March 14: Experience the horrors and hopes facing child soldiers in Africa

An activist, a legal scholar, and a former child soldier show films and discuss “From Conscription to Justice and Reintegration: Child Soldiers in Africa”

When: Wednesday, March 14, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Where: The Old Centrum 520 E. 12th Street Indianapolis 46202

Citizens for Global Solutions presents Bukeni Waruzi Beck, Executive Director of AJEDIKa/Projet Enfants Soldats, and Madeleine, a former girl soldier from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for a public discussion and screening on child soldiers and the work of Mr. Beck’s organization. A light reception will follow.

The systematic and widespread use of children—the most vulnerable members of the population—in armed conflict is not new. The plight of these children continues to shock the conscience and demands immediate and urgent action.

Created to provide justice and accountability to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has commenced its first landmark case against a Congolese warlord accused of forcibly recruiting and conscripting tens of thousands of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a recent visit to the ICC, Citizens for Global Solutions’ Legal Analyst, Golzar Kheiltash, met with a remarkable man fighting on the frontlines on behalf of child soldiers in Africa. Mr. Bukeni T. Waruzi Beck is an activist and filmmaker who has dedicated his life to not only revealing the plight of child soldiers, but to giving these children a second chance. Mr. Beck documents the stories of hundreds of child soldiers on film, revealing a stark and systematic cycle of recruitment and conscription, narrated by the children and their families in their own words. His films powerfully demonstrate the difficulties of many children who want to reintegrate into their communities after leaving the camps. This is especially true of girl soldiers who have suffered the added brutality of rape and sexual violence at the hands of their commanders.

Through his NGO, AJEDI-Ka/Projet Enfants Soldats, Mr. Beck combines the power of film with the power of hope: a dedicated staff of eight works tirelessly to demobilize and reintegrate girl and boy soldiers and maintain long-term follow up on the welfare of these children. In the words of Mr. Beck, “we at AJEDIKa/Projet Enfants Soldats devote our efforts to protecting the rights of children and the promotion of justice in their cause.”

Through their Connecting Global to Local initiative, Citizens for Global Solutions highlights Beck’s extraordinary work and provides those of us in Indianapolis with a unique opportunity to engage him on this critical issue.

• From the North: Take Central Avenue south to the intersection of 12th Street and Central Avenue. The Old Centrum will be on your left.


• From the South: Take Delaware Street north to 13th Street. Go east (right turn) on 13th Street to Central Avenue. Go south (right turn) on Central Avenue. The Old Centrum will be immediately on your left.


• From the West: Take 16th Street east to Central Avenue. Go south (right turn) on Central Avenue to the intersection of 12th Street and Central Avenue. The Old Centrum will be on your left.


• From the East: Take Washington Street west to Delaware Street. Go north on Delaware (right turn) to 13th Street. Turn east (right turn) on 13th Street to Central Avenue. Go south (right turn) on Central Avenue. The Old Centrum will be on your left.


• Parking: The Old Centrum parking lot is on the east side of Central Avenue, just north of the Old Centrum building. There is also free parking along Central Avenue, as well as 12th Street.

For a clip of Bekeni Beck, go here.

If you like this event, make sure you see Bukeni, Madelaine, and Golzar when they discuss the International Criminal Court on March 13.

March 13: discuss the International Criminal Court and (and with) child soldiers

March 13: Discuss war crimes with international law expert Golzar Kheiltash and a former child soldier from Congo

When: Tuesday, March 13 registration starts at 7:00; presentation and discussion 7:30 to 8:45 PM

Where: Butler University, Jordan Hall Room 141.

The creation of the International Criminal Court has established a new venue for investigating and prosecuting war crimes, despite a lack of U.S. participation. Will the non-participation of the U.S. weaken the power of the ICC? What challenges are faced by the ICC in punishing war criminals?

