Great Decisions in Foreign Policy Lecture Series
The University of Toledo Department of Political Science and Public Administration is hosting a fantastic and thought-provoking lecture series exploring Great Decisions
in Foreign Policy. Topics this year range from national to international politics,
global famine, war crimes and more.
Below is a schedule of the topics and speakers. This series is free and open to the public to attend. Lectures will be held in the Main Branch (Downtown Toledo) of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.
FALL 2023 SERIES SCHEDULE
Each lecture is from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Toledo Lucas County Public Library, 325 N. Michigan Street, Downtown Toledo.
ECONOMIC WARFARE
Wednesday, Sept. 6
Speaker: M. Joel Voss, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science, UToledo
Waging economic warfare consists of a variety of measures from implementing sanctions to fomenting labor strikes. Such tools are utilized by states to hinder their enemies, and in the case of the United States have been used as far back as the early 19th century. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, economic warfare has been the main means for the West to challenge Russia. How effective will these sanctions be at convincing Russia to cease its war?
GLOBAL FAMINE
Monday, Sept. 18
Speaker: Jetsabe Caceres, Ph.D
Professor, Chair of the UToledo Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there?
IRAN AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AT A CROSSROADS
Monday, Sept. 25
Speaker: Asma M. Abdel Halim, Ph.D
Professor, Department of Women's and Gender Studies, UToledo
By the fall of 2022, Iran was in turmoil due to widespread protests against the government-enforced wearing of the hijab, a failing economy, an ineffective new president, and the looming succession of the country’s leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Abroad, renewal of the Iran nuclear deal seemed doubtful and tensions remain high between Iran, Israel, and Arab states. Many Iranians have lost hope of a better future, and the country seems at a crossroads. How should the United States deal with it?
CHINA AND THE U.S.
Monday, Oct. 2
Speaker: Qun Wang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Political Science and Public Administration, UToledo
For the past ten years, the United States and China have been locked in a competition for who has the greatest global influence. One major point of contention is the status of Taiwanese sovereignty, which has become even more relevant recently with the possibility that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may prompt China to take similar action regarding Taiwan. How will the United States engage a China which is increasingly seeking to expand its sphere of influence?
Politics in Latin America
Monday, Oct. 9
Speaker: Charles Beatty-Medina, Ph.D.
Professor of History, UToledo
Electoral results in Latin America over the past four years have led many observers of the regional/political scene to discern a left-wing surge in the hemisphere, reminiscent of the so-called “Pink Tide” that swept the area some 20 years ago. But how much do these politicians actually have in common? What implication does their ascendancy have for the region?
WAR CRIMES
Monday, Oct. 23 (NEW DATE!)
Speaker: Megan Mattimoe
Adjunct Law Professor, Lecturer, UToledo
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in widespread charges of war crimes and calls for justice. But what exactly are war crimes? Opinions of what constitutes a war crime have evolved, as have ways to identify and punish the perpetrators. How will the war crimes committed in Ukraine be dealt with?