Much of future American foreign policy will be ad hoc adjustments to evolving conditions.  Yet, necessary long range planning rests on estimates of future conditions.  Looking ahead demands a profound sense of the most fundamental interests of the nation, probable challenges, conclusions concerning the nation’s role in the world, and subsequent supporting activities.  One must know the nature of international politics, and the dynamics of the global arena.  Of course, such analyses are a quite remarkable exercise.

We are extraordinarily fortunate to be joined in such an endeavor by Senator Ben Cardin, the Ranking Member of that prestigious and critical part of the Congress, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  His views, as we look ahead, are important to the nation and all of us individually. 

Senator Cardin has been on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since 2007 and has served on subcommittees for African and Global Health Policy; East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy (Ranking Member); and the International Development and Foreign Assistance Subcommittee (Former Chairman). Additionally he has been a Commissioner on the U.S. Helsinki Commission since 1993, serving as a Chairman from 2009 to 2015.

Senator Cardin is well known to all of us.  He served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 20 years and rose to the Speakership.  He was elected to the United States Congress in 1987 and to the United States Senate in 2006.  He is known for his career long social commitments, most notably to healthcare, retirement security, the environment, and fiscal issues, as well as his notable role in national security and human rights.

Senator Cardin is a good friend of this Council, having serviced on its Board of Trustees and having addressed the Council regularly since 1988.

It is an honor and great pleasure once again to welcome Senator Ben Cardin to the Council.