As part of the Indiana Council on World Affairs Great Decisions series, we have a very unique chance to hear first hand reports about the current evolution of the International Criminal Court. The ICC is launching its first case, formally charging Thomas Lubanga Dyilo (the onetime leader of the country's Union des Patriotes Congolais) with "war crimes of enlisting and conscripting of children under the age of fifteen years." Although the US has opposed the ICC, fearing that American soldiers or policymakers could be subject to prosecution, it has cooperated in the case against Lubanga.

Explaining the significance of this development will be Indianapolis favorite, Golzar Kheiltash, of Citizens for Global Solutions. Golzar combines a rigorous academic legal background with strong advocacy skills to promote international legal norms and mechanisms that can prevent and punish the most heinous crimes such as genocide. Golzar has researched, analyzed, and advocated for the ICC in a personal and professional capacity for the last seven years, and currently coordinates the Washington Working Group on the ICC (WICC).

As Golzar said recently: "Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is exactly the type of person for whom the ICC was created -- a warlord who has forced children as young as nine to commit murder, rape, and mutilation, often against their own family members." She has been working closely on the case in DC and The Hague.

Tuesday March 13 at Butler University Golzar will be joined by two special visitors to Indianapolis. In a recent visit to the ICC, Golzar met Bukeni Beck, an activist and filmmaker who seeks to revealing the plight of child soldiers and to give these children a second chance. Beck documents the stories of hundreds of child soldiers on film, revealing a stark and systematic cycle of recruitment and conscription, narrated by the children and their families in their own words. His films demonstrate the difficulties of many children who want to reintegrate into their communities after leaving the camps. This is especially true of girl soldiers who have suffered the added brutality of rape and sexual violence at the hands of their commanders.

Bukeni and Golzar will be accompanied by "Madelaine," a fifteen year old former girl soldier from Congo.

What a fantastic opportunity to hear how these terrible issues are being addressed at a global and multilateral level, and at a local level as well.

For more information on AJEDI Ka/Projet Enfants Soldats, please visit: www.ajedika.org. For more information about Citizens for Global Solutions, please visit: www.globalsolutions.org.
For more information about the visit of Golzar and friends, contact Rich Stazinski at rstazinski@globalsolutions.org; and for information about the ICWA Great Decisions program, contact Bob Reardon at jrreardon@ccrtc.com.

If this sounds like an interesting event, make sure you check out Golzar, Bukeni, and "Madelaine" on March 14 when Bukeni shows and discusses some of his films about child soldiers and their rehabilitation.

The cost for a couple to attend this talk is $5.

April 25: Susan Erickson discusses why we need to care about migration in a global economy

IUPUI's Susan Erickson explains why we need to care about migrations other than from Mexico to Indianapolis

When: Wednesday April 25, talk from 11 to noon, lunch from noon to 12:30

Where: Where: North United Methodist Church, N. Meridian St. at 38th St.

The movement of people across international borders can be initiated by conflict, economic reasons or the chance to achieve political freedoms. Migration issues have taken center-stage in the U.S. and EU, as citizens increasingly worry about job security and terrorism. What are the advantages and disadvantages for countries that are affected by migration?

Although Susan Erickson specializes in American politics, particularly in campaign finance and the media's role in politics, she also teaches courses on international relations and Asian politics. She has carried out extensive research in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hungary, and Poland. Ms Erickson frequently appears as a political commentator on television, and is a great favorite of the Mid-North Shepherd Center's Great decisions series. Questions? Contact 317-924-0959 or mnscenter@aol.com.

February 22: Listen to Taner Akçam, the Turk who believes in the Armenian Genocide

Taner Akçam, one of Turkey's most historians, comes to the Indianapolis Committee on Foreign Relations's dinner to discuss "The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility"

When: Thursday February 22, 5:45 refreshments; 6:30 dinner; 7:30 presentation
Where: Five Seasons Country Club, 1300 E. 96th St.

