Mar
18
March 18: Transnational Crime: Globalization’s Shadowy Stepchild.
Dr. Tom Brister, Department of Political Science, WFU.
From the booming sex trade in Eastern Europe, to online fraud syndicates in Africa and the drug cartels of Asia and
Central America, crime is becoming increasingly organized and globalized. How can countries better protect citizens
seeking the benefits of a globalized world from being exploited? What international actors can effectively fight
global organized crime?
Mar
25
March 25: China Looks at the World: the World Looks at China.
Dr. Neil Devotta, Department of Political Science, WFU.
China's influence is growing, along with its military expenditures. How will this growth affect China's relations
with its neighbors and with the U.S.? Will China's expanding military and economic power affect traditional U.S.
roles and U.S. alliances in East Asia? How will countries like Japan, South Korea and India respond?
Apr
1
April 1: Europe’s ‘Far East’: the Uncertain Frontier.
Dr. Helga Welsh, Department of Political Science, WFU.
Russia's policy of maintaining a "sphere of influence" in former Soviet satellites has been challenged in recent
years by movements against pro-Russia regimes. Russia has pushed back by cutting Ukraine's natural gas supply and
intervening in Georgia's campaign in South Ossetia. Will Russia regain its traditional leadership role in the
region?
Apr
8
April 8: The U.S. and the Persian Gulf.
Dr. Hank Kennedy, Department of Political Science, WFU.
Now more than ever, the Persian Gulf region offers many difficult challenges to U.S. policymakers. How will Obama's
direct appeal to Arabs and Muslims impact U.S. foreign policy in the region? What will the fallout of withdrawal of
U.S. forces from Iraq be? Can the U.S. and its allies prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons?
Apr
15
April 15: Enhancing Security through Peacebuilding.
Dr. Will Walldorf, Department of Political Science, WFU.
U.S. campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown that military force alone cannot ensure peace in all conflicts.
How can the U.S. successfully integrate the tools of peace building into its statecraft? At what point do poverty,
disease and climate change threaten national security? What role can non-governmental actors play in supporting
government led efforts?
Apr
22
April 22: The Global Financial Crisis and its Effects.
Dr. Donald Frey, Department of Economics, WFU.
The global financial crisis that began in late 2007 revealed major deficiencies in the regulation of markets and
institutions, all of which came perilously close to collapse. Emergency measures to prevent a full collapse of the
global financial system have led to mixed results. How will governments and the world community respond to this
challenge?
