Ambassador Antonio Duarte Lopes 2

Dear Members and Friends,

Dear Members and Friends,
On 11 March 2026, we will hear from Ambassador Duarte Lopez about Portugal. Located at the Western edge of Europe, Portugal has a rich history marked by exploration and global influence. US-Portugal relations are historically strong, built over
200 years of diplomacy, shared democratic values and deep cooperation within NATO.

You can reserve a seat for you and your friends at https://icannapolis.org/dinner-reservation. Please note that we can only accept reservations made online – so we can give accurate numbers to the hotel. You still have the option to pay by credit card or check. You can contact our Reservations Chair at  [email protected]with any questions. In view of difficulties with the Clover payment system, we have switched back to PayPal. You can still pay with a credit card without being a PayPal member. Please make your reservation by noon on Friday 2 January 2026.

As we think about the future, I attach a brief description of all ICA Board positions.  For 2026 – 27, we are looking for nominations for VP Program Chair, Reservations and Membership Chairs. If you are interested in supporting your club and working with a great Board, please contact Sue Konick (410-279-7483) or me. 

I look forward to seeing you on 11 March at 6:00 at the Doubletree Hotel in Annapolis,

Phil Reynolds

President, International Club of Annapolis

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Chris Inglis

Dear Members and Friends,

On 7 January 2026, the Honorable Chris Inglis, will help us “Decode the National Security Agency (NSA).”  It’s hard to think of anyone more qualified to do this than the first US National Cyber Director, who is a 3-decade veteran of the Agency.  Mr. Inglis impressed our club in 2021 when, against all odds, he helped us understand the dangers and dictates of cybersecurity. You won’t want to miss this one.

At the National Security Agency, Mr. Inglis served as the senior civilian, Chief Operating Officer, and Deputy Director from 2006-2014.  He is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, holds graduate degrees from Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and George Washington Universities with an honorary Doctorate from the National Intelligence Agency.  He is also a 30-year active and reserve veteran of the US Air Force.  He was recently announced as the 2026 recipient of the William Oliver Baker Award , which is presented annually by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) to honor extraordinary contributions to U.S. intelligence and national security. 

You can reserve a seat for you and your friends at https://icannapolis.org/dinner-reservation. Please note that we can only accept reservations made online – so we can give accurate numbers to the hotel. You still have the option to pay by credit card or check. You can contact our Reservations Chair at  [email protected]with any questions. In view of difficulties with the Clover payment system, we have switched back to PayPal. You can still pay with a credit card without being a PayPal member. Please make your reservation by noon on Friday 2 January 2026.

As we think about the future, I attach a brief description of all ICA Board positions.  For 2026 – 27, we are looking for nominations for VP Program Chair, Reservations and Membership Chairs. If you are interested in supporting your club and working with a great Board, please contact Sue Konick (410-279-7483) or me. 

I look forward to seeing you on 7 January at 6:00 at the Doubletree Hotel in Annapolis,

Phil Reynolds

President, International Club of Annapolis

Make a Reservation
Dr. Rose Cardarelli

Dr. Rose Cardarelli

Dr. Rose Cardarelli will speak on “Leadership in an Uncertain World.”  Dr. Cardarelli is an internationally-recognized author, educator, healthcare strategist, and humanitarian who brings people, organizations, and resources together to develop sustainable healthcare and education solutions. Her background in international cooperation, combined with her firsthand experience in civil society development in a variety of crisis/post-crisis settings, has made her an influential advisor to international institutions and governments worldwide. Her leadership experiences are deeply rooted in her service in the U.S. Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer and in government as a Professor of Human Security.

Dr. Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian

Dr. Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian

On Wednesday 2 April, Dr. Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian, a Venezuelan-American citizen and Director, Department of Social Inclusion of the Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity at the Organization of American States, will speak to us on “Migration, Asylum and Forced Displacement in the Americas: Main Dynamics and the Role of the Organization of American States (OAS).”

Forced displacement in Latin America and the Caribbean has reached record levels, with over 21 million people displaced by the end of 2022, driven by factors like violence, insecurity, and the Venezuelan crisis, representing one in five displaced people worldwide in the region. Forced displacement in the Americas requires regional cooperation, sustainable solutions and protection for vulnerable groups.

Dr. Muñoz-Pogossian is responsible for directing the work of the OAS in matters of social inclusion and access to human rights with special consideration for populations in vulnerable situations. She has edited, published and co-authored several articles and volumes on issues of Latin American reality. She is also a founding member and coordinator of the Network of Latin American Female Political Scientist’s “#NoSinMujeres,” a project that seeks to promote, make visible and empower the work of women dedicated to Latin American Political Science.

She is a regular columnist for “El Nacional” and “Caracas Chronicles,” as well as a guest columnist in various regional media. She is also a 2021 Fellow of the Fisher Family Fellowship on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law at Stanford University, and a Senior Associate (Non-Resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. In 2024, she was named one of “Apolitical”‘s 50 Gender Equality Gamechangers: a list that recognizes public servants from across the world who are helping to push gender-equitable policies to the top of local and national government priorities.

Dr. Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of South Florida and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Florida International University.

You can make your dinner reservations at https://icannapolis.org/dinner-reservation.    Please reserve as soon as possible.

I look forward to seeing you at 6:00 pm on April 2 at the Double Tree Hotel.

Ambassador Shaikh Al Khalifa

Ambassador Shaikh Al Khalifa

On Tuesday, May 7th, our International Club is honored to welcome His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, as our distinguished guest speaker.

Ambassador Al Khalifa will share insights about Bahrain—a dynamic island nation in the Persian Gulf known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and modern economy. From its roots as the ancient land of Dilmun to its present-day role as a global financial hub, Bahrain stands at the crossroads of tradition and innovation.

This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about Bahrain’s relationship with the U.S., its strategic position in the Gulf region, and its ongoing commitment to education, diplomacy, and development.

Don’t miss this evening of global conversation, cultural exchange, and international fellowship.

Dr. Gordon Roesler

Dr. Gordon Roesler

Dr. Gordon Roesler is an internationally recognized authority in the application of robotic
technologies to space missions. As president of Robots in Space LLC, he provides advisory
services in space infrastructure and business concepts to industry, government and academia,
with a focus on applications, logistics, advanced missions and new markets.

Dr. Buti Kale

Dr. Buti Kale

Dr. Buti Kale has a UNHCR career that spans 30 years. He has experience in issues that range from legal/protection, leadership, management, conflict resolution, training, humanitarian diplomacy to security management, fundraising, programme/project design and management.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez

Dear Members and Friends,
On Monday 3 November (The first Wednesday was booked out at the Double Tree
Hotel), we will hear from Jose Manuel Romualdez, Ambassador of the Republic of
the Philippines.
The Philippines—an archipelago of over 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia—is a nation
where breathtaking natural beauty meets a complex and deeply layered history. A
former U.S. colony and now a key strategic ally, the Philippines sits at the heart of one
of the world’s most volatile geopolitical flashpoints: the South China Sea. As tensions
rise between China and the United States, this vibrant country finds itself on the
frontlines of global power dynamics. But beyond its strategic significance, the
Philippines captivates with its rich cultural tapestry—a fusion of indigenous heritage,
centuries of Spanish and American influence, and a deeply rooted Catholic tradition. It
is a land of paradoxes and potential, where tradition meets transformation and local
identity coexists with global relevance.

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