Here's the publisher's description of his book, From Empire to Republic: Turkish Nationalism and the Armenian Genocide:

The murder of more than one million Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish government in 1915 has been acknowledged as genocide. Yet almost 100 years later, these crimes remain unrecognized by the Turkish state. This book is the first attempt by a Turk to understand the genocide from a perpetrator's, rather than victim's, perspective, and to contextualize the events of 1915 within Turkey's political history and western regional policies. Turkey today is in the midst of a tumultuous transition. It is emerging from its Ottoman legacy and on its way to recognition by the west as a normal nation state. But until it confronts its past and present violations of human rights, it will never be a truly democratic nation. This book explores the sources of the Armenian genocide, how Turks today view it, the meanings of Turkish and Armenian identity, and how the long legacy of western intervention in the region has suppressed reform, rather than promoted democracy.

For a taste of the controversy Akçam inspires, visit his book's page at amazon.com and read the reviews by readers.

To RSVP for this important event contact Courtenay Weldon at Courtenay@cweldon.net.

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January 30: Watch John McCormick and John Clark debate whose power is more super

The Indianapolis Committee on Foreign relations hosts a dinner and debate between IUPUI political scientist John McCormick and IndyBuzzer John Clark over the relative merits of US and European power in the 21st century

When: Tuesday January 30, Reception at 5:45 dinner at 6:30, speaker presentation shortly after 7:30 and ends at 9:00
Where: Woodstock Club 1301 W 38th St, Indianapolis, 46208

This will be an interesting and perhaps even important discussion. Much more will be written about it on IndyBuzz and Provocate.org.

John McCormick is professor and chair of political science at IUPUI, and a British national. He specializes on comparative politics, the EuropeanUnion, and transatlantic relations. He is the author of eleven books, the most recent The European Superpower, which argues that the EU is a new kind ofglobal powerhouse that relies on soft power (economic and diplomatic pressure, encouragement rather than coercion) rather than hard power (mainlymilitary force), giving it a significant advantage over the US in the new globalized international system.

John Clark believes that the US is the most powerful country today and will be into the foreseeable future. Part of this power must be hard. Meaningful solutions to the most urgent problems the world faces will require an America that is strong, self-confident, and wise. The current disasters in Iraq and elsewhere created by the Bush Administration have weakened the ability of DC to impose its will around the world (although there is no compelling reason to think this can't be reversed). More critical is to recognize that the nature of problems in the 21st century are changing in ways that diminish the importance of national (or supranational) governments in places like DC or Brussels.

For RSVPs and more details about this event, contact Courtenay Weldon at courtenay@cweldon.net. More details about the substance is the debate will kick off Provocate.org.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out some others dealing with contemporary Europe. Prof. Didier Gondola discusses the explosive ethnic conflicts in France (and elsewhere in Europe). Stefan Halper looks at the "silence of the Rational Center" in US foreign policy from the Europe's eyes. In fact, many discussions this spring will examine the disoriented American "empire."

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January 17: Calculate the Costs and Benefits of Preventive War vs. Deterrence in Iran with a Cato scholar

Justin Logan brings the libertarian-leaning views of Cato Institute to a discussion of "Iran's Nuclear Program: A Look at America's Options" with the Indiana Council on World Affairs

When: Wednesday, January 17 Social hour 5:30-6:30; dinner 6:30-7:15; talk 7:15-8:45
Where: The Marten House 1801 West 86th Street Indianapolis 46260

Justin Logan is one of the very bright young Foreign Policy Analysts that the Cato Institute seems so good at recruiting. Cato is seen as the leading libertarian think tank in the US. Its love of unfettered markets and deep suspicion of government action would lead most to think of it as conservative. But on many issues of military action and international security, Cato sounds a lot like left-leaning critics of the Bush Administration.

