The 5:30 p.m. program on Wednesday is sponsored by four academic programs: Peace and Conflict Studies, International Studies, Political Science and Policy Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies.
Wednesday, September 11, 5:30-7 p.m.
McBride Gathering Space in Numen Lumen Pavilion
Refreshments Provided
Come hear a panel of experts discuss the current crisis in Syria and respond to your questions:
Sarah Salwen, Political Science/Policy Studies, Elon
Brian Digre, History/International Studies, Elon
Haya Ajjan, Business-Management, Elon
Bojan Savic, Political Science, Elon
Stephen Gent, Political Science-UNC-Chapel Hill
Safia Swimelar, Political Science/Peace and Conflict Studies, Elon (Moderator)
The conflict in Syria has been growing in intensity and scope for more than two years. The United Nations now estimates that more than 100,000 Syrians have died, two million refugees have fled, and four million have been displaced within the country.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres recently described Syria as “a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history.” However, the international community has been largely paralyzed by indecision and disagreement about how to respond.
Now, following a large-scale chemical weapons attack against Syrian civilians on August 21, the United States has accused the Assad regime of crossing an international “red line” and President Barack Obama is seeking Congressional approval for a limited military intervention to deter and degrade the potential future use of such weapons.
All this raises serious questions: Should the United States intervene in Syria’s civil war? Is U.S. intervention legal or legitimate? What are the possible outcomes of a military intervention? What is the best way to help the Syrian people and bring about an end to the conflict?
For more information, contact Associate Professor Safia Swimelar at sswimelar@elon.edu.