 
• Advice to President Obama on how to deal with Europe

Video and audio versions of the talk (duration: 1hr:20min) are available from the Heritage Foundation. Condensed, bulletized notes can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com

Acquisition Implications of DoD Strategic Guidance & the FY2013 Budge

On Feb 6th CSIS hosted the Acting Under Secretary of Defense, AT&L, Frank Kendall, for a talk on how Acquisition is likely to fare in the current austere budget atmosphere. 

He provided no specifics about individual programs. However, he did indicate that DoD was assuming that there would be no dramatic Sequestration cuts, and that all programs would have to prove their worth early and often in order to continue funding.

An audio version of the talk (duration: 1hr:02min) is available from the CSIS. Condensed,bulletized notes can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com

Cross-Strait Relations After Taiwan's 2012 Election

On February 1st, the Heritage Foundation hosted a talk by Kuomintang Vice Chairman John H. Chiang. Mr. Chiang, the grandson of President Chiang Kai-shek, has served in a number of government positions as a civil servant and a legislator, rising to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Premier of the Executive Yuan, and Secretary General of the Kuomintang.

Mr. Chiang discussed the aftermath of President Ma Ying-jeou’s re-election on January 14, 2012. He shared his views on why President Ma won and what the prospects are for continuing development of cross-straits issues.
Video and audio versions of the talk (duration: 1hr:08min) are available from the Heritage Foundation. Condensed, bulletized notes  can be downloaded from www.NotableThinking.com