Logan's recent paper on “The Bottom Line on Iran: The Costs and Benefits of Preventive War versus Deterrence,” is interesting. A summary:

It appears increasingly likely that the Bush administration's diplomatic approach to Iran will fail to prevent Iran from going nuclear and that the United States will have to decide whether to use military force to attempt to delay Iran's acquisition of a nuclear weapons capability. Some analysts have already been promoting air strikes against Iran, and the Bush administration has pointed out repeatedly that the military option is "on the table." This paper examines the options available to the United States in the face of a prospective final diplomatic collapse.... The United States should begin taking steps immediately to prepare for a policy of deterrence should an Iranian bomb come online in the future. As undesirable as such a situation would be, it appears less costly than striking Iran.

If you want to learn more about Logan, check out his website: www.justinlogan.com/

Reservations for this special talk and dinner (at the Marten House!) should be made by calling 317-566-2036, or e-mailing cmatthewfox@gmail.com. E-mail reservations must have the subject heading "ICWA Dinner Reservations" and must contain all contact information, including name, address, telephone, and number of reservations being made. All reservations must be received by the end of the day Thursday January 11. This is also the date by which any cancelations must be received.

Dinner for ICWA members is $22 per person, $24 for non-members. If you would like to attend only the talk, the cost for ICWA members is $3; for nonmembers, the talk alone is $4.

At 3:00 PM on January 17th Logan will informally discuss Iran and other Middle East topics with experts and students at the Sagamore Institute. To reserve a spot, contact John Clark at john@sipr.org.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out some of the other events about the Middle East coming up this spring. As part of local Great Decisions series, Pierre Atlas will talk about the region on January 24, Prof. Nafhat Nasr will talk February 13. Logan's theme is not only exactly Iran but US policy stance toward Iran. That means some of the discussions of US power and responsibility -- the American Empire -- will be very relevant. Check out the debate about the US vs Europe between John McCormick and John Clark January 30, and the talk by the critic of neo-conservative foreign policy Stefan Halper February 21.

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January 20: Watch high school brainiacs do battle at the Academic WorldQuest Tournament

Qualifying competition for an Indianapolis high school team of geniuses to represent the city in a national tournament of international knowledge and (let's be honest) trivia

When: Saturday January 20 1:00 PM
Where: Marian College Stokely Mansion 3200 Cold Spring Road

Academic WorldQuest is widely played at the adult and high school levels around the country. It is a team game testing competitors' knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture. You can find out about it here. The World Affairs Councils of America holds a national competition for high schools in DC in April. Last year the Indiana Council on World Affairs sponsored a team from Lawrence North High School ... despite it being their first exposure to the compeition, they did very well. (LNHS: More than just basketball.) This year there will be a competition at Marian College to select the representative to the DC tournament. It will be grueling, check out last year's questions. IndyBuzz has a dream of staging a WorldQuest tournament for all comers in Indianapolis next year, let's check out the competition at Marian College on January 20.

Stretch your brain with questions from last year's Academic WorldQuest. If you plan to attend, please contact Janet Jegen by email or phone (849-2691) so that there will be enough chairs and refreshments for everyone.

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January 24: Hear Pierre Atlas explain the causes of the many Middle East crises

Prof. Pierre Atlas of Marian College kicks off the Church of the Saviour's Great Decisions series with a discussion of the Middle East

When: Wednesday, January 24 7:00 PM
Where: Church of the Saviour, 6205 Rucker Road Indianapolis

Although the U.S. will remain closely engaged in Iraq during the next year, other factors have emerged to challenge stability in the region. Iran's nuclear program, the outcome of the conflict in Lebanon, and Israeli-Palestinian negotiations will all play a key role. How will these issues shape the Middle East?

A deceptively simple question, and no one is better at clarifying the issues' complexity and ambiguity than Pierre Atlas of Marian College. Want a taste of the Pierre Atlas experience? Check out this GeoPol video. Pierre is a professor of political science at Marian College, columnist for the Indianapolis Star, pundit for Real Clear Politics, founder and director of the Franciscan Center for Global Studies, associate fellow with the Sagamore Institute, etc. Sponsored by the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions Series.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out the ICWA's Great Decisions discussion of the Middle East on February 13 with Prof. Nafhat Nasr, who is sure to present a very different perspective on the region. For an important contrast, John Clark will give a couple of Great Decisions talks about Central Asia on March 7 and March 20. Definitely see the film "Iraq in Fragments" February 23 to March 1.

