On May 19, 2022, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) hosts Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, for a dinner program at the Paradise Valley Country Club. Yovanovitch will discuss her inspiring and urgent memoir, Lessons From the Edge, including her insights on the ongoing war in Ukraine and career as a distinguished diplomat.

Phoenix, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/25/2022 -- On May 19, 2022, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) hosts Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, for a dinner program at the Paradise Valley Country Club. Yovanovitch will discuss her inspiring and urgent memoir, Lessons From the Edge, including her insights on the ongoing war in Ukraine and career as a distinguished diplomat.

Ambassador Yovanovitch (Ret.) became a public figure in early 2019 when she was recalled from her post by President Trump, after a smear campaign instigated by his associates. She subsequently testified at the presidential impeachment inquiry, gaining notoriety as she defended herself and her work as a diplomat.

The dinner event will be held at Paradise Valley Country Club where Ambassador Yovanovitch (Ret.) will promote her book Marie Yovanovitch: Lessons from the Edge. The program starts at 5:30 pm for a reception and 6:30 pm for a dinner program. Ambassador Yovanovitch will sign copies of her book.

Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch (Ret.) is a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a non-Resident Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University. Previously, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2016-2019), the Republic of Armenia (2008-2011) and the Kyrgyz Republic (2005-2008). She also served as the Dean of the School of Language Studies at the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State and as the Deputy Commandant and International Advisor at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University. Earlier she served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, where she coordinated policy on European and global security issues. Before that, she was the bureau's Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for issues related to the Nordic, Baltic, and Central European countries.

In 2003-2004, Ambassador Yovanovitch was the Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Within the Department of State, Ambassador Yovanovitch has worked on the Russia desk, the Office of European Security Affairs, and the Operations Center. She has also worked overseas at the U.S. Embassies in Moscow, London, Ottawa, and Mogadishu.

A Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Yovanovitch has earned the Senior Foreign Service Performance Award eight times and the State Department's Superior Honor Award on nine occasions. She is also the recipient of two Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the Secretary's Diplomacy in Human Rights Award. In 2020, Georgetown University granted Ambassador Yovanovitch the Trainor Award for Excellence in the Conduct of Diplomacy, the University of Indiana granted her the inaugural Richard G. Lugar Award, and Pen America honored her with the 2020 PEN/Benenson Courage Award. In 2021, she received the Morgenthau Award from the Armenian Assembly of America.

Ambassador Yovanovitch is a graduate of Princeton University where she earned a BA in History and Russian Studies. She studied at the Pushkin Institute and received an MS from the National Defense University.

Since 1976, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations has hosted distinguished guests including world diplomats, foreign heads of state, governors, and legislators. PCFR's mission is to help grow Arizona's influence on the world stage. Please join us as we foster the exchange of ideas, innovation, and values with dignitaries and nations around the world.

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is responsible for this Press Release. Inquiries regarding PCFR, press registration for this event, or this Press Release can be made to Brian Hall, Public Affairs Chair at brian@pcfraz.org or 480-765-9410 or Tina Waddington, PCFR Executive Director at tina@pcfraz.org or 602-308-9257.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

On March 30, 2022, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) will host the 17th Annual International State of the State with Governor Doug Ducey. The event will return in-person at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix at 12 p.m.

Phoenix, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/29/2022 -- On March 30, 2022, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) will host the 17th Annual International State of the State with Governor Doug Ducey. The event will return in-person at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix at 12 p.m.

This year marks Governor Ducey's seventh and final address at Arizona's premier foreign relations event. Since 2006, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations has hosted the International State of the State—the platform through which the sitting governor and foreign affairs community address international issues affecting Arizona. President Robert C. Robbins of University of Arizona will moderate the fireside discussion.

PCFR's mission is to help grow Arizona's influence on the world stage. With the state's unique geography, climate and world-renowned educational institutions, Arizonans participate in a robust exchange of ideas, goods, services and goodwill across the globe. Please join us in this annual tradition to learn about the state of Arizona within the international community.

PCFR members and the entire Arizona community are invited to attend in-person at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix on Wednesday March 30, 2022. Tickets are required with on-site registration beginning at 11 p.m. followed by a lunch program at 12 p.m. More information can be found online at https://www.pcfraz.org/isos17.

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is responsible for this Press Release, and inquiries regarding PCFR or this content can be made to Brian Hall, Co-Chair of the PCFR Public Relations Committee at brian@pcfraz.org or 480-765-9410 or Tina Waddington, Executive Director at tina@pcfraz.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Phoenix, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/11/2022 -- On March 15, 2022, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) will present Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza for a talk entitled "Standing Up to Putin". This talk is co-hosted by The McCain Institute for International Leadership at ASU and the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law as the second part of the Great Power Competition series at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (111 E. Taylor St. Phoenix, Ariz.). The series is free and open to the public both in-person and virtual and will begin at 6:00 p.m. Vladimir Kara-Murza will discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin's history of aggression toward domestic and foreign enemies, followed by a question and answer session.

Vladimir Kara-Murza is a Russian democracy activist, politician, author, and filmmaker. He was a longtime colleague of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and chairs the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom. Kara-Murza is a former deputy leader of the People's Freedom Party and was a candidate for the Russian State Duma. He has testified before Parliaments in Europe and North America and played a key role in the adoption of the Magnitsky mechanism that imposed targeted sanctions on Russian human rights violators in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, and the European Union.

