Media & Reports Directory

June 10, 2026 The Program returned to for a special event bringing together participants from all three cohorts of the program alongside political representatives, civic leaders, academics, business leaders, and community stakeholders. The gathering highlighted the continued impact of the network and provided a platform for intergenerational dialogue on some of the most pressing issues shaping Northern Ireland’s future. Opening remarks were delivered by , who welcomed participants and reflected on the importance of investing in the next generation and collaborative approaches to addressing shared challenges. The event…

By Susan Thornton, Emily Sparkman, and Ashley QuinonezJune 2026 In May 2026, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy’s Forum on Asia-Pacific Security convened scholars and practitioners from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States for a closed-door Track II dialogue. Participants examined how to navigate an intensifying U.S.-China competition and its effects on regional allies and partners; how to manage growing economic vulnerabilities amid the politicization of trade and supply chains; and how to preserve dialogue amid deepening mistrust. In…

U.S. Policy in the Middle East with Ambassador Barbara Leaf June 3, 2026With Barbara LeafModerated by Susan Elliott On Wednesday, June 3, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy welcomed members, Trustees, and colleagues to an invitation-only fireside chat with Ambassador Barbara Leaf at New York City’s Cosmopolitan Club. The conversation, moderated by NCAFP’s President and CEO, Ambassador Susan Elliott, offered an overview of existing diplomatic channels and the possible outlook for short-term and lasting stability in the Middle East.Ambassador Leaf delivered salient remarks…

By Susan Thornton and Emily SparkmanJune 2026 In May 2026, NCAFP convened American and Chinese experts for its annual U.S.-China Track II to assess the state of bilateral relations just ahead of the delayed Trump-Xi summit in Beijing and to identify opportunities to reduce the risks of long-term strategic competition. Although participants differed on the causes of current tensions and the appropriate path forward, stabilization emerged as the most realistic and achievable near-term objective for the relationship. Both sides recognized that competition would persist and agreed that an unmanaged rivalry carries far too…

Forum on Asia Pacific-Security's Track II Dialogues May 10-12, 2026Moderated by Susan A. Thornton The National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) convened a series of high-level Track II discussions in early May 2026. The three separate conferences, which included participants from the United States, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, were held under the Chatham House Rule. These participants included prominent former officials, experts, and scholars from the region and across the U.S. During the U.S.-China Bilateral Dialogue, participants from the…

Accepting Applications: Next-Generation Korean Peninsula Specialists Program Application Submission Period: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Sunday, June 28, 2026The National Committee on American Foreign Policy’s (NCAFP) Forum on Asia-Pacific Security (FAPS) is accepting applications from qualified individuals to join an Emerging Leaders workshop and mentorship program focused on security issues related to the Korean Peninsula. The project will showcase the new ideas and work of selected participants surrounding the following themes: the changing balance of power in the region, the future of multilateral architecture (with special focus…

Multiple Authors May 2026 The NCAFP, in collaboration with Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy’s U.S.-China Young Leaders Working Group, brings together scholars from the United States and China to support ongoing dialogue at a time of heightened tension and limited exchange between both sides. Building on NCAFP’s long-standing Track II engagement, the program creates space for sustained exchange and relationship-building among the next generation of experts shaping the future of U.S.-China ties. The paired essays featured here reflect these exchanges, presenting U.S. and Chinese perspectives on the…

Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders 2026 Report May 6, 2026 The National Committee on American Foreign Policy is pleased to announce the release of the Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders 2026 Report. Over the past several months, NCAFP convened the third cohort of Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders, a diverse group of scholars and policy practitioners. Through one-on-one mentorship, a series of virtual and in-person discussions, training workshops, delegation visits, and high-level meetings in Belfast, Dublin, and the United States, participants examined some of the region’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. These engagements informed the report, which addresses topics including USA 250, sustainable…

The Korean Peninsula at a Strategic Crossroads: Reimagining Security and Statecraft April 2026 The NCAFP organized its fourth cohort of Next-Generation Korean Peninsula Specialists from all over the world to develop and share their analysis on challenges on the Korean Peninsula. These policy professionals and scholars spent the last nine months networking with their peers, meeting with mentors, participating in professional development workshops, and writing policy papers on key issues related to Korean Peninsula security. This new Edited Volume, The Korean Peninsula at a Strategic Crossroads: Reimagining Security…