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February 5: Learn about the challenges facing "Post-Conflict Central America”

The World Bank's chief economist for Latin America and the Caribbean eplains what is to be done to address Central America (and perhaps Cuba too)

When: Monday February 5 7:00 PM
Where: Marian College Allison Mansion

“Politics and Poverty in Post-Conflict Central America”
Dr. Ulrich Lächler, the World Bank's lead economist for Latin America and the Caribbean Region, will speak at Marian College as part of the Franciscan Center for Global Studies Global Speaker series.

Dr. Lächler is a German national, who grew up in Venezuela and now resides in Miami. He has been with the World Bank for 20 years, working mostly on Latin America, with particular attention to Central America. Before joining the World Bank, Ulrich Lächler headed a research team at the Kiel Institute of Economics in Kiel, West Germany. Before that, he was an assistant professor in economics at Columbia University (New York City) and at the University of Maryland at College Park. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University (where his doctoral thesis advisor was this year’s Nobel Prize winner, Professor Edmund Phelps).

For information about how the World Bank deals with post-conflict situations, check this out. If this event sounds interesting, you should check out Marian's talk about the Catholic Church in Latin America on February 13.

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February 13: Learn about Lebanon and the rest of the Middle East from Prof. Nafhat Nasr

DePauw Emeritus Prof. Nafhat Nasr leads a discussion of the Middle East as part of the Indiana Council on World Affairs Great Decisions Series

When: Tuesday, March 29 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Butler University, Pharmacy Building

Prof. Nafhat Nasr, one of the most distinguished political science professors ever to have served at DePauw University, addresses the ICWA. A native of Lebanon, he specializes in the sources and possible causes of international conflicts.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out Pierre Atlas's Great Decisions on the Middle East talk January 24. John Clark will talk about a less well-known reigion with similar problems -- Central Asia -- March 7 and March 20. Hear a libertarian-leaning perspective on the region January 17. And see a couple of excellent films that illuminate the region's crises: "Iraq in Fragments" February 23 to March 1, and Battle of Algiers March 22.

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February 23 - March 1: You HAVE to see the film "Iraq in Fragments"

Iraq in Fragments, an extremely well received highly awarded film makes its Indianapolis debut

When: Feburary 23-March 1
Where: Key Cinemas 4044 South Keystone Avenue Indianapolis

If you like a good story, you’re in for three of them. Iraq in Fragments (the title itself evokes images of a war-torn country tainted by religious strife) examines the life of an 11-year old Sunni boy in Baghdad, follows sympathizers of the Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr, and also focuses intimately on a tiny village located among the Kurdish populace in northern Iraq. The film and its director, James Longley, have already received numerous international and national honors, including Sundance awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

This is Longley’s second acclaimed documentary to hit the silver screen. The success of his first film, Gaza Strip, which captures the quotidian life of Palestinians, may have been the impetus for a second Middle East- based film. Most likely, though, it was his need to tell another good story. During the process of filming and editing, he spent three years in Iraq, living both alone and also with translators and journalists, in Baghdad and in the more stable North. It was his wish to expose as much of the country as possible, within the limits of safety. Longley asserts, “It is important to me that this film presents many layers and points of view-reflecting the diversity I found.” In his director’s statement (which, along with the production notes, is highly recommended pre-viewing reading) he goes on to say that it was his aim to show “not only the divisions, but also the unifying forces that tie it together.”

Your interest and attendance is important for two reasons. First and most evidently, it is good to witness coverage in Iraq through a different lens and from several different angles. Second (and equally as important), your attendance will directly affect Indianapolis’s growing ability to access important films that, all too often, silently pass us by.

