Foreign Policy Expert Speaks with Upper School Boys

Two seventh graders, Aidan C. and Jaan R., introduced Mr. O’Hanlon and shared some highlights from his impressive career.  While much of Mr. O’Hanlon’s talk focused on specifics related to North Korea and Syria, he also spent some time talking about some good news in foreign policy.  He highlighted the fact that worldwide there are far fewer wars between countries now than there were in 1945.  He believes that most of the wars throughout the world today are civil wars fought within one country.  He also pointed out that the general population throughout the world is living better today than they ever have before.  According to one study, in 1942 approximately 10% of the world population was considered middle class, whereas current statistics indicate that 50% of the world population will be considered middle class by the year 2020.  Mr. O’Hanlon also stressed that the overall quality of life has improved immensely.  Lifespan has increased while the infant mortality rate has decreased significantly in recent years.

Mr. O’Hanlon acknowledged that there are currently six to eight countries that were democracies which have fallen in recent years or are under stress.  However, he was also quick to highlight that there has never been a higher percentage of the world’s population living in democracies as there is today.  He urged the boys to not despair and only focus on war and crisis when thinking about foreign policy.

The boys especially enjoyed the question and answer portion of the presentation.  The boys were eager to discuss the United Nation’s involvement in Venezuela, China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and recent comments from Ryan Crocker, former ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria, among others.  Mr. O’Hanlon was impressed by the questions and offered insightful answers to each boy’s question.