Jaipur Literary Festival | What is the New World Order?
JLF Los Angeles
Viet Thanh Nguyen, Caroline Elkins and H.E. Nina Hachigian in conversation with Seema Sirohi
Sep-15-2026 | 7:30 PM – 8:20 PM
ASU California Center Broadway
Viet Thanh Nguyen is a Writer-in-Residence at USC. He is the author of the novels The Sympathizer, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the basis for an HBO TV series, and its sequel, The Committed. His nonfiction books include To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other, A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, A History, A Memorial, and Nothing Ever Dies: Vietnam and the Memory of War. He often writes for The Nation, Time, Zeteo, the Washington Post, and many other publications.
Co-presented by JLF Los Angeles, Zócalo Public Square, UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations and produced by Teamwork Arts
The United States has had an epic run on the world stage. Two hundred fifty years of independence and imperial aspirations. Eighty years of hosting the U.N. headquarters. But today the country has abdicated many of its leadership roles, from champion of free trade, global health, and climate regulation to defender of democracy and keeper of peace. As the U.S. marks its semiquincentennial, how should Americans understand their country’s place in the world, and calibrate a nation’s aims? Does a less-dominant U.S. offer new opportunities? For whom? What can we learn from past empires? And what do other world powers, like India, have to say about it?
Join us for a special sneak peek of 2027 JLF Los Angeles, a weeklong international edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival. This preview program will feature two urgent conversations about the shifts redrawing old maps and forging new ambitions for the U.S., India, and the wider world.
First, a keynote discussion between politician and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor and UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations director Kal Raustiala. Then, a panel moderated by foreign policy columnist Seema Sirohi including Harvard historian and Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire author Caroline Elkins, former U.S. ambassador Nina Hachigian, and Viet Thanh Nguyen, a novelist exploring empire, memory, and American identity.
After the program, stick around for a reception with global cuisine from Villa’s Tacos, Pijja Palace, and Carousel. There will also be entertainment by Las Colibrí, live poster printing by Self-Help Graphics & Art featuring a limited artwork by Daniel González, and, as always, the opportunity to connect with new people.
Zócalo Public Square values audience safety. During events at ASU California Center, as bag searches are not permitted, only clear bags (maximum size 12” x 6” x 12”) and small clutches (maximum size 8 ½” x 5 ½”) are allowed in the venue. Zócalo may be able to provide a limited number of clear bags to help accommodate guests. Questions? Ask us at events@zocalopublicsquare.org.
The ASU California Center is inclusive and accessible for all. A platform wheelchair lift is available at our main entrance via Broadway (ground level). Upon checking in for the event, please inform Zócalo staff if you need assistance, or contact events@zocalopublicsquare.org for additional information.