A President can select a great number of things, from who will make up the Cabinet to the color of the curtains in the Oval Office. What the holder of the most powerful job cannot control is what global challenges he or she finds in the inbox of the Resolute Desk. War in Europe and the Middle East — as well as China’s strengthening alliance with Russia, Iran, and North Korea — are some of the challenges that the next administration will face.
Furthermore, the US must grapple with Great Power Competition, to include military power, economic vitality, and advanced technology — while considering our alliances and the ambitions of our adversaries.
The World Affairs Council of Charleston (WACC) welcomes David Merkel, chairman and CEO of Summit International Advisors at their Sept. 18 gathering at The Citadel’s Alumni Hall, starting at 6 p.m., preceded by a 5:15 p.m. reception. Merkel served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, and as Director for South and Central Asian Affairs on the National Security Council in the White House. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department as well as senior professional staff on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Merkel has worked with several think tanks and nonprofit organizations.
Now based in Charleston, Merkel is an adjunct professor at College of Charleston and a faculty member at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Merkel earned a B.B.A. in economics from the University of Oklahoma and a M.Sc. with Merit in International Strategy and Diplomacy from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
Guests are welcome and are encouraged to register in advance. The guest fee is $30, and is payable online or at the door.
From Pariah to Partner: Can the U.S. Make Saudi Arabia a Real Ally?
