Union Club lunch: Trump 2.0 – What Next for US Foreign Policy?

When: Thursday, 16 January 2025
Where: The Union Club, 805 Gordon Street
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (registration desk opens at 11:30 am)
Our Speaker: Mr. Darrell M. Blocker
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With Donald Trump about to return to the White House, the next four years are likely to become more lively when it comes to America’s foreign policy. Indeed, we already have clear indications that he will impose sweeping tariffs on foreign exports, demand that allies spend even more on defence and he has suggested the US might purchase Greenland and reclaim the Panama Canal (while we take on a new role as the 51st state). No doubt some of what is being said is political posturing and the reality is that Washington will have any number of international crises to deal with, from Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Sudan, Haiti, and the strong possibility that tensions in the Indo-Pacific could be on the rise if a trade war with Beijing erupts.

To discuss the future of US foreign policy in a Trump-led White House we are delighted to welcome Darrell M. Blocker. Darrell is the Vice Chairman of the MOSAIC crisis management firm and a former member of the CIA. Darrell completed a successful 32-year career in the U.S. Intelligence Community earning the CIA’s Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal upon his retirement in 2018. His career highlights include serving as Chief of the CIA’s iconic training facility better known as “The Farm”, Deputy Director of the Counter-terrorism Center, Chief of Africa Division, and multiple tours as a Chief of Station. Has also lived and worked in ten foreign countries including Italy, Japan, South Korea, Niger, Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Pakistan, and Switzerland. He has spent time in Somalia, after “Blackhawk Down”, and in Burundi after the Hutu-Tutsi massacres. At the time of his retirement he held the rank equivalent of a three-star general.

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The cost to attend this lunch is $42.50 for CIC members, $47.50 for guests of CIC members, $55 for non-members, $35 for CIC young professional members and non-member students, and $20 for CIC student members.

To register, please email Jennifer Button at cic.victoria.sec@gmail.com no later than noon on Thursday, 9 January with your name, the names of any guests and any specific dietary restrictions.

Once we have heard from you, confirmation of your registration and eTransfer payment instructions will be provided. Please do not send e-transfers until you hear from us.

Payment by eTransfer is strongly encouraged. (Please, no cash at the door, but cheques can be accepted if necessary).

Unfortunately, as meals must be pre-ordered and paid for, no refunds are possible after noon on Thursday, 9 January unless we have a waiting list.