The International Affairs Forum (IAF) at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) opens its 33rd season of public dialogue addressing critical global issues in northern Michigan. Fall events sequence features distinguished diplomats, intelligence leaders, foreign correspondents, foreign policy scholars, and the organization’s 2nd Annual Gala fundraiser. For more information or event details, click here. 

September 3 | Five Years After The Fall of Kabul: The Afghan Connection in Traverse City | 6:30 - 8:30pm with Amb. Greta C. Holtz, President & CEO of AmidEast and former U.S. Ambassador to Oman (2012–2015). Moderated by Karen Puschel Segal, retired U.S. Diplomat and Coordinator for the Afghan Migrant Ministry Project (AMMP) in Traverse City. In person event. Off-record community dialogue. Free event, registration required. 

September 17 | U.S. Intelligence in the 21st Century | 6:00pm reception | 7:00pm ET program with Paul Hollingsworth, President of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers and former CIA Senior Executive. IAF’s inaugural Segal Diplomacy Series lecture presented in memory of Jack Segal (1945-2026) and in recognition of Karen Puschel Segal, with event underwriting provided by Laura Stein Goldfeder & Leigh Stein McNamara. 

October 15 | 2nd Annual IAF Gala: An Evening of Political Insight & Global Perspective with Candy Crowley | 6:00 - 9:00pm at The Hagerty Center, Great Lakes Campus, Northwestern Michigan College. The International Affairs Forum invites the community to its 2nd Annual Gala fundraiser featuring Candy Crowley, award-winning journalist, former CNN Chief Political Correspondent, and host of State of the Union with Candy Crowley. Note: This special fundraising event is not included with regular IAF membership; separate ticket purchase is required. Tables & sponsorship opportunities are available. 

October 20 | This Cursed Beautiful Land: A Russian-American Story | A National Writers Series event presented with IAF as promotional partner, featuring Evan Gershkovich, centering on the revelatory memoir from the Wall Street Journal reporter who was wrongly imprisoned in Putin’s Russia for more than a year, a glimpse inside the perils and contradictions of a country in the midst of autocracy. This partner event is not included with regular IAF membership; separate ticket purchase is required from NWS. 

October 22 | Iran, Middle East Instability & National Security | 6:00pm reception | 7:00pm ET program with Javed Ali, Associate Professor of Practice at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan, and former official with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Event underwriting provided by Eleanor Lynn. 

November 12 | Boiling Point: How America Brought War To Ukraine | 6:00pm reception | 7:00pm ET program with Stephen Kinzer, former New York Times foreign correspondent, award-winning writer & bestselling author; Senior Fellow in International & Public Affairs, Watson School of International & Public Affairs, Brown University. Book sales & signing facilitated by Artemis Books & Goods.