ADVISORY: Is the U.S. Committing Superpower Suicide?

• WHAT: Former U.S. national security advisors debate – “Is the United States in the process of committing superpower suicide?” 

• WHO: John Bolton and Susan Rice – two high-profile national security officials with firsthand experience in foreign policy, global conflict and U.S. strategic posture and different perspectives

• WHEN: April 13, 2026, Doors open 6 p.m., 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• WHERE: Glenn Miller Ballroom, University Memorial Center, 1669 Euclid Ave, Boulder, CO 80309

• HOW: Free and open to the public. 

• MEDIA GUIDANCE:

  • Media are invited to attend and cover and must RSVP to cunews@colorado.edu by Sunday, April 12 at 5 p.m. MT. 

  • Media can video or photograph the first three minutes of the debate. No audio recording will be permitted. 

  • Event security requires media to drop off equipment by Monday, April 13 at 3 p.m. 

  • Media will be provided access to room and equipment at 5:30 p.m. for set up.

  • Technology check and doors open to the public at 6 p.m.

  • High-resolution images will be available to media within an hour of the event’s conclusion upon request; three minutes of B-Roll (no audio) will be available Tuesday afternoon upon request. 

Newswise — April 10, 2026 — Former U.S. national security advisers Susan Rice and John Bolton will debate America’s global standing during a high‑profile event kicking off the University of Colorado Boulder’s 78th Conference on World Affairs.

Hosted by the Steamboat Institute and the Bruce D. Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization, the debate will examine the resolution: “The United States is in the process of committing superpower suicide.”

Media are invited to attend and cover and must RSVP to cunews@colorado.edu by Sunday, April 12 at 5 p.m. MT. See Media Guidance above for specifics. 

About Steamboat Institute

The Steamboat Institute, known for advocating individual liberty and open inquiry, notes that this event will help audience members to have a clearer understanding of current foreign policy and geopolitical challenges. Audience members will be able to participate in pre- and post-debate polling on the debate question to measure how opinions have shifted and will be able to submit questions to the speakers using their mobile devices.

About the Benson Center

The Benson Center exists to foster intellectual and ideological diversity. In that spirit, this debate offers students, faculty, and the broader CU community an opportunity to hear two distinguished public servants offer competing perspectives on one of the most pressing issues of our time -America’s role in the world.

About CU Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder is Colorado’s leading public research university, transforming lives since 1876. As the state’s flagship university and one of only 38 U.S. public research institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU), CU Boulder has proudly served Coloradans since the state’s founding. Home to five Nobel Laureates since 1989 and the only university to send space instruments to every planet in the solar system, CU Boulder provides a strong return on investment by aligning efforts to achieve research and creative excellence, global sustainability impact and the success of all students, faculty and staff. Learn more at colorado.edu/about.

###

Find more media resources | Find more story ideas at CU Boulder Today

Sign up for Beyond Research Newsletter