Join the European Affairs Society for a conversation with Ricklef Beutin (F01) on the future of transatlantic affairs. A seasoned diplomat, he has worked extensively on German relations with the United States, the EU and the OSCE, among others, and will be shedding light on current and future challenges to transatlantic cooperation in a variety of policy areas.

What kinds of changes can we expect to security and defense cooperation and trade, at this critical juncture for US-European relations? And how will this be shaped by European relations with Russia and China? The talk will be held as EU leaders convene in Brussels for a special European Council summit to consider an extension to Brexit. Which direction is Brexit likely to take and how will this affect relations with the rest of Europe and the US? Moderated by Professor Klaus Scharioth, this event aims to shed light on the host of challenges the transatlantic partnership will face in the coming years. RSVP required. Lunch will be served.

Ricklef Beutin is a visiting fellow in the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, he served as chief of staff to German Federal Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. Between 2011 and 2015, he served as chief of staff to several state secretaries of the German Federal Foreign Office. From 2015 to 2016, Ricklef Beutin headed the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) division and served as deputy head of the Task Force for the German OSCE Chairmanship in 2016. Previous positions in the German Foreign Service include head of the division for Parliamentary and Cabinet Affairs and deputy spokesman of the German Permanent Representation to the European Union. From 2005 to 2007, he worked as a foreign policy analyst in the European Commission’s policy planning division of the Bureau of European Policy Advisors (BEPA). He holds an M.A. in international affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a degree in law from the University of Bonn, Germany.

Klaus Scharioth is professor of practice at The Fletcher School and dean of the Mercator College for International Affairs in Germany. He was a member of the German Foreign Service for more than 35 years (1976-2011). He served from 2006-2011 as German Ambassador to the U.S. and from 2002-2006 as state secretary of the German Foreign Office. Before that he was, inter alia, political director and director-general of the Political Department, director of the North America and Security Policy Directorate, head of the office of the German Foreign Minister, director of the private office of the NATO Secretary General, as well as vice Chairman of the U.N. Legal and Charter Committees. He also served in Ecuador, the International Law Division, and the Policy Planning Staff of the Foreign Office.

He holds a German Law Degree, a Ph.D., MALD, and M.A. from The Fletcher School, as well as honorary doctoral degrees from The College of Idaho, Chatham University and Old Dominion University. He is also, among other functions, chairman of the board of the German-Turkish Youth Bridge, a member of the board of directors of the German Atlantic Association, of Humanity in Action Germany, of Professional Services International in Washington, D.C., a member of the board of trustees of the Foundation Jewish Museum Berlin, a founding member of Essener Chancen, and a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations.