“Syria, Iraq and the US strategy to combat ISIS”
Ambassador Peter Galbraith spoke on “Syria, Iraq and the US strategy to combat ISIS” Continue reading
“The Dangers of Demonization of North Korea”
Ambassador Donald Gregg spoke on “The Dangers of Demonization of North Korea” Continue reading
“Sustainability in Developing Countries: A Case Study from Nepal“
Dr. Renate Gebauer of Keene State College spoke on “Sustainability in Developing Countries: A Case Study from Nepal“ Continue reading
“A Buddhist View of US Foreign Policy.”
Tom Redden, Professor of History and Politics at Southern Vermont College in Bennington, Vermont on “A Buddhist View of US Foreign Policy.” Continue reading
1st in its new “Hot off the Press” Series “The Iran Nuclear Agreement: Why it is good for America and how it may change the Middle East”
Ambassador Peter Galbraith Link to Article in The Commons About Event Continue reading
The 2nd in the “Hot off the Press” Series “The Greek Drama: An Inside View”
Professor James Galbraith The 2nd in the “Hot off the Press” Series “The Greek Drama: An Inside View” Learn more about Professor Galbraith’s Views and Activities Check out his page on The U. of Texas site for a list Professor Galbraith heads the University of Texas Inequality Project, a research group consisting mainly of Ph.D. students working under his supervision. Read about his theories on inequality James K. Galbraith holds the Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. Chair of Government/Business Relations at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, the University of Texas at Austin. His most recent book, The End of Normal,… Continue reading
“Can wealthy countries help poor countries and improve regional peace?”
Dr. Geoff Dolman, PhD Dr. Dolman reflected on the experience he has gained in the various countries where he has worked, including Oman, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. In his opinion only permanently-established, long-term projects have a chance to foster the kind of prosperity that can improve regional peace. Short-term projects he was involved in, such as the cultivation of edible oil plants in Egypt, guaranteed rice marketing in Nigeria, and replacement of poppy crops in Afghanistan, had only limited success. More successful were a longer-term project to provide water for desert crops in Oman sponsored by an oil company and various initiatives in education and infrastructure organized by the… Continue reading
Stephen F. Minkin “The Tragedy and Destruction of the Bangladesh Floodplain”
Background Readings: Read about Stephen Minkin’s Efforts to organize support for national plan for the eradication of rickets in Bangladesh Here is an article in the NY Times on the environmental threat to Bangladesh Continue reading
“Cuba and the United States: The Opportunities and Challenges of Normalization”
Ambassador Carlos Alzugaray When presidents Obama and Castro decided in 2014 to re-establish diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba after a half-century of estrangement, there were never any illusions that the path to normalization would be easy. Dr. Alzugaray, writer, professor, and consummate raconteur analyzed the opportunities and challenges of a normalization process complicated by very different values and social and economic models. Read more about Ambassador Alzugaray Continue reading
Hon. Patricia Whalen “Proving Genocide”
Judge Whalen served on the War Crimes Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo from 2007-2012. In her talk she examined the evidence used to establish and prove the genocide at Srebrenica. After giving a helpful background review of the events leading up to the events in Srebrenica, she focused on the investigation of the crime. Pioneering Woman Judge in an International Court Judge Patricia Whalen Teaching at Keene State About the Court For information about the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, this UN site is helpful For additional help putting this topic in context, here is an explanation of the history of the Former Yugoslavia… Continue reading