Scott Kofmehl and "U.S.-Vietnam Relations and the Rebalance to Asia", July 8.

The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh is presenting a Breakfast Briefing with Dr. Scott Kopfmehl on July 8 titled "U.S.-Vietnam Relations and the Rebalance to Asia". Kofmehl, a Pittsburgh native, is currently Senior Vietnam Desk Officer at the U.S. Department of State. A summary, from the World Affairs Council:

It has been over 50 years since the U.S. sent combat advisors to Vietnam, a first step in a massive escalation that included the deployment of over half a million U.S. military personnel at the peak of American involvement in the Vietnam War. Relations chilled after the conflict, but 1995 marked the formal normalization of trade relations with Vietnam. For the last two decades, the international community has witnessed the country of some 89 million people ascend as an important power in the Asia-Pacific.

Still a one-party Communist state forged from decades of conflict, Vietnam has one of the fastest-growing economies and aspires to be a developed nation within the next decade. Just seven years ago, Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization as its 150th member.

In the midst of these developments, what’s next for Vietnam? As the Asia-Pacific becomes increasingly more important to American foreign policy, join the World Affairs Council and a senior U.S. State Department diplomat for an examination of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship in the 21st century.

The talk is from 8:00 to 9:30 am at the Rivers Club (map) downtown, and is $50 for non-WAC members.