India, Arabian Peninsula, and press freedom on IAF spring events slate

TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College’s International Affairs Forum continues its 29th season of events on Thursday, February 16, at 11:30 a.m.

IAF resumes its season with a virtual event entitled “India: Asia’s New Superpower” featuring Brahma Chellaney, professor emeritus of strategic studies at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research. A specialist in international security and arms control issues, Professor Chellaney has held appointments at Harvard, the Brookings Institution, the School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University, and the Australian National University.

Chellaney has served as a member of the Policy Advisory Group headed by the foreign minister of India. He was an advisor to India’s National Security Council. He is the author of nine books, including Water: Asia’s New Battleground and Asian Juggernaut: The Rise of China, India, and Japan.

The Feb. 16 virtual event will be available to livestream and includes public Q & A. Registration is required.

The spring season continues with the following events:

• March 10 (time, venue, event format TBD)
  Dan Egan, author of New York Times bestseller The Death and Life of the Great Lakes, will discuss his newest book: The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance. Egan has written an essential and eye-opening account that urges us to pay attention to a perilous but little-known environmental issue. Egan investigates the past, present, and future of what has been called “the oil of our time.” He reports that our overreliance on phosphorus, a vital crop nutrient, is today causing toxic algae blooms and “dead zones” in waterways from the coasts of Florida to the Mississippi River basin to the Great Lakes and beyond. Egan also explores the alarming reality that diminishing access to phosphorus poses a threat to the food system worldwide—which risks rising conflict and even war. Egan is a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. This event is a joint event co-presented by the National Writers Series of Traverse City and the Northwestern Michigan College International Affairs Forum.
• April 20, 6:30 p.m. (in-person + livestream)
  “Arabian Peninsula: Evolving Dynamics” with Ambassador Greta Holtz, chancellor of the College of International Security Affairs at the National Defense University. Amb. Holtz served 35 years as a career diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East region, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, and Turkey. She was the U.S Ambassador to Oman from 2012 - 2015. She served as Senior United States Coordinator for Operation Allies Refuge in Qatar in 2021 and as Chargé d’affaires in Qatar from 2020 - 2021. She was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, and she was the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor (POLAD) to the Commanding General of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) from 2017-2019.
• May 10, 6:30 p.m. (in-person + livestream)
  “World Press Freedom” with Joyce Barnathan, former president of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ). Prior to her leadership at ICFJ, Barnathan served at BusinessWeek as the executive editor of global franchise, the Asia regional editor, and Hong Kong bureau manager. Prior to BusinessWeek, Barnathan served at Newsweek as the U.S. State Department correspondent, Moscow bureau chief, and special projects correspondent covering presidential elections. Barnathan is committed to strengthening the news media to ensure that all enjoy vibrant, democratic societies.
• June 8 (time, venue, event format TBD)
  “Foreign Policy Panel”
  For a third consecutive year, IAF will invite expert commentary on and analysis of U.S. foreign policy to close its 29th season. All IAF events include the opportunity for public Q & A. Stay updated via the IAF e-newsletter. Subscribe at TCIAF.com.

Unless otherwise noted, IAF in-person events are held at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium. View event details and updates at TCIAF.com.

All IAF regular season events are open to the public. Tickets are required and available for purchase online or at the door. In-person admission is $15 per person. Current students and educators receive free admission.

Events are also livestreamed. Registration is required with a suggested donation of $10. For in-person tickets, livestream registration, and all event details, visit TCIAF.com.

IAF welcomes new members and sponsors for the remainder of its season February June 2023. Learn more about IAF membership, event sponsorship, and student outreach at TCIAF.com or email iaf@nmc.edu.

The International Affairs Forum is a program of Northwestern Michigan College and an affiliate member of the World Affairs Councils of America.

 

Release date: December 13, 2022

For more information:

Alex Tank
Communications & Production Coordinator
International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College
(231)995-1844
atank@nmc.edu