Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations

Save your seat for a special evening on Tuesday, June 16, as PCFR closes out our milestone 50th season at our Annual Member Meeting and celebrates an exciting milestone for our own President & CEO, Dr. Lily McElwee.

Following the member meeting, Lily will officially launch her new book, "Raising the Drawbridge: U.S. Investment Screening Amid the Rise of China", with a timely conversation exploring how U.S. policy toward China transformed in the years following the Global Financial Crisis — and what it means for today’s geopolitical landscape and the future of global economic security.

We hope you’ll join us for this memorable event!

RSVP: https://app.glueup.com/event/annual-member-meeting-and-book-launch-raising-the-drawbridge-u-s-investment-screening-amid-the-rise-of-china-181848

Thank you to all who joined PCFR last week for our breakfast with His Excellency Ambassador Prof. Dr. Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo of the Republic of Indonesia.

We were honored to host Ambassador Soesilo, Indonesian Consul General Purnomo A. Chandra, and members of the Indonesian delegation for an engaging discussion on U.S.–Indonesia relations and opportunities to strengthen connections between Indonesia and Arizona. 🇮🇩

You can view photos from the event here: flickr.com/photos/pcfr/albums/72177720333904874

What global issue do you think will have the biggest impact on Arizona over the next decade?

🔲 International trade
🔲 Water and climate
🔲 Technology and AI
🔲 National security

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

The world is changing rapidly, and understanding global trends has never been more important. From geopolitical shifts to economic security and emerging technologies, PCFR creates space for informed, nonpartisan discussion on the issues shaping our future. Become a member today at pcfraz.org/membership.

From headline-grabbing acquisitions to bold venture capital bets, Chinese money began pouring into the U.S. soon after the Global Financial Crisis. The Obama administration welcomed new growth drivers as key to economic recovery. But just years later, Congress passed the most sweeping overhaul of U.S. investment rules in half a century—aimed squarely at China.

In 'Raising the Drawbridge: U.S. Investment Screening Amid the Rise of China', Dr. Lily McElwee, President & CEO of PCFR, tells the story of that remarkable pivot: how cautious optimism gave way to suspicion, how "decoupling" and "derisking" entered the political lexicon, and why these years hold the key to understanding today's sharper, more guarded U.S. approach to interdependence with China.

Save your spot for a special Book Launch Celebration on Tuesday, June 16 from 6pm-7pm at the PCFR Office: https://app.glueup.com/event/annual-member-meeting-and-book-launch-raising-the-drawbridge-u-s-investment-screening-amid-the-rise-of-china-181848.

Please note, PCFR members are invited to arrive at 5:30pm to attend our Annual Member Meeting prior to the Book Launch celebration.

Before serving as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Prof. Dr. Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo built a distinguished career at the intersection of science, policy, and international diplomacy.

A leading expert in marine affairs and remote sensing, Ambassador Soesilo has served as Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, held leadership roles with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, and advised on transportation, disaster management, and national resilience initiatives. His work has shaped policy both within Indonesia and on the global stage.

On Thursday, May 21, PCFR is honored to welcome Ambassador Soesilo to Phoenix for an exclusive Diplomatic Breakfast conversation on Indonesia’s role in the Indo-Pacific, the evolving U.S.-Indonesia relationship, and opportunities for greater engagement between Arizona and Indonesia.

Thursday, May 21 | 9:00–10:15am | The Camby Hotel

A few seats remain -- RSVP at https://app.glueup.com/event/a-diplomatic-breakfast-with-the-ambassador-of-the-republic-of-indonesia-to-the-united-states-181063/.

The U.S.-China relationship is once again at the center of global attention as President Trump meets this week in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss trade, security, and other key bilateral challenges. At a moment when these issues are shaping headlines and influencing the global economy, understanding the evolution of U.S. policy toward China has never been more important.

Join us on Tuesday, June 16 for PCFR’s 2026 Annual Member Meeting and a special book launch featuring "Raising the Drawbridge: U.S. Investment Screening Amid the Rise of China", written by PCFR’s President & CEO Dr. Lily McElwee. Leveraging investment screening as a case study, the book traces how and why the United States moved away from a decades-long ambition to externalize its liberal economic model on China toward a more circumspect approach to interdependence now captured by political slogans such as “decoupling” or “de-risking.”

Please note: The Annual Member Meeting portion of the program is closed to the General Public. The Book Talk portion from 6:00 - 7:00pm is open to all.

Tuesday, June 16
5:30 - 6:00pm | Annual Member Meeting (Members Only)
6:00 - 7:00pm | Book Launch with Dr. Lily McElwee
PCFR Office, 1500 East Thomas Road, Suite 105, Phoenix

RSVP: https://app.glueup.com/event/annual-member-meeting-and-book-launch-raising-the-drawbridge-u-s-investment-screening-amid-the-rise-of-china-181848

How are states and cities shaping the future of global affairs? In a new essay for the Small Wars Journal, PCFR President and CEO Dr. Lily McElwee examines the growing role of subnational diplomacy in an era of geopolitical competition and shifting international cooperation. The piece also explores Arizona’s emerging role in semiconductor strategy, U.S.-Taiwan relations, and cross-border engagement.

Read the full essay: https://smallwarsjournal.com/2026/05/08/subnational-diplomacy-in-a-fragmenting-world

ASU Future Security Initiative

Subnational Diplomacy in a Fragmenting World Global challenges grow as U.S.-China rivalry strains institutions, widening governance gaps and spurring subnational and flexible cooperation models.

KJZZ Phoenix | Cactus + Tryzub

Soldiers from Ukraine visit Arizona to tell stories about the war affecting their homeland Ukrainian soldiers are visiting Arizona to bring attention to the war still raging in their homeland.

From resistance to innovation—Ukraine’s story continues to evolve. At a sold-out event hosted by Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and Global Ties Arizona, Ukrainian defenders Микола Мельник, Олег Бончинський and Denys Haida shared firsthand insights from the front lines and their personal sentiments on modern warfare.

Moderated by Lynndy Smith, President and CEO of Arizona Defense Industry Coalition, the discussion explored how Ukraine is adapting in real time and included:

• Drones reshaping the battlefield, not only for strikes, but for evacuating the wounded and capturing positions
• Rapid innovation driven by necessity and resilience
• The growing global relevance of Ukraine’s wartime experience

But beyond strategy and technology, one message stood out: Everyone has a role to play.

The stories remind us that ordinary people, in extraordinary circumstances, choosing to defend their country, their families, and their future become true heroes.

Photos by Brian Wilke and Jacob Hreshchyshyn.