Fielden Institute Distinguished Lecture Series Examines Global Issues and National Security

September 10, 2018 Suzanne Seldes

One of the most well-known offerings through the Fielden Institute for Lifelong Learning is the popular Distinguished Lecture Series. The series focuses on subjects in foreign policy, the environment, education, health and the economy.

Lectures are offered once per month, December through April, at Indian River State College Vero Beach and Stuart campuses. Lectures at the Mueller Campus in Vero Beach are offered 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; lectures at the Chastain Campus in Stuart take place 3 to 5 p.m.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to the lecture. Lectures last approximately one hour and are followed by a moderated 30-minute question and answer session.

December 13, 2018 "North Korea: War or Peace?" - David W. Hunter is a retired U.S. Diplomat, who served in South Korea, India, Ukraine, Pakistan and Spain. He served at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, S. Korea, among many other assignments. Hunter holds an M.Phil. Degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics (LSE), and speaks Russian, Spanish and some Korean. He will discuss our options in dealing with North Korea.
January 10, 2019 “The Importance of the National Security Council” - The National Security Council (NSC) has been and should continue to be one of the most important elements of government. It was established in 1947 to ensure that important decisions are based on an objective evaluation of all the relevant options and that the President’s decisions are effectively implemented. The NSC, though, cannot ensure these things if key personnel do not act as honest brokers or if the decision-making process is short-circuited and the options are not thoroughly vetted. Dr. James F. Miskel was a Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control at the NSC during two administrations. He also served as a Professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College where he remains an adjunct professor.
February 7, 2019 “Tales from the Trenches: Ethical Dilemmas Delivering Cancer Care in Sub-Saharan Africa” - Attempting to bring medical care to the developing world can be a vast challenge. From easily anticipated technical hurdles to the surprising economic, social, and political ones; lofty aspirations are often dashed by revelations in the field. Cultural differences can confound the best of intentions, and humility is the key to success. Dr. Aron Rose will discuss some of the great frustrations and rewards he’s experienced attempting to doctor abroad over three decades. Dr. Rose serves as Chair of the Bioethics Committee for the White House’s Sub-Saharan Africa Cancer Care Initiative.
March 14, 2019 “How the World’s Superpower Bungles Foreign Policy” - Hear Ambassador Doug McElhaney reflect on how the disappearance of a bipartisan U.S. foreign policy has brought the worst of interparty politics to the fore. Through ten administrations, and assignments at NATO, Paris, Rome, Cairo, and Sarajevo, he personally saw how domestic politics and ideologically driven foreign policymakers team up to drive an often faulty policy process. A 34-year veteran of the State Department, he will suggest ways to formulate foreign policy to the benefit of all Americans.
April 11, 2019 “Post 9/11 Military Intelligence Evolution" (The Amalgamation of National Intelligence Services across the U.S. Government Spectrum and their impact on the common ground warrior.) - Colonel Ken Brandel will speak specifically about some of our country’s growing pains with regard to intelligence, and how we have evolved into an amalgamated and cohesive military force. With 38 years of experience ranging from a Cold War enlisted Infantryman, to a Senior Intelligence Officer, his talk will capture the struggles, follies, obstacles and progress for the continuous evolution of Intelligence in the hands of the ground combatant. Colonel Brandel is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a B.S. degree in Political Science, and a Master of Military Science from the Marine Corps Command and General Staff College in Quantico, Virginia.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is presented by the IRSC Foundation. Registration for the five-part series is $150 per person for nonmembers; $100 per person for members and peer leaders. If available, individual lecture seats are offered at $35 one week prior to each of the lectures. For more information, or to subscribe by phone, call 772-462-7880. To subscribe online, visit www.irscfoundation.org.