The Ukraine Crisis: Where Will It End?
TRAVERSE CITY — Former ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer will take the stage to discuss "The Ukraine Crisis: Where Will It End?" at the next International Affairs Forum lecture, set for 6 p.m. Oct. 16 in Milliken Auditorium.
Ukraine today faces its biggest crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union some 25 years ago. What began as an internal political dispute nearly one year ago has become a major international crisis, involving Russia, Europe, the United States and others Poised between east and west, Ukraine has consistently disappointed its supporters through deeply-rooted corruption, mismanagement and poor governance. Meanwhile, events there have served to underscore the dark side of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, and relations between Russia and the West have plunged to their lowest point since the end of the Cold War.
Pifer served as ambassador to Ukraine from 1998-2000. His diplomatic career spanned 25 years at the U.S. State Department and included time as a member of the National Security Council. He is currently director of the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative at the Brookings Institution.
Upcoming fall speakers include:
- November 20: "Iraq: The New Home Base for Terror?" Speaker Dr. Charles Duelfer led the Iraq Survey Team investigating weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and penned the "Duelfer" report which became the definitive work on WMD in Iraq.
The winter/spring half of the season begins in February 2015 and offers monthly lectures through June.
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 part of the NMC Foundation and is an affiliate of the World Affairs Council of America. As a non-profit, any extra funds collected go toward NMC student scholarships.
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.
Release date: October 6, 2014
For more information:
Karen Segal
International Affairs Forum co-chair
(231) 715-6064
jsegal_kpuschel