Future Programs
Ghosts of Glasnost: A Veteran Journalist Revisits the Collapse of the USSR for clues to the Rise of Putin’s Russia
Speaker: Jeffrey Trimble
Date: September 17, 2026 (5:30 reception, dinner 6:15; program at 7:00 is free)
Location: Illini Country Club
The speaker will be Jeffrey Trimble, an international journalist, editor, and media manager for more than 40 years including two decades in U.S. international broadcasting, where his posts included Acting President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. We will look back to see what we might learn from “The Ghosts of Glasnost.” The setting: It was a young journalist’s dream assignment: Moscow, 1986-1991, the turbulent final five years of the Soviet Union, as the largest country in the world collapsed. As bureau chief for U.S. News & World Report magazine, Jeff documented the rise and fall of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and his ambitious but ultimately failed attempts to reform and modernize the USSR. In his talk, Trimble will revisit those tumultuous years and his reporting from that time for clues – missed or not fully appreciated in the rush of fast-paced developments and pressing deadlines – about the future Russia that would emerge from the ashes of the Soviet Union and the chaotic tenure of Boris Yelstin: a revanchist, tightly controlled authoritarian state, now more than two decades under the iron rule of ex-KGB agent Vladimir Putin.
Trimble has been an international journalist, editor, and media manager for more than 40 years.
During 15 years at U.S. News & World Report magazine (1982-1997) Trimble’s assignments included Assistant Managing Editor, Foreign Editor, Moscow Bureau Chief (during the final five years before the collapse of the USSR), Mediterranean Bureau Chief (covering the Vatican, southern Europe and the Balkans, the Middle East and Africa), diplomatic correspondent, and regional correspondent (New York City).
At Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (1997-2007) Trimble’s positions included Acting President, Director of Broadcasting (in charge of all editorial content for 28 language services), and Director of Policy and Strategic Planning.
From 2007-2018 Trimble held leadership positions at the Broadcasting Board of Governors (renamed in 2018 as the U.S. Agency for Global Media) including Deputy Director, Executive Director, and Director of Policy and Research.
Dinner and cocktails will be served beforehand at 5:30 pm and reservations are required. Cost for dinner is $45 for WACCI members and $55 for non-members.
The presentation is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required for the presentation. Dinner reservations must be prepaid and received on or before September 11th.
Pay Online or print this form and send with check payable to WACCI.
Mail to: WACCI, Box 2233, Springfield, IL 62705
SAVE THE DATE!
October TBD
Portraits of American Diplomacy – Panel led by Tom Selinger and Exhibit – Engage AmericaNovember 19, 2026
Misinformation and Disinformation by Karl StolzDecember 1, 2026
Ukraine with Ambassador George Kent