Thursday November 14 at 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Boulder Creek Room of the Boulder Public Library. Our featured presenter was Artemi Romanov, Professor of Russian Studies at CU Boulder. He spoke and led a discussion on the very timely subject of Russia and US-Russian relations.

Artemi is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, where he studied at St. Petersburg University. After getting his PhD in Russian studies he went to India to teach Russian language and culture in Gorakhpur University, located in the Ganges valley near the border of India and Nepal. He spent four years in India teaching, meeting people, writing articles, and traveling. When he came to the U.S. in 1992 he studied at SUNY-Binghamton where he received his MA in political science and public administration. His current research interests include history of American-Russian relations, history of sports and the Cold War, sociolinguistics, lexicology, intergenerational communication, second language acquisition, and sociocultural theories and perspectives. He is the author of several books and numerous articles. He has presented his research in Russia, China, India, Turkey, Bulgaria, Iceland, UK, and the United States.

As tensions continue to shape the Middle East, the evolving dynamics between Iran, Israel, Hizballah, and Syria remain at the forefront of global discussions. In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Zach Levey, Visiting Faculty in the International Affairs Program at CU Boulder, will explore the complexities of regional confrontations from 2023 to 2025. With expertise in Arab-Israeli relations, Israeli foreign policy, and U.S. involvement in the Middle East, Dr. Levey will analyze the geopolitical shifts, military strategies, and diplomatic efforts that define this critical period. Join us for an engaging discussion on the challenges and potential resolutions shaping the region’s future.

During the Cold War, Africa became a battleground for global superpowers, entangled in NATO’s strategic interests and the lingering effects of colonial rule. In his compelling lecture, Dr. Myles Osborne, Associate Professor of History and International Affairs at CU Boulder, explored the complex intersections of neo-colonialism, military alliances, and African resistance. With deep expertise in African and Caribbean history, Dr. Osborne examined how Cold War geopolitics shaped the continent’s struggles for independence and self-determination. Drawing from his extensive research and travels across 30 African nations, he shed light on the lasting impact of imperialism and the fight for sovereignty in a world dominated by competing ideologies.

Participants will assume roles as UN ambassadors and representatives of UN agencies in a simulated United Nations Security Council meeting, discussing and debating critical issues related to Syria, such as:

• Political factions and stability

• Rebuilding efforts for education

• The roles of global institutions in creating a sustainable future for Syria