Transatlantic Choices: The US Perspective
3.06.2026
Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations cordially invites you to a discussion
Transatlantic Choices: The US Perspective
Wednesday, June 3, 10:00
Main Hall of CEVRO University, Jungmannova 28/17, Prague 1
Keynote Speakers:
Petr Macinka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
Amb. Nicholas Merrick, US Ambassador to the Czech Republic
Speakers:
Hon. Robert Wilkie, James Carafano, Mike Gonzalez, Jack Spencer
Chaired by Tomas Pojar
The event is organized under the auspices of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petr Macinka, and is part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American freedom and independence.
How can transatlantic relations be reconfigured to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and Europe? The Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations has organized a series of debates during the last year, showcasing various perspectives on the ongoing rebalancing of relations within NATO and the West. For this reconfiguration, we need to better understand each other.
This event, conducted in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation, primarily presents viewpoints from the U.S. perspective. Following this, another debate will focus on formulating a Czech position on transatlantic issues.
Program:
10:00 – 12:30
KEYNOTE SPEECHES:
Petr Macinka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
Amb. Nicholas Merrick, US Ambassador to the Czech Republic
RESTORING EUROPE’S STRENGTH: ENERGY SOVEREIGNTY, ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS, AND TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY
Speakers:
The Honorable Robert Wilkie, 10th Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Chair, American Security, America First Policy Institute
James Carafano, Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow, The Heritage Foundation
Jack Spencer, Director of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment, Heritage Foundation
Chaired by Tomáš Pojar
REAFFIRMING THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE TRANSATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP
Mike Gonzalez, Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum Senior Fellow, Heritage Foundation
Discussion moderated by Katerina Weissova
OUR GUESTS:
Robert Wilkie is a lawyer and government official. He served in the George W. Bush administration in various positions both at the White House and the Pentagon. In the first Trump administration, he was an Undersecretary of Defense (2017 – 2018) and the 10th Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2018 – 2021). He is currently based at the America First Policy Institute, where he chairs the American Security section.
James Carafano is a Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He is a leading expert in national security and foreign policy. He served 25 years in the US Army.
Jack Spenser is the Director of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment at The Heritage Foundation. He previously oversaw research on a wide range of domestic economic and trade issues as Vice President for the Institute for Economic Freedom and Opportunity, as well as served as Director of the Roe Institute.
Mike Gonzalez is the Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, where he specializes in critical race theory, identity politics, diversity, multiculturalism, assimilation, and nationalism. He worked as a journalist reporting from Europe, Asia, and Latin America and then served in the George W.Bush administration as a speechwriter. Based at the Heritage Foundation since 2009, he has written for National Affairs, The American Interest, Foreign Policy, The Claremont Review of Books, National Review, and others