On Sunday, January 22 at 3:00 PM, Stephen C. Widom Cultural Arts at Emanuel will present a Video Conversation with Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson (retired), former chief of staff to the late General Colin Powell, moderated by NY1 news anchor, host of Inside City Hall, and CNN political analyst, Errol Louis. Their discussion is entitled: “Conservation of Enemies.”
This program can be viewed through February 5, 2023.
Colonel Wilkerson explains his theme: “Conservation of enemies was a principle of international relations — or the relations of nations — of a brilliant diplomat and teacher of diplomacy, Frederick H. Hartmann.
He was such a stickler for perfection, his book of the same name, Conservation of Enemies, had at least six editions, each more perfect than the last, which was his intent.” Wilkerson continues: “Simply stated, the principle holds that a nation — particularly a great power — needs to conserve its enemies, that is, not create any more than it can manage at any one time.”
Wilkerson will offer his views on the two existential enemies that create danger for the American Empire — nuclear weapons and the human-induced changing climate.
Wilkerson’s last positions in government were as the late Secretary of State Colin Powell’s chief of staff (2002-05), and associate director of the State Department’s Policy Planning staff under the directorship of Ambassador Richard N. Haass.
Before serving at the State Department, Wilkerson served 31 years in the U.S. Army, including as deputy executive officer to then-General Colin Powell when he commanded the U.S. Army Forces Command (1989), special assistant to General Powell when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-93), and as director and deputy director of the U.S. Marine Corps War College at Quantico, Va. (1993-97). More recently, he was Visiting Professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.
Since leaving the State Department, Wilkerson speaks to groups all over America, publishes articles in newspapers and magazines across the country, and regularly offers commentary on television.
He serves as board member with advisory status to The Military Religious Freedom Foundation; The Eisenhower Media Network; America’s Promise (whose purpose is a 28th amendment to our Constitution to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision that allows dark money to flow overwhelmingly into political campaigns); and The Baskerville Institute. He is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and co-founder of, and advisor to, the All-Volunteer Force Forum.
This program is funded by Elaine and George Malin.
Registration for this event is $15.
For further information, to register and purchase a ticket online, go to:
https://www.scwculturalarts.org/sunday-series
After Jan. 22nd at 2:00 PM, call 516.482.5701 to purchase a ticket.
Please call 516.482.5701 if you have additional questions.
