Meet our Next Speaker
Dr. Brian Latell
September 14, 2026
Topic: Cuba at the Crossroads
Dr. Brian Latell is a retired intelligence officer, historian, author, and recognized expert on Cuba, Latin America, and U.S.-Latin American relations. He holds a Ph.D. in History from Georgetown University and spent more than three decades as an intelligence analyst with the U.S. Air Force, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the National Intelligence Council, primarily focusing on Latin American issues for senior U.S. policymakers.
During his intelligence career, Latell served as National Intelligence Officer for Latin America from 1991 to 1994 and as Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence from 1994 to 1998. In recognition of his distinguished service and contributions to U.S. intelligence, he was awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal. Following his government service, he was a Senior Associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Americas Program.
In addition to his government service, Latell served for 25 years as an adjunct professor in Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where he taught courses on Cuba, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and U.S.-Latin American relations. He also spent ten years as an adjunct professor and senior researcher at the University of Miami.
A recognized authority on Cuba and the Caribbean, Latell has lectured widely and consulted with presidents, senior government officials, diplomats, and regional leaders on political, intelligence, and security issues. He is the author of several books, including After Fidel: Raul Castro and the Future of Cuba’s Revolution, Castro’s Secrets: The CIA and Cuba’s Intelligence Machine, and History Will Absolve Me: Fidel Castro—Life & Legacy.
His articles and commentary have appeared in major publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Miami Herald, Time, Politico, and others, and he has frequently served as a television commentator on Cuba for local and national networks.
Now retired, Latell divides his time between Key Biscayne, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia.
Meetings open to members and members’ guests only. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings take place at Elk Hall, 210 Rankin Street in Rockland. The speaker begins promptly at noon and lunch is served from 1 PM.
Audios of Past Presentations
Listed below are links to recent presentations. Click to listen:
- Dan Poneman: Prospects for further nuclear weapons proliferation
- Sir Masood Ahmed: World Development and the US Role
- Dr. Isaiah Wilson: Why America Keeps Winning Battles—and Losing the Peace
- George Chalos: Anchoring Power – The Rise of the US as Global Enforcers in the Maritime Industry Click here for Slides.
- Christina Bobrow: Ice in the Mediterranean: Frozen Conflict on the Island of Cyprus Click here for Slides
- Nader Habibi: The Economy of Iran in the Shadow of International Sanctions and the Supreme Leader
- Blas Nuñez-Neto: Status of Asylum Laws and Practices Click here for Slides
- Jane Holl Lute: Securing the Homeland Since 9/11: What Have We Learned?
- Silkroad Trio (Soft Power in Action) Introductory Panel Silkroad Performance
- Ambassador Christopher Hill: Foreign Policy Challenges in Uncertain Times
- Mohamed Bouabdallah and Carla Canales: Soft Power — An Essential Element of Foreign Relations
- Farah Pandith: SOFT POWER — How We Win: The Threat from Hate and the Power of Compassion
- Sherri Goodman: Arctic Security in a Changing Environment and Sherri’s Slides: Threat Multiplier
- Kenneth Frankel: How Current US Policies Create Uncertainty in Western Hemisphere Relations
- Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman: Adrift: The UN, Multilateralism, and US Disengagement
- Joshua Landis: Syria and the Middle East
- Martin Mühleisen on The IMF and World Bank in the New Geopolitical Environment
- Admiral Michael Rogers on Current Hot Spots of the World
- Henry Haggard on The US-Korea Relationship in Transition
- Ambassador Douglas Lute on The Future of NATO
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