Amy Howard February with Your World Affairs Council 1 message Bethley Luctama Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 2:44 PM Reply-To: Bethley Luctama To: howardamyjo@gmail.com View this email in your browser As many have observed, our World Affairs Council speakers have an uncanny prescience— so much so that one might think hosting a talk on locusts would ensure the plague itself could not be far behind. In that spirit, we wanted to share a particularly timely and resonant piece by David Brooks, published Friday, which we hope you will take a moment to read. Subject: NYTimes: Time to Say Goodbye https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/opinion/david-brooks-leaving-columnist.html?smid=nytcore-iosshare As he departs The New York Times, Brooks is transitioning into a new chapter that combines journalism and academia—writing for The Atlantic, launching a new podcast, and engaging with students and audiences at Yale. It feels especially meaningful that this moment coincides with his return to our World Affairs Council. During David Brooks’ visits with us in 2005 and 2008, then-World Affairs Council Board Chair, Ambassador Marilyn McAfee, remarked that he is uniquely gifted in holding up a looking glass to our society—inviting us to see ourselves more clearly, thoughtfully, and honestly. Eighteenplus years on, this upcoming visit offers another powerful opportunity to explore, reflect, and engage in dialogue together. Once again, truly a world of thanks your engagement. Because of your support, our Northeast Florida community will have the rare and timely opportunity to hear from David Brooks this month—an experience that speaks directly to the heart of what our World Affairs Council exists to do. Also joining us this month is The Economist’s Wall Street Editor, Mike Bird. If you haven’t yet done so, please be certain to secure your reservation for this February 24th Global Business Luncheon. Mike Bird is leading coverage of topics across the American financial industry and contributing to coverage of finance globally. He is one of the regular writers of the Buttonwood column, and also the cohost of Money Talks, the paper’s podcast on markets, business and economics. Feb. 24 | 12:00-1:30 PM | The River Club $65 Members | $85 Nonmembers | $1,000 Table Sponsorship for 10 Secure Your Tickets Copyright (C) 2026 World Affairs Council of Jacksonville. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member or sponsor of the Council, or else have engaged with us previously. Our mailing address is: World Affairs Council of Jacksonville 40 E Adams St., Suite 120 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? This email was sent to howardamyjo@gmail.com why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences World Affairs Council of Jacksonville · 40 E Adams St., Suite 120 · Jacksonville, FL 32202 · USA