# Message from the Executive Director ![Erin Goodman headshot.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/2025-04/goodman_erin-sq-crop.jpg?itok=VkbN3LDO) Two years ago, Visiting Fellow Doo Won Choi began a Weatherhead Scholars Program presentation with a question: “How many of you believe that the current rules-based world order will either devolve into anarchy or evolve into a new world state?” Choi based his research project on the argument by international relations constructivist Alexander Wendt that the “world state”—meaning a single, global political authority with jurisdiction over the entire planet—is inevitable. Many of us in the room found it hard to envisage either extreme as reality. Despite recent tectonic shifts, the idea that anarchy or a world state could prevail, or that old alliances would be so quickly upended, was something most of us hardly considered possible in our lifetimes. Doo Won’s presentation comes to mind as we experience the changes—and their far-reaching geopolitical ramifications—advanced by the current US presidential administration. It reinforces how crucial it is to invite visitors to the Weatherhead Center who will share perspectives that the community may not be otherwise exposed to. A shifting global foundation was on all our minds on February 6, when we had the pleasure of hosting Ben Rhodes—a former deputy national security advisor and cohost of the popular weekly podcast *Pod Save the World*—to deliver the [Warren and Anita Manshel Lecture on American Foreign Policy](https://youtu.be/-MCZ-F_t578?si=DfUTaf1awBO4-Sqw). In addition to his standing-room-only lecture and discussion in Tsai Auditorium, Rhodes also met with undergraduates from the International Relations on Campus student organization, and the next day participated in a dialogue on the future of US-Cuba relations. Other major events this semester also addressed important issues facing the world today. On February 19, we held a Weatherhead Forum on “[Syria and Shifting Power Dynamics in the Middle East](https://youtu.be/txLXImYez8k?si=h5BmpllaqfS8Lu0s).” Our panelists discussed what is happening on the ground in Syria in the wake of rebels toppling the Assad regime. And on April 16, we hosted economist Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan for a [timely event on the economic impact](https://youtu.be/5nwv-Xderfg?si=IUe6QPMQ9B3rfMh5) of international tariffs and industrial policies under the Trump administration. We have been busy closer to home as well. This semester sees the culmination of our Weatherhead research clusters on [migration](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/weatherhead-clusters/22-migration) and on [climate change](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/weatherhead-clusters/22-climate-change). Both groups held conferences in April to wrap up their activities at Weatherhead. Throughout the same month, our hallways were abuzz with the fortieth anniversary of The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. The reunion brought to Cambridge more than 140 former postdoctoral fellows from the past several decades for salon-style discussions on democracy and autocracy; globalization and localities; and material and nonmaterial drivers of social life. And finally, our annual [International Book Blitz](https://www.wcfia.harvard.edu/conferences/25-international-book-blitz) on May 5 featured speed talks by current and former affiliates on their recent publications. We followed the event with an end-of-year celebration for all our affiliates. These convenings not only push forward knowledge creation, they cement the personal and professional international ties that will be more crucial than ever to cross-border collaboration in these strained times. Since its inception in 1958, the Center has supported faculty and student research from myriad approaches and perspectives. By convening the best and brightest minds to collaborate—and by leaning into our differences—we hope that this support and this community that we so purposefully foster will bend the arc of knowledge toward a world better understood by all. **Erin Goodman** *Executive Director* --- ## More from this issue [### Spring 2025, Volume 39 Number 2 ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025) ![Graphic of a large dark green W overlaid onto a lighter green background with the words "Centerpiece" and issue number, alongside a close-up of a world clock.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/Mailchimp-cover.png?itok=WcFNnBbK) [### Of Note ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/of_note) ![Looking up at the clouds, trees, and top of a building on a sunny day.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/Of%20Note%20Banner%201920x825.jpg?h=b1067185&itok=zlYPjMbP) [### New Books ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/newbooks) ![Collage of a bunch of overlapping book covers set against beige background.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/NewBooksCollage.png?itok=oteuUsBN) [### American Foreign Policy in the Trump Era with Ben Rhodes ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/feature_manshel) ![Ben Rhodes stands at lectern and speaks to a packed room in Tsai auditorium.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/Manshel-Rhodes_025.jpg?itok=gMAu_gCy) [### Drunken Trees & Early Spring: Climate Change in the Subarctic ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/feature_price) ![Tilting evergreen trees in a snowy landscape with a blue sky.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/DrunkenTrees-Opening.jpg?h=198d5fb9&itok=JFdNatV9) [### Student Programs ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/prog_student) ![Group photo of the 2024-2025 Graduate Student Associates and select Weatherhead staff.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/ResearchGroups-Students-GSA.jpg?h=225260e9&itok=b_hQxUlp) [### The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies 40th Reunion ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/prog_academy) ![Five current and former executive officers, all wearing suits, stand next to each other, and one is holding a Weatherhead Center sign.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/ResearchGroups-Academy-EOfficers.jpg?h=8376f7ff&itok=Ldx7kBlp) [### New Faculty Associates ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/new_faculty) ![Collage of 13 professionals in circular portrait frames set against a green background.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/NewFacultyCollage-2.jpg?itok=rBrZEYq8) [### Howard Miller World Clock ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/miller_clock) ![Cory Gillis next to Howard Miller world clock.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/Clock-FinishedwCory-plugremoved.jpg?itok=Oq4FVCHW) [### Photo Gallery for Spring 2025 Centerpiece ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/photo_gallery) ![A woman points to a word in her powerpoint presentation.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/Events-Special-SKalemli-Ozcan.jpg?h=9d82d84f&itok=BzMm-gqJ) [### In Memoriam: Mala Htun ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/in_memoriam_htun) ![Headshot of Mala Htun next to her name and dates of life, 1969-2025.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/Memoriam-Htun-16x9card.jpg?itok=HkKiiwrn) [### In Memoriam: Joseph S. Nye (1937–2025) ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/in_memoriam_nye) ![Headshot of Joe Nye alongside his name and dates of life, 1937-2025.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/Memoriam-Nye-16x9card.jpg?itok=zd8xkb5o) [### Student Programs ](/publications/centerpiece/spring2025/prog_students) ![Group photo of the 2024-2025 Graduate Student Associates and select Weatherhead staff.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8891/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-05/ResearchGroups-Students-GSA.jpg?h=225260e9&itok=b_hQxUlp) See also:- [ Centerpiece: Spring 2025 ](/newsletter-issues/centerpiece-spring-2025)