KEENE, N.H., 02/25/09 - Keene State College invites the community to join four free discussions focusing on international issues.

Organized by Great Decisions, America's longest-standing global affairs education program, the discussions offer the public an opportunity to learn about and discuss foreign policy. Each participant's point of view carries equal weight, everyone is encouraged to share opinions and ideas, and everyone has the opportunity to speak. Since the focus is a critical examination of issues and opinions, consensus is not the goal, and no attempts are made to "convert" others.

The 2009 season begins March 12 with "Afghanistan and Pakistan," followed by "Egypt: Key Ally in the Middle East" on March 26, before moving to "Global Food Crisis" on April 9, and concluding with "The U.S. and Rising Powers" on April 23.

Javed Chaudhri's March 12 discussion examines Afghanistan and Pakistan, analyzing the relevance of regional rivalries between India, Pakistan, China, Iran, and Afghanistan. He taught humanities at several colleges, including Marlboro College, Keene State College, Johnson State College, and University of Vermont Extension. Keene State assistant professor of economics Armagan Gezichi discusses "Egypt: Key Ally in the Middle East." Her session analyzes how the relationship between Egypt and the United States will change when the country's president, Hosni Mubarak, steps down.

International economics, development economics, and economics of the Middle East are among Gezichi's interests.

Michael Antonucci, Keene Sate assistant professor of English, discusses the reasons behind the spike in food prices that fueled riots in many countries' talks in early 2008 and what can be done to ensure the world's food security on April 9. Jules Larocque ends the season with his discussion on "The U.S. and Rising Powers." Larocque's talk assesses the role the United States will play and the kind of relationship the country will have with the rest of the world. Larocque is a retired economics professor, Lawrence University, Wisconsin, and an instructor for the Cheshire Academy of Lifelong Learning.

While there is no cost for the Great Decision program, attendees are encouraged to buy the Great Decisions 2009 publication. The 112-page publication costs $18 and is available at the Keene State College bookstore, located in the Student Center. The discussions are scheduled for Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Rhodes N120. The format is a 45-minute lecture, followed by moderated discussion. Contact Continuing Education to RSVP.

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