The geopolitics of energy: Winners and losers

TRAVERSE CITY - As oil prices plummeted, 2014 was described as unpredictable and unimaginable, changing the economic and political outlook for consumers and producers alike. Join Dr. Mary Cline, an expert on the politics of energy and a strategic advisor to business executives, for her perspective on the global energy markets at the next International Affairs Forum lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19.

Currently a Washington DC-based partner at  Longview Global Advisors, Cline was a Russia expert at the U.S. Department of State and also spent time in Dubai where she wrote on issues of energy security facing Middle East governments. She will discuss who the winners and losers are in this complex game and the likely impact for geostrategic politics as well as business. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, where teaches on political risk analysis.

IAF lectures are rebroadcast on UpNorth TV public access cable television three times a week, and available online for streaming on demand. Board members also produce “Beyond the Headlines,” a roundtable-style interview program that focuses on current foreign affairs issues and airs on UpNorth TV.

The IAF is affiliated with NMC and the World Affairs Council of America. All lectures are held in the Dennos Museum Center's Milliken Auditorium on the NMC campus at 6 p.m., with a reception prior to the lecture from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Admission is free to all students and educators, and $10 for others. Subscriber tickets for the entire season are available; visit www.tciaf.com or call (231) 995-1700 for more information.

In addition, IAF will sponsor a special panel discussion on Putin's Russia and Ukraine on April 8. Admission is free but donations will be collected to help with with travel expenses for Traverse City Central High School's winning Academic World Quest team, which will represent northern Michigan in the national competition in Washington DC later in April. Speakers at the 7 p.m. event at Lars Hockstad Auditorium include:

Edwin G. Dolan: A  specialist on the Russian economy with an MA from the Russian-East European Institute of Indiana University and a PhD in Economics from Yale. He has recently resettled in Northport and writes an econ blog.

Tracy Nichols Busch -- an expert on domestic conditions in Russia who frequently works and travels in Russia. She received her PhD from Georgetown University in Russian studies and currently teaches history at Ferris State University. 

Jack Segal – retired diplomat with an extensive background in Russian and Soviet affairs at the US Department of State and at NATO. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, he and his wife Karen opened the first US Consulate General in Yekaterinburg, Russia. They current co-chair the International Affairs Forum.

RELEASE DATE:  march 16, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Karen Segal
International Affairs Forum co-chair
(231) 715-6064
jsegal_kpuschel@yahoo.com

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