The Panetta Institute has a lecture series on a variety of subjects. The emphasis this year is on global issues and the first lecture of this year was titled "Economic Challenges at Home and Abroad." Scheduled speakers were Alan Blinder, former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Board; David Walker, former comptroller general of the U.S. General Accountability Office; and Paul Krugman, columnist for The New York Times. It sounds as though Walker had some interesting things to say!

Unfortunately, I couldn't go and although the lectures are Webcast live, they don't currently have an online video archive for on-demand viewing. However, you can catch future lectures on live Webcast:

• May 5: The Role of the Military and Intelligence in National Security.
Panelists: Richard Clarke, former White House coordinator for security and counterterrorism; Gen. Barry McCaffrey, former commander of the U.S. Armed Forces Southern Command; and Gen. Peter Pace, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
• June 2: The Clash of Politics and Leadership.
Panelists: Tucker Carlson, television political correspondent; Bill Richardson, New Mexico governor and former presidential candidate; and Bill Press, political talk show host.
• June 23: Diplomacy, Preemption or Isolation — What Role for America?
Panelists: Andrew Card, former White House chief of staff; and Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national security adviser.

The institute's Web site has more information, including the link to the live Webcasts.