OHIO

Dr. Henry Nau on American foreign policy: Is America Returning to Isolationism?

Presented by the Columbus Council on World Affairs

No one has tried harder to end old wars and avoid new ones than President Obama. Yet he has failed. The number of U.S. troops in Iraq is expected to grow to 3,000 this year, fighting intensifies in Afghanistan, and new wars have ignited in Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, Libya, and central Africa. Why does this happen?

Professor Henry Nau is a recognized expert in U.S. foreign policy, having served on President Reagan’s National Security Council as the senior staff member responsible for international economic affairs. Among other duties, he was the White House sherpa for the Annual G-7 Economic Summits at Ottawa (1981), Versailles (1982), and Williamsburg (1983) and a special summit with developing countries at Cancun, Mexico (1982).

Dr. Nau also served (1975-1977) as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs in the Department of State. In 1977, he received the State Department’s Superior Honor Award.

Professor Nau directs (since 2013 co-directs) the US-Japan-South Korea Legislative Exchange Program, semiannual meetings between members of the US Congress, Japanese Diet, and Korean National Assembly. Dr. Nau also currently serves as a Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the George Washington University.