What role should democracy play in American foreign policy—and how do we balance values with interests in an era of great power competition? Ambassador Derek Mitchell brings more than three decades of experience navigating these questions across government, diplomacy, and the nonprofit sector. As the first U.S. Ambassador to Burma in 22 years during its political opening, and later as president of the National Democratic Institute, he has seen firsthand the promises and limits of democratic engagement. Join us for a capstone conversation on one of the most enduring debates in American foreign policy.
Pachios on the News – Tony Payne – May 2026
On this episode of Pachios on the News, Harold discusses the very pertinent issues of the 2026 Midterms, the accelerated rise in inflation, and the appeal of progressive candidate Graham Platner against Susan Collins with Tony Payne, Former GOP Executive Director for Maine.
Pachios on the News – Admiral Gregory Johnson – April 2026
On this latest episode of Pachios on the News, Harold meets with retired US Navy Admiral Gregory G. Johnson to discuss the tactics involved in the current attack on Iran by the Department of Defense and the history of US and foreign warfare.
Pachios on the News – Allen Wells – March 2026
On this latest episode of Pachios on the News, Harold discusses the historical significance of immigration, how we've culturally responded to it, and what the outlook on immigration policy seems to be with Allen Wells, Bowdoin Professor of History Emeritus.
World Affairs Council of Maine – Andreas Waldkirch – Tariffs, Foreign Policy, & the Future of the World Economy
Are tariffs an effective tool of foreign policy, or do they undermine the global economic order that has underpinned American prosperity? Andreas Waldkirch is one of the nation’s top-ranked scholars in international trade, with expertise spanning foreign direct investment, multinational firms, NAFTA, and economic integration. His research has examined how trade policies affect everything from industry productivity to environmental outcomes. Join us for an economist’s clear-eyed assessment of where U.S. trade policy is headed—and what it means for America’s role in the world economy.
World Affairs Council of Maine – Mariana Budjeryn – Ukraine & the Future of European Security – February 2026
How did Ukraine come to possess—and then relinquish—the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal, and what does that history tell us about European security today? Mariana Budjeryn is the author of Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine, winner of the 2024 William E. Colby Military Writers' Award. A native of Ukraine and one of the world's leading experts on post-Soviet nuclear history, she brings unparalleled insight into the forces shaping the war in Ukraine and the future of the European security order.