Hello friends and followers! Thank you for subscribing to the monthly listing of my Seattle-area public talks, presentations, and discussions. Here is what’s coming up next month....
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The Syria War and Middle East Dynamics

This session takes a “broader view” of the latest developments and trends in the Middle East. Who is fighting whom in Syria’s civil war, and why? How is the situation in Syria related to the larger forces roiling (and re-shaping) the Middle East? What is driving American foreign policy in the region, and what are its challenges? Who are the refugees streaming out of the Middle East and into Europe, and what are the humanitarian, political, and security implications of this large-scale population shift? And what does this all mean for Israel, amid the regional mayhem?

• Tuesday, February 2, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Herzl-Ner Tamid on Mercer Island. ($100 fee for the full series, registration here; part-series registrations are available with a pro-rated fee, and single-session drop-ins will be accommodated as space allows. You are welcome to bring a dairy lunch.)
   
• Sunday, February 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Temple Beth El in Tacoma. (Free and open to the public, no registration required.)

Democracy and Diplomacy

The tension between civil rights and security is not unique to Israel; Americans and Europeans face similar dilemmas. But in Israel, this balance defines the national political debate. It also is the target of various players, both domestic and international, who promote policies and try to influence government strategies in one direction or the other. In this session, we will consider some of the tough policy decisions that Israel faces, both at the macro level and in everyday actions, and their implications for both security and civil liberties. We will look at the role of activists, NGOs, and foreign governments, in the context of recent developments and new proposed legislation. Optional pre-reading for these sessions is available at www.BroaderView.org/Current.

• Wednesday, February 3, noon to 1:30 p.m. at Temple B'nai Torah in Bellevue. There is a $5 fee to attend ($8 for non-members of TBT), and you are welcome to bring your lunch.
   
• Thursday, February 4, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple B'nai Torah in Bellevue. There is a $5 fee to attend ($8 for non-members of TBT), and you are welcome to bring your dinner.
   
• Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Summit at First Hill in Seattle. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited and advance registration is requested.

Coming Up....

I’m available for more speaking!

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