Topic: A Transformed Middle East

Speaker: Dr. Larry Goodson and Dr. Chris Bolan

Overview:

Drs. Larry Goodson and Chris Bolan, nationally recognized Middle East experts and long time supporters of the Foreign Policy Association from the Army War College will address the dramatic events that have been transforming the Middle East since the Hamas attack into Israel on October 7, 2023. In addition to the ongoing struggle between Israel and Gaza, they will focus on Israel’s conflict with Iran and Lebanon, to include U.S. involvement. All of this will be related to the changes in the Middle East being created by these events.

Larry P. Goodson is Professor of Middle East Studies at the U.S. Army War College, where he is the only person to hold the General Dwight D. Eisenhower Chair of National Security twice (2014-2017, 2004-2007). Dr. Goodson has been continually called upon to serve as a regional advisor on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East by senior U.S. military and political leaders.

Among his other academic appointments, Dr. Goodson taught at the American University in Cairo (1994-2000) and conducted his dissertation field work in Peshawar, Pakistan (1986-1987). Dr. Goodson completed all his academic work at the University of North Carolina. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling Afghanistan’s Endless War: State Failure, Regional Politics, and the Rise of the Taliban (2001) as well as numerous chapters and articles. Currently, he is writing “The Syrian War: First Great War of the 21st Century. In this, he discusses his in-depth research on hybrid warfare. He also currently teaches a course in hybrid warfare at the U.S. Army War College.

Dr. Goodson has lived in Egypt, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and traveled extensively in the Middle East and South Asia, including India, the Gulf countries, North Africa, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Cyprus. He has lectured on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Islam, and the Middle East to audiences at more than 100 universities, schools, and organizations, and been interviewed more than 1000 times on those subjects since September 11, 2001.

Dr. Chris Bolan is Professor Emeritus at the U.S. Army War College where he researched and taught graduate level courses on U.S. national security, foreign policy, and Middle East security issues. He previously served as a foreign policy advisor on Middle East and South Asia affairs for Vice Presidents Gore and Cheney. He has published widely on national security issues and is a Senior Fellow with the Foreign Policy Research Institute. His most recent publication is a co-edited book titled Sustaining America’s Competitive Advantage. He is a retired U.S. Army colonel with overseas tours in Korea, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia. He holds a PhD in International Relations and Master of Arts Degree in Arab Studies from Georgetown University.

FPA Coordinator: Ron Pontius

Venue:
The Susquehanna Club

Menu:

Roast Pork Loin
Au Gratin Potatoes
Green Beans Almondine
Salad
Apple Pie

Social hour & Dinner Information
5:30-6:30 Social Hour
6:30-7:30 Dinner
7:30—Announcement, Speaker followed by question and answer session

Cost for FPA Members: $38.00
Non-Members: $43.00 – We Welcome Non-members to attend dinners.

There is no charge for anyone to attend the program presentation only, beginning at 7:30 PM.

Reservations must be made by 10:00 am on the Monday before the meeting. To make a reservation, fill out the form below or telephone or email Ron Pontius at (717) 991-0899 or ronpon@comcast.net

To CANCEL your reservation, please telephone or email Ron Pontius at (717) 991-0899 or ronpon@comcast.net. Please be sure to give your complete name, address and phone number.

If you come for dinner as a “Walk-in” without a reservation, we cannot guarantee you the selected entrée. You will be provided a meal, but it may be chef’s selection.

NOTE: We bill “No-shows”

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