Read more about the film, including background, notes and critical responses here: www.iraqinfragments.com

February 21: Join Stefan Halper in searching for the "the Rational Center" in policy discussions

Stefan Halper, influential critic of neo-conservative foreign policy, turns his attention to the debasement of public discourse of media-hungry public intellectuals

When: Wednesday, March 21 Social hour 5:30-6:30; dinner 6:30-7:15; talk 7:15-8:45
Where: The Marten House 1801 West 86th Street Indianapolis 46260

A couple of years ago Stefan Halper came to public notice with America Alone: The Neo-Conservatives and the Global Order (written with Jonathan Clarke), a conservative critique of the hijacking of US foreign policy by radical neo-conservatives. Today their argument is well on its way to becoming accepted wisdom among conservatives. In Silence of the Rational Center: Why American Foreign Policy Is Failing, Halper (and Clarke) turn from an ideology to the shrill and sterile DC-centered media and policymaking climate.

Stefan Halper is a Senior Fellow at the Centre of International Studies and a Senior Research Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He directs the Donner Atlantic Studies Programme at the Centre of International Studies and lectures on latter 20th Century US foreign policy, Anglo-American relations, and contemporary international security issues. Stefan Halper holds doctorates from both Oxford and Cambridge. He has served four American presidents in the White House and Department of State and is an expert on U.S. foreign policy, national security policy, the United Nations and Anglo-American relations. Dr. Halper's research interests remain centred on Anglo-American relations, US national security issues and international security matters. Recently he has focused on the nature of the political discourse of the right. and the left, the rise of extremist views and their prevalence in the national political discussion, the rise of anti-Americanism among European elites and the implications for US policy in the decades ahead.

Read this early review of The Silence of the Rational Center, and see this film of Halper and Clarke discussing America Alone.

Prof. Halper will participate in an informal discussion at Sagamore Institute the afternoon of February 21. For more information, contact John Clark at john@sipr.org.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out other discussions of America's disoriented empire such as the debate over Europe vs US January 30, or Pierre Atlas's discussion of the Middle East on January 24.

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February 28: Join Sheila Kennedy in discussing bringing war crimes before the International Criminal Court

Local legend Sheila Kennedy addresses the possibilities and constraints of international law for dealing with war crimes

When: Wednesday, February 28 7:00 PM
Where: Church of the Saviour, 6205 Rucker Road Indianapolis

The creation of the International Criminal Court has established a new venue for investigating and prosecuting war crimes, despite a lack of U.S. participation. Will the non-participation of the U.S. weaken the power of the ICC? What challenges are faced by the ICC in punishing war criminals?

Sheila is Professor at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, teaching Law and Public Policy, a member of IUPUI’s Philanthropic Studies faculty, a Faculty Fellow with both the Center for Religion and American Culture in the School of Liberal Arts and the Tobias Center of the Kelley School of Business, an adjunct professor of political science, a founder of the American Values Alliance, former director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, author of many books and articles on too many topics to count. Sheila loves the law and despises bullies, which probably tells you where she plunks down on this issue. If you need confirmation, check out her article on "Terrorism and the Constitution." This should be a lively evening. Sponsored by the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions Series.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out Raj Purohit's talk about the topic on March 13. For a diametrically opposed view, hear the architect of the Bush Administration's legal strategy for fighting terror, John Yoo, on March 2 at the Economic Club and Sagamore Institute.

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March 2: Hear legal theorist John Yoo explain the Constitutional Powers of War and Peace

The Economic Club hosts Prof. John Yoo of Boalt Law School at UC Berkeley for his insiders view of the Bush Administration's legal thinking in the war with extremism

When: Friday March 2 noon
Where: Indiana Convention Center

John Yoo is one of the most controversial legal scholars in the US. If he were only the author of the book The Powers of War and Peace: The Constitution and Foreign Affairs after 9/11, he would have stirred up argument. He argues that the President has almost no checks on his power if the country is at war (and the country is at war for all practical purposes when the President deems it to be at war) and that treaties are not legally binding on American politicians. What pushed him from "controversial" to "notorious" was the position described by David Cole:

Few lawyers have had more influence on President Bush's legal policies in the 'war on terror' than John Yoo. This is a remarkable feat, because Yoo was not a cabinet official, not a White House lawyer, and not even a senior officer within the Justice Department. He was merely a mid-level attorney in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel with little supervisory authority and no power to enforce laws. Yet by all accounts, Yoo had a hand in virtually every major legal decision involving the US response to the attacks of September 11, and at every point, so far as we know, his advice was virtually always the same-- the president can do whatever the president wants.

Yoo has few supporters in academia or Congress ... but his ideas ought to be taken seriously since they will continue shaping the practice of American law and foreign policy long after the next Administration takes power. Yoo was in the center of the debate over President Bush's administration's position on torture, detention, surveillance, civil liberties, and so on. His new book, War by Other Means: An Insider's Account of the War on Terror, he moves from theory to the reality he witnessed and helped shape while advising the President and Attorney General. Geoffrey Stone in the Washington Post captures the book's tone well:

He sets an ambitious goal for himself: "to explain the choices that the Bush
administration made after 9/11," choices made "under one of the most dire
challenges our nation has ever faced." Yoo is mild-mannered, but he is angry,
and his anger pervades this work. He attacks the media, human rights advocates,
legal academics, civil libertarians, former attorney general John Ashcroft, the
Supreme Court, conservative pundit George F. Will, librarians and even the Bush
administration (among others) for cowardice, self-aggrandizement, overreaching,
ignorance, dishonesty and cupidity.

Information: 317-464-2212.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out some of the Great Decisions discussions of the legal aspects of the "war on terrorism" on February 28 and March 13. I will surely disagree with John McCormick about this topic in our debate about the American empire on January 30. I would be very eager to contrast Ruth Bader Ginsburg on March 8 and the #2 guy at the FBI March 20.

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March 2: Meet John Yoo at Sagamore Institute

Following his talk to the Economic Club, John Yoo will talk informally at the Sagamore Institute about law, foreign affairs, and terrorism

When: Friday March 2 2:30 PM
Where: Sagamore Institute

This ought to be smaller and livelier than Prof. Yoo's talk at the Economic Club. Details about themes and format will be announced later. In the meantime, here are some suggested readings by Yoo that will give a flavor of his thinking: an excerpt from War by Other Means; articles written by Yoo from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times; a recent article from the Berkeley alumni magazine. Want something more critical of Prof. Yoo? Google "John Yoo" and "torture" ... you'll get more than 100,000 hits.

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March 7: Learn the rules for the Great Game in Central Asia for the 21st Century

John Clark relives his days as a Central Asian expert ... with a special guest who is a real expert

When: Wednesday, March 7 7:00 PM
Where: Church of the Saviour, 6205 Rucker Road Indianapolis

Rich in energy supplies and strategically located, the five countries of Central Asia attract attention from the Middle East, China, Russia and the United States. How will international competition for energy supplies affect each country? What are U.S. interests in the region?

Joining Clark will be Nodra Isamiddinova, an IUPUI student from Uzbekistan, who will report on her recent trip to her autocratic home country.

Sponsored by the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions Series

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out Clark's discussion of Central Asia for the Indiana Council on World Affairs March 20. On March 7 I will focus on the internal situation of Central Asia's economies, societies, and governments. I'll be eager to hear about Nodra's impressions of changes in Uzbekistan. On March 20 I will emphasize the geostrategic interests of the US in the region. A good contrast will be Pierre Atlas's discussion of the Middle East January 24.

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March 13: Ask expert Raj Purohit whether War Crimes belong in the International Criminal Court

Raj Puhorit, senior fellow with Citizens for Global Solutions, talks about the International Criminal Court for the Indiana Council on World Affairs Great Decisions Series

When: Tuesday, March 13 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Butler University, Pharmacy Building

The creation of the International Criminal Court has established a new venue for investigating and prosecuting war crimes, despite a lack of U.S. participation. Will the non-participation of the U.S. weaken the power of the ICC? What challenges are faced by the ICC in punishing war criminals?

Providing answers to these tough questions will be Raj Puhorit, senior fellow with Citizens for Global Solutions. Citizens for Global Solutions is a nationwide organization that inspires America to engage the world, advocating closer American cooperation with and support for international institutions capable of responding to the threats and challenges of a new century. Despite this mission, Raj is very clear-eyed about the limitations of organizations such as the International Criminal Court.

Raj started at Citizens for Global Solutions as a Senior Fellow in Summer 2005. Most recently, Raj was Legislative Director for Human Rights First, where he was responsible for leading the organization's advocacy efforts at the Congressional and Executive levels, with a focus on international relations, judiciary and labor issues. Raj helped develop and implement new legislative initiatives and lobbying strategies. He also represented Human Rights First in a range of coalitions, including the Washington Working Group on the International Criminal Court, and was a media spokesperson. Before joining Human Rights First, Raj served as Legislative Director for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has also served as Director of Legal Services at the Center on Conscience and War. Raj received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Sussex University (1995) and his LL.M. in International Legal Studies from American University, Washington College of Law (1997), where he also teaches.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out Sheila Kennedy's talk about the ICC and war crimes on February 28, and the very opposed view of John Yoo on March 2.

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March 14: Learn from one of the best about children and international conflicts

Siobhán McEvoy-Levy shares her wisdom about the impacts of conflict on children

When: Wednesday, March 14 7:00 PM
Where: Church of the Saviour, 6205 Rucker Road Indianapolis

Ensuring the safety and proper development of children is the stated goal of the global community, yet in some countries, children are exposed to unsafe labor practices, human trafficking, and participation in combat. What role do private donors, governments and international organizations play in ensuring health care, education and safety for the world's children? Sponsored by the Bob Calhoun Memorial Great Decisions Series.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out Siobhán's talk on the issue of children and conflicts March 27. In the meantime, you can hear Siobhán in this fascinating podcast on "Sound Medicine" on the impact of war on children. Kelly Campbell of Ambassadors for Children is likely to give a more hands-on perspective about helping kids in her talk about South Africa on March 6. One of the three stories featured in the film "Iraq in Fragments" (showing February 23-March 1) follows an 11 year old Iraqi boy.

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March 20: Ask the #2 guy what's up with "Today's FBI"?

John Pistole, Deputy Director and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, talks about “Today’s FBI” as Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis Distinguished Visitor Speaker

When: Tuesday March 20 5:00-6:00 PM
Where: IU-Indianapolis Law school Wynne Courtroom

Local boy made good. Alumnus of Anderson University ('78) and IU School of Law (’81) John Pistole will speak on the topic “Today’s FBI.” He ought to know: As deputy director of the Bureau, Pistole is the #2 person, the highest official not appointed by the president, and essentially "CEO of the FBI."

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out John Yoo's view of law and terrorism March 2. You also might want to hear from the head of the legal experts who fought art thieves in Baghdad after the US invasion on April 12.

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March 20: Solve Central Asia's problems with John Clark

Indiana Council on World Affairs, Great Decisions Series
When: Tuesday, March 20 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Butler University, Pharmacy Building

On 9/11 John Clark was working on a project for the United Nations Development Program in Kazakhstan, trying to anticipate and defuse regional instability and conflicts ... wow, that project changed all of a sudden! Now, five years later, it's time to assess how the US has changed Central Asia, and how Central Asia has changed the US.

If this event sounds interesting, you should check out his talk (with Uzbek Nodra Isamiddinova) March 7.

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