Churchill, Kennedy, and What They Teach Us About Confronting Today's Global Challenges

Program Overview 

Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy led their nations through some of the most dangerous and consequential moments of the twentieth century. Although they belonged to different generations and confronted different geopolitical challenges, both grappled with questions that remain central to international affairs today: how democracies should respond to authoritarian threats, how leaders can balance strength with diplomacy, and how nations can prevent catastrophic war while preserving peace and stability. 

The decisions Churchill made during the rise of fascism in Europe and the actions Kennedy took during the height of the Cold War helped shape the modern international order. Their experiences offer a unique lens through which to examine the enduring challenges of deterrence, alliance management, crisis leadership, and democratic resilience in times of global uncertainty. 

Join the World Affairs Council of Atlanta for a timely conversation with author and former Foreign Affairs editor Joel Nelson, whose new book, Kennedy's Only Hero, explores the profound influence Churchill had on Kennedy's political development and worldview. Drawing on original archival research and insights from contemporary international affairs, Nelson will examine what the leadership of Churchill and Kennedy can teach us about navigating today's complex security environment. 

The discussion will explore the relationship between history and statecraft, the lessons of twentieth-century crises for modern policymakers, and the enduring relevance of leadership, communication, diplomacy, and strategic thinking in an increasingly contested world. As governments confront new geopolitical rivalries and rising global tensions, the experiences of Churchill and Kennedy continue to offer valuable insights into the responsibilities and challenges of democratic leadership. 

Agenda

• 12:00–12:05 p.m.: Welcome, speaker introduction 

• 12:05–12:35 p.m.: Moderated fireside dialogue with speaker 

• 12:35–12:55 p.m.: Audience Q&A 

• 12:55–1:00 p.m.: Closing remarks

Distinguished Speaker 

Joel Nelson is a British writer and historian. He has worked as an advisor to the Secretary of State for International Development, an editor at Foreign Affairs, and a Director of European Policy at an AI think-tank in Washington, D.C. He has a first-class honours degree in History from the University of Oxford, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge, and he was a Kennedy Scholar at Harvard. Kennedy’s Only Hero is his first book. 

Moderator 

Rickey Bevington is an Emmy Award–winning journalist and nationally respected voice on global affairs, civic leadership, and the future of media. She serves as President of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and Executive in Residence at Georgia State University’s Robinson College of Business, bringing decades of storytelling expertise and public engagement leadership to global dialogue. Previously, she spent more than 20 years as a television and radio journalist with outlets including Georgia Public Broadcasting, NPR, PBS NewsHour, and Marketplace, and delivered a widely recognized TEDx talk on media literacy and civic responsibility. An internationally engaged leader, Bevington has participated in elite leadership programs and fellowships across Europe and Asia and is a sought-after moderator who has interviewed figures ranging from President Jimmy Carter to General David Petraeus. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Chair of the Agnes Scott College Board of Visitors, and a magna cum laude graduate of Barnard College.