Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs

Tennessee and Japan are deeply connected — economically, culturally and educationally.

Last week, NSFA hosted leaders from the East-West Center, Rotary International, DENSO, Mitsubishi Motors and the Greater Jackson Chamber to discuss what’s next.

The takeaway:
✔ Continued investment
✔ Expanded exchange
✔ Long-term collaboration

We also highlighted UT’s developing Japan Center, which aims to be a hub advancing research and engagement in U.S.–Japan relations.

Local partnerships. Global impact. 🇺🇸🇯🇵

What does Greenland have to do with NATO and U.S.–European relations?

At this week's Ashe Lecture, former U.S. Ambassador Kate Byrnes provided valuable context on how the U.S.-European relationship is shaping global security and U.S. policy on Greenland.

🎥 Watch the full lecture here: https://bit.ly/4c3WQXH

We're excited to host the East-West Foundation and the Embassy of Japan in the United States, along with UTK Center for Global Engagement, for Connecting Community: Japan-Tennessee Connections. This event will bring together community members, businesses, and cultural leaders to discuss Tennessee-Japan relations.

📅 Wednesday, February 17
🕠 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
📍 Baker School, Toyota Auditorium
👉 Learn More & Register: https://bit.ly/4bYjIYz

Mark your calendars and join us.

The Baker School welcomes Kate Byrnes, former U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia, for the spring Ashe Lecture.

Topic: Greenland and U.S.- European Affairs

📅 Wednesday, February 18
🕠 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Baker School, Toyota Auditorium
👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/4axGogb

Big News! 📰
NSFA Director and Baker School Professor Krista Wiegand is in the Philippines on a Fulbright Specialist Award, collaborating with Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University on community resilience and governance.
Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3KuTZLU

In this week's National Security Forum, The University of Tennessee Department of Nuclear Engineering's Dr. Howard Hall traced the evolution of the global nuclear landscape from the Manhattan Project's early security challenges to modern proliferation risks, highlighting the impacts of espionage, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and emerging technologies.

Looking ahead, Dr. Hall examined how rising demand for nuclear energy, innovative reactor designs, and even artificial intelligence are reshaping the future of nuclear security. These developments underscore the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and practitioners.

Watch the full forum 👉 https://bit.ly/4qLi69F