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) called Kara-Murza "one of the most passionate and effective advocates for passage of the Magnitsky Act"; U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) described him as "a courageous advocate for the democratic process and fundamental universal human rights."

Since 1976, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations has hosted distinguished guests including world diplomats, foreign heads of state, governors, and legislators. PCFR's mission is to help grow Arizona's influence on the world stage. Please join us as we foster the exchange of ideas, innovation, and values with dignitaries and nations around the world.

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is responsible for this Press Release. Inquiries regarding PCFR, press registration for this event, or this Press Release can be made to Brian Hall, Public Affairs Chair at brian@pcfraz.org or 480-765-9410 or Tina Waddington, PCFR Executive Director at tina@pcfraz.org or 602-308-9257.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retired Army Col. Who Rescued Iraqi Interpreters to Share Military Withdrawal Lessons With PCFR.

Phoenix, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/01/2022 -- Retired Army Col. Who Rescued Iraqi Interpreters to Share Military Withdrawal Lessons With PCFR

On March 10, 2022, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) will host Col. Steve Miska (U.S. Army retired) for an evening talk with members and the public at the Phoenix Country Club (2901 N 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85014) starting at 5:30 pm for a reception and 6:30 pm for a dinner program. Col. Miska will share stories and insights from his book Baghdad Underground Railroad and from his tenure in the White House as Director for Iraq on the National Security Council from 2011 to 2012.

As the U.S. continues processing military and diplomatic withdrawals from Ukraine and Afghanistan, Col. Miska has advocated for a national security approach that protects crucial "soft networks". His talk will discuss the evacuation he coordinated for dozens of foreign military interpreters and allies from Baghdad in 2006 and 2007. He will also draw parallels to the challenges facing the U.S. today in conflict zones around the world, notably the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Steve Miska served in the U.S. Army as an officer for 25 years before retiring in 2015. From 2011 to 2012, Steve served in the White House as Director for Iraq on the National Security Council. During his second of three combat tours in Iraq, Steve led a team that established an underground railroad from Baghdad to Amman to the United States for dozens of foreign military interpreters who supported U.S. troops in country. Since then, has acted as an advisor to several non-profits supporting foreign military interpreters, including No One Left Behind and the International Refugee Assistance Project. He is the Founder & CEO of Servant Leader Citizen (SLC) Consulting.

Since 1976, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations has hosted distinguished guests including world diplomats, foreign heads of state, governors, and legislators. PCFR's mission is to help grow Arizona's influence on the world stage. Please join us as we foster the exchange of ideas, innovation, and values with dignitaries and nations around the world.

The event will be held at Phoenix Country Club where Col. Miska will sign copies of his book: Baghdad: Underground Railroad, which will be offered for sale. Current and former military service members will receive a discount and proceeds from the book will support a veteran nonprofit, US Veteran Artist Alliance. Sponsors include.

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is responsible for this Press Release. Inquiries regarding PCFR, press registration for this event, or this Press Release can be made to Brian Hall, Public Affairs Chair at brian@pcfraz.org or 480-765-9410 or Tina Waddington, PCFR Executive Director at tina@pcfraz.org or 602-308-9257.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Phoenix, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/13/2021 -- On October 14, 2021, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations (PCFR) and the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix will host Mexico's Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma for a dinner program in Scottsdale. Mr. Moctezuma will address dignitaries and members on bilateral issues of economic development, border relations, and exchange between Mexico and Arizona.

Following his keynote speech, Ambassador Moctezuma will be joined by Andres Martinez of Arizona State University for a fireside chat and moderated Q&A.

Ambassador Moctezuma was appointed Ambassador to the United States by Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and ratified on February 16, 2021. During his nine-month tenure, Ambassador Moctezuma has promoted a new dialogue with the United States regarding public health, immigration, and trade under the USMCA framework. Mr. Moctezuma's visit to Arizona marks a significant step in the bilateral relationship between Arizona and neighboring Mexico. As the selected organizer of this event, Tina Waddington, Executive Director of PCFR, states: "PCFR is honored to host Ambassador Moctezuma and other dignitaries for this event. We believe that convening internationally-minded communities to learn about foreign affairs elevates Arizona's global prominence."

Since 1976, the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations has hosted distinguished guests including world diplomats, foreign heads of state, governors, and legislators. PCFR's mission is to help grow Arizona's influence on the world stage. Please join us as we foster the exchange of ideas, innovation, and values with dignitaries and nations around the world.

The Consulate of Mexico in Phoenix is pleased to be a partner for this event. The Consul General is Jorge Mendoza Yescas, who has served in this diplomatic mission since March 5, 2019.

The event will be held at the Omni Scottsdale Resort at Montelucia, with a networking reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Notable guests include Mayor David Ortega of Scottsdale, U.S. Representative Greg Stanton, and various business, education and non-profit leaders from Arizona State University, Snell & Wilmer, Chicanos Por La Causa, University of Arizona, the Arizona Commerce Authority, Huawei, Thunderbird School of Global Management, WRS Investments, Phoenix Suns, NOVA Home Loans, ASU W.P. Carey School of Business, Maricopa Association of Governments, SRP and Arizona Fresh.

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is responsible for this Press Release. Inquiries regarding PCFR, press registration for this event, or this Press Release can be made to Brian Hall, Public Affairs Chair at brian@pcfraz.org or 480-765-9410.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm