The African continent is seldom on the American mind as the region poses immense challenges and prospects for the U.S. foreign policy. The North African countries of Tunisia and Morocco, for example, present astounding contrasts highlighting the importance of the American engagement in the region even as China makes significant progress in cultivating dependence on economic and infrastructure building.

Thirteen years ago, the attention of the world focused on Tunisia, the small North African country which soon became known as the birthplace of “the Arab Spring.”  In early 2011, President Ben Ali, Tunisia’s dictator, was forced out of power, fleeing to Saudi Arabia. Shortly thereafter, the revolutionary fervor spread to Libya and Egypt where long-term authoritarian rulers Muammar el-Qaddafi and Hosni Mubarak were toppled. Countries such as Morocco quickly implemented changes in response to citizens’ rising demands for economic and political reform. What was at first viewed with optimism rapidly descended into disappointment and even despair. In this overview, Mr. Fauk will first discuss the factors that brought about what he describes as the “Arab blizzard.”  He will then turn to circumstances – both internal and external—that have brought us today where, except in the case of Morocco, the mood is one of frustration, disappointment, and uncertainty.

Jim Falk is the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Morocco for Nex Mexico and Texas. He is the President Emeritus of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and hosts the show, Perspectives Matter…a McCuistion Program that airs weekly on KERA-PBS (Dallas). From 2001-2021, Jim was president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Jim is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, U.S.

In addition to serving on the boards of Global Santa Fe and World Neighbors, Jim is a member of the advisory board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) and The Asia Society, Texas Center.

As the host of Perspectives Matter and work with the World Affairs Councils, Jim has interviewed prominent politicians, authors and diplomats including James Baker, Condoleezza Rice, Madeleine Albright, Michael Pompeo, John Kerry, Leon Panetta, David Petraeus, Susan Glasser, Peter Baker, William Barr, Richard Haass, and Michael Lewis. Recognized as a skilled interviewer, he is frequently invited by corporations, foundations and global organizations to moderate conversations on international relations and public policy. He has written several opinion pieces on The Arab Spring and recently returned from a trip to Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

His interest in travel and global affairs grew from high school years spent in Tunis where he attended a French lycée. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and earned his MA in Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia specializing in international law and Middle East politics. From 1978-1981, Jim was director of education at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C.

Please reserve your tickets by 5 p.m. on November 27 (Sunday). We need to give the headcount to catering staff in advance! For ticket and membership information please visit our website: www.worldaffairstexas.com For more information, please contact: Dr. Anantha Babbili, WACST CEO & President, at 361.563.5177 or at ananthasbabbili@yahoo.com.

THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF SOUTH TEXAS STRIVES TO SERVE SOUTH TEXAS AND CORPUS CHRISTI TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT AMERICAN ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, TRADE AND ECONOMICS. THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ALSO PROMOTES CITIZEN DIPLOMACY AND HOSTS FOREIGN VISITORS SPONSORED BY THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT TO FOSTER GOODWILL AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND PROSPERITY.

COME JOIN US FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY CONVERSATION AT THE LUNCHEON –-

COURTESY OF

THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF SOUTH TEXAS!