MIIS RUSSIAN STUDIES PROGRAM and
THE JAMES MARTIN CENTER FOR NONPROLIFERATION STUDIES
Present

“Obstacles to and Opportunities for Modernization in Central Asia”

Dr. Roza Otunbayeva

Thursday, September 19, 2013

12:15 PM – 1:50 PM, Irvine Auditorium (McCone Building) 499  Pierce Street, Monterey

We invite you to join the Monterey Institute in welcoming Dr. Roza Otunbayeva this Thursday, in a seminar on current challenges and opportunities in Central Asia.

Dr. Roza Otunbayeva served as President of the Kyrgyz Republic from July 2010 until December 2011, leading the first peaceful transition from an authoritarian to a parliamentary democracy in Central Asia. In 2007 she was elected to the Kyrgyz Parliament and led the opposition fraction until April 2010. She then became the head of the Interim Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. During 2002-2004 she served as Deputy Head of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in peacekeeping mission to Georgia before returning to Kyrgyzstan to take an active role in democratic changes of the country. She served as the Deputy Head of Government and Foreign Minister of the Soviet Kyrgyz Republic before moving to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR in Moscow and later working as President of the Soviet National Commission of UNESCO. After 1991, Roza Otunbayeva served as Vice-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. She was the first Kyrgyz Ambassador to the United States and Canada, and later to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. During 2002-2004 she worked as Deputy Head of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in peacekeeping mission to Georgia before returning to Kyrgyzstan to take an active role in democratic changes of the country. Roza Otunbayeva currently heads «The Initiative of Roza Otunbayeva” International Foundation. She holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Moscow State University.

Great Conversations

Thursday, September 12th 2013

Monterey Museum of Art – La Mirada 720 Via Mirada, Monterey, CA 93940

Valet Parking Available 

6:30 pm -Welcome Wine Reception in the Rose Garden

7:00 pm – Let the Great Conversations Begin! Share conversations with experts of your choice, a superb dinner, and local estate wine pairings.

Great Conversations is a unique event, hosted by the eMIISsaries of the Monterey Institute of International Studies. This engaging program brings together individuals of accomplishment and skill to facilitate conversations on important, diverse and stimulating topics, ranging from the intellectual to the lighthearted.

Table conversations include:

• “Building the Global Economy BRIC by BRIC — Role of These Emerging Markets in the Post Great Recession World” with MIIS President Sunder Ramaswamy,
• “The DC Experience: View from the Vice President’s Office” with Deputy Director Jon Wolfsthal, served as the Special Advisor to Vice President Joseph R. Biden for nuclear security and nonproliferation
• “Mapping Gangs: Taming the Violence” with Fernando DePaolis, PhD, Graduate School of International Policy and Management, and many more!

Click HERE to learn about more conversations, and to purchase your tickets for $75. Some tables are already sold out, so we encourage you to get in on the action soon!

Buy your tickets online, and please contact Kathy Joyce with any questions at (831) 647 – 3556 or at kjoyce@miis.edu.

miis.edu/conversations 

Friday, May 24, 2013, 8am – 5pm, Irvine Auditorium, McCone Lobby Upstairs

THE BRICS COUNTRIES – A GLOBAL GROWTH POWERHOUSE

Hosted by the Monterey Institute of International Studies and the Monterey Bay International Trade Association

Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa, called the BRICS countries, is a political organization that will double in combined economic growth in the next three years totaling an economy of $500 billion.

With the exception of China, these countries are just now beginning to be on the ‘radar screen’ of companies everywhere when deciding where to market their goods and services in the global marketplace. Currently the BRICS countries are responsible for over 50% of global economic growth in the last decade. Discussions are now being conducted on a special new currency for the BRICS countries.

A group of experts from government and the private sector will debate, interact and present their knowledge and perspectives on what are the best methods for successful bilateral trade and investment in the BRICS countries. Best markets, targeted industry sectors, cultural nuances and governmental characteristics pertaining to their respective business communities will be discussed.

More info: www.mbita.org

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 Monday, May 6, 2013, 7 – 9pm, Irvine Auditorium, McCone Lobby Upstairs

Please join us at our guest speaker event where Dr. Mohammed M. Hafez will explain Islam’s stance on terrorism and violence by religious extremists. A cursory review of major news headlines would suggest that religiosity, especially by Muslims, is a major driver of extremism and terrorism. Many of the plots that have taken place inside the United States are committed by avowed Muslims who embraced their faith anew. How true is this connection between religiosity and extremism? Does religiosity create an environment conducive to radicalism and violence? Is Islam more conducive to political fanaticism than other world views? How should we explain the tragic killing of innocent people by Muslim extremists? This informative and interesting talk will be followed by a group discussion and Q&A session. Please come with your questions and friends!

Biography: Mohammed M. Hafez earned his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2000. He is now an Associate Professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is also the Associate Chair of Instruction and the Chair of the Doctoral Committee. Previously, he served as a counterterrorism consultant to the U.S. government and Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. A specialist in Islamic movements and political violence, his books include Why Muslims Rebel: Repression and Resistance in the Islamic World (2003); Manufacturing Human Bombs: The Making of Palestinian Suicide Bombers (2006); and Suicide Bombers in Iraq: The Strategy and Ideology of Martyrdom (2007). Dr. Hafez is also the author of numerous book chapters and journal articles on Islamic movements, political radicalization, and jihadist ideologies. He regularly briefs government and military analysts on issues related to terrorism, war of ideas, and countering radicalization. Dr. Hafez has made several appearances on NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, NPR, C-SPAN, and other national and international media outlets.

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Tuesday, May 7^th, 6-7:30 pm – McGowan 102

David Roberts, one of the nation’s leading environmental authors and staff writer for Grist, will be speaking about the Politics of Climate Change. David is one of the sharpest minds in the environmental movement and his political analysis is second to none.

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