WAYNE — A conversation with Bobby Charles — Lessons from Colin Powell’s State Department — an historical perspective on the current situation in the Middle East and the international struggle against terrorism and drugs is set for 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Cary Library’s Williams House, 14 Old Winthrop Road.

Robert “Bobby” Charles, as Colin Powell’s assistant secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, set up America’s police training programs in Iraq, Jordan, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Colombia; managed rule of law programs in 70 countries; and ran a 400-airframe global air wing. He has spent time in more than 50 countries, according to a news release from the library.

Charles’ experience gives him a broad and in-depth perspective on the contemporary international quagmire. From 1998 to 2009 he served as a Navy intelligence officer. Previously he worked in the Office of Domestic Policy for both the Reagan and Bush 41 White Houses. Later he became staff director for the House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice, and at the same time, led the Speaker’s Task Force on Counter Narcotics. He is an experienced attorney who served as a US Court of Appeals clerk for the 9th circuit, and spent six years as a litigator in private practice in New York and Washington, D.C.

He has written widely on security and constitutional topics, including dozens of articles and book chapters. He is the author of the non-fiction book “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003).

He has served on many nonprofit boards, including the George C. Marshall Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Society, Angels of America’s Fallen, and various drug prevention groups. His firm works on security-related projects for the U.S. Government, serves selected nonprofits and supports small companies tied to aviation and security.

The program will be an informal conversation with Q&A welcomed. A reception featuring light refreshments will follow.