Dr. David Abshire, a former Chattanoogan who has broad and deep experience in American foreign policy, this week gave Chattanooga Rotarians a "thumbnail survey" of current world affairs and the many challenges that face our country.

A graduate of Chattanooga's Baylor School, Dr. Abshire currently is president of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress in Washington, D.C.

A West Point graduate who served in the Korean War, Dr. Abshire was assistant secretary of state for congressional relations in the 1970s, was called to be U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the 1980s, and served as a member of the Cabinet of President Ronald Reagan, among his many other major positions.

Dr. Abshire's remarks to Chattanooga Rotarians ranged from his view of the many current foreign policy challenges to the United States, and the rise of Communist China and its negative effects upon Japan and South Korea, to his observation that while U.S. problems in Iraq are "winding down," problems involving Iran are "winding up."

Because of his foreign policy expertise, Dr. Abshire continues to play a prominent role in world affairs, but enjoys returning to visit his Chattanooga "roots" and sharing his experiences with Chattanoogans.