The Fora
United States Naval Academy’s
Center for Regional Studies
Inside this Issue
Bilden Asia Pacific Forum pg.3
Africa Forum pg.4
Eurasia Forum pg.5
Forum for Latin American Studies pg.6
Middle East Form pg.7
Contact: Mark Reese, Center for Regional Studies, Director at reese@usna.edu, 410-293-1578
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he Center for Regional Studies made considerable strides over the past academic year in mentoring
United States Naval Academy midshipmen through faculty facilitation of the five constituent regional
forums covering Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Curricular innovation
remains the cornerstone of the Center’s mission through the support of each forum’s flagship lecture series,
the collaboration between faculty and midshipmen in academic events, and the increasing participation of
midshipmen in CRS activities that further regional knowledge, regardless of the midshipman’s chosen major.
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he five Fora hosted a total of twenty-two lectures, which were attended by over two thousand
midshipmen. We were successful this past year in finding speakers who’s expertise dovetailed nicely
with our course offerings, which augmented the supporting faculty’s syllabi and widened the academic
horizons of our midshipmen. Over the past academic year the Fora raised the bar for midshipmen through
hosting thought leaders in their given fields ranging from Ambassador Robert Ford, former U.S. Ambassador
to Syria; Dean Vali Nasr, a thought leader in Middle East studies; to Dr. Edith Grossman, a world renowned
translator who rendered the definitive translation of Don Quixote; and lastly Dr. Haili Kong and Dr. Victor
Mair who lectured on the history of Beijing and the influence of computers on the Chinese language
respectively. Besides attending the lectures, midshipmen interacted with guest speakers on a more personal
level by attending meals and conversing over coffee, and providing tours of the Academy.
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growing facet of Center support has been the financing of movement orders for midshipmen
to participate in academic events in Washington D.C. This spring, the Eurasia Forum sponsored
midshipmen to attend the U.S. Russia Forum at the Senate Hart Building. The Forum for Latin
American Studies furthered the academic careers of midshipmen through CRS funded travel to the Middle
Atlantic Conference on Latