Guided Search: International Relations, Syrian

Every year, military airstrikes in conflict zones like Iraq, Syria, and Libya result in thousands of civilian deaths and displacement. To shed light on the impact that civilians face in these conflict zones, the Council is hosting a discussion with the Director of Airwars, a non-profit transparency organization working to track, assess, and archive military actions and related civilian harm claims in conflict zones.

In partnership with: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

Unrest in Syria grew out of discontent with the Assad government and escalated to an armed conflict after protests calling for his removal were violently suppressed. The ensuing Syrian Civil War might well be the deadliest conflict the 21st century has witnessed so far.

New York Times journalist, Anemona Hartocollis, has been chosen as the National Resource Centers’ Global Distinguished Lecturer for 2016. In her talk she will discuss her experience following a group of migrants and refugees from the Greek Island of Kos to Denmark. She will explore the struggles, hopes and desires of people she met along the way and ponder the unknown outcomes of this mass exodus from the Middle East and North Africa.

Syrian composer and clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and Syrian-Armenian visual artist Kevork Mourad present their newest project: "Home Within." Both members of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, Kinan and Kevork offer an impressionistic reflection on the Syrian revolution and its aftermath, artfully documenting poignant moments in Syria's recent history by interweaving live illustrations, visuals, and original compositions.

Breakfast with Professor Uzi Rabi, as he discusses Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reelection, nuclear negotiations with Iran, the war against ISIS, tumult from Syria to Iraq and Yemen, and the status of the perennial Palestinian/Israeli conflict – and how the U.S. and Israel might come to terms on these volatile issues.

A Tuition-Free Six-Part Lecture Series: Wednesday Evenings at 7pm beginning March 4, 2015