Beyond Trump

Join us with Professor Gordon Flake, Michael Wood, and Dr Sherry Sufi for a panel discussion on what US politics might look like beyond the administration of President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump's election campaign has been described as 'explosive, populist, and polarising, and his direct to market use of social media has been unprecedented. His election signified a powerful rejection of establishment consensuses on trade, immigration, and other issues.  And while constraint on executive power was a key intention in the design of the US Constitution, it is hard to imagine that the presidency of Donald Trump will not leave some lasting impacts on the nature and practice of US politics.  

Looking forward, we should also consider the trajectories of the trends that led to his election, as well as the evolving demographics and ethnic composition of American society, and the widening diversity of views within both major political parties.  

Professor Gordon Flake, former State Director of DFAT Michael Wood, and Dr Sherry Sufi will share their particular insights into what US politics might look like beyond Trump and what it might mean for Australia’s relationship with the US.

*** Capacity at the venue is limited and door sales may not be available. Pre-purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment! ***

If you are unable to purchase tickets online, please call the Secretary on (08) 6225 2515 or email wa.branch@internationalaffairs.org.au to book a seat.

About the Speakers

Professor Gordon Flake is the founding CEO of the Perth USAsia Centre at The University of Western Australia.
 
Having built an internationally recognised profile over 25 years of think-tank expertise and leadership in Washington DC, Professor Flake relocated to Perth in 2014 to establish the Centre, and to build a broader world-class Indo-Pacific strategic community.
 
Prior to joining the Centre, he was the Executive Director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, a Senior Fellow and Associate Director of the Program on Conflict Resolution at The Atlantic Council of the United States and prior to that Director for Research and Academic Affairs at the Korea Economic Institute of America. 
 
Professor Flake is one of Australia’s leading authorities on the Indo-Pacific, with a particular specialisation on Korea having spent nearly three decades focused on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia Prof Flake has edited several volumes and authored numerous chapters on developments in the region.
 
Gordon holds a number of strategic leadership roles including currently serving on the United States Studies Centre Board and as Fellow of the College at St Catherine’s College at The University of Western Australia. He has previously served on the Board of the United States Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (USCSCAP) as co-Vice Chair of the Board of the US Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, on the Advisory Council on the Korea Economic Institute of America, and on the International Advisory Board of the David M. Kennedy Centre at Brigham Young University.

He received his BA degree in Korean with a minor in international relations from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He completed his MA at the David M. Kennedy Centre for International and Area Studies, also at BYU. He speaks both fluent Korean and Laotian.

Michael Wood is the Principal for Woodwork Consulting, involved with international relations and trade, investment, and government relations.  He worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 1985 to 2018.

From 2015 to 2018, Michael was Australia's Consul-General to Chicago after being State Director of DFAT Western Australia from 2012 to 2015. From 1985 to 2009, his roles in DFAT included Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore, Director of International Economics and Finance, Director - Japan; First Secretary (Economic) - New Delhi, Consul (Economic) - Hong Kong, and First Secretary - New Delhi.

Michael has served as a Board Member & Chair of the Australian, New Zealand, American Chamber of Commerce in the US Midwest (2015 - 2018), as a Board Member of the University of Western Australia Oceans Institute (2012 -2015), and as a Board Member of the Asian Research Council - Murdoch University (2012 - 2015). From 2009 to 2012, Michael was also the Director of Short and Sweet, an Australian not for profit startup theatre festival company in India. In those three years it established annual festivals in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Mr Wood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma (International Finance) from the Australian Securities Institute. He speaks Spanish and French.

Dr Sherry Sufi is West Australian academic and columnist. He has two Masters degrees, in History and in International Relations, and a PhD in Language and Nationalism Studies for which he was awarded the Chancellor's Doctoral Research Medal. He currently serves as Chairman of the WA Liberal Party's Policy Committee and is a Member of the Advisory Committee for Federal Policy to the Prime Minister. Dr Sufi is active with various Jewish community organisations and well-known for his advocacy for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also organises regular study groups to tour Israel. He speaks, reads and writes four languages. Dr Sufi has made appearances on Sky News Australia and written articles for The Australian, The West Australian and Jerusalem Post.