76th Program Year – First Meeting
The Program: The changing role of diplomacy in US grand strategy.
In the post-Cold War era, US diplomacy has atrophied, with the military becoming the primary tool of foreign policy. But heavy investment in the US military has proven insufficient for securing the country’s strategic priorities. As the era of US hegemony wanes and the world becomes increasingly multipolar, there is a need to rethink the role of diplomacy in the US toolkit while re-sizing the military to fit a narrower mission set.
Presenter: Evan Cooper
Evan Cooper is a Research Analyst in the Reimagining US Grand Strategy Program. Previously, he served as a junior fellow and associate director in the Atlantic Council’s New American Engagement Initiative. Cooper’s work focuses on improving US diplomatic engagement through overlooked areas of shared interests, including cultural diplomacy, healthcare, and commerce. Cooper holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University, with a focus on international security. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Chapman University.
Tuesday, August 26th, 2025, 6:00PM Tanoan Country Club