PROFESSOR LECTURE IN TOKYO — ALUMNI ARE INVITED TO ATTEND
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan presents Issues in the U.S. Presidential Campaign: U.S. Foreign Policy, in cooperation with Democrats Abroad and Republicans Abroad.

Friday, January 11
12 noon – 2 p.m.
Hotel Okura
Kensington Room, South Wing, 12F
2-10-4 Toranomon
Minato-ku
Tokyo 105-0001, Japan

Henry R. Nau, Professor, The George Washington University, presents the second lecture in a series on issues in the U.S. presidential campaign, sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce Japan (ACCJ) in cooperation with the Republicans and Democrats Abroad. The series emphasizes discussion and dialogue on the key issues for American voters, from Iraq to the housing crisis to immigration reform to healthcare.

Historically, American foreign policy cycles between liberal internationalist ambitions to spread democracy and realist retrenchment to reduce the burdens of foreign policy. Is American policy about to cycle again, abandoning its democratic goals in Iraq and shifting foreign policy burdens to other countries?

Professor Henry R. Nau argues that the 2008 elections will bring about a pullback of American ambitions whether a Democrat or Republican wins the presidency. Preemption is out, containment is, at best, a last resort, and diplomacy, even under the outgoing president (Iran, North Korea, Middle East), is back in fashion. Allies, including Japan, will have a chance to exert more influence and accept more responsibility. Only major new terrorist attacks on the American homeland, which no one anticipates, will change the calculus.

Henry R. Nau is Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University. He directs the U.S.-Japan-South Korea Legislative Exchange Program, bringing members of Congress together with parliamentarians twice annually for over two decades. He served in the Reagan administration as senior staff member of the National Security Council and White House sherpa for the G-7 economic summits, and in the Ford administration as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs in the Department of State. Limited quantities of Nau's most recent books will be available for cash sales at the event, including At Home Abroad: Identity and Power in American Foreign Policy, and Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions and Ideas.

For GW alumni who are not members of the ACCJ, this event costs 7400 yen or $10. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Bruce Ellsworth, ESIA MA ’97.

Click here for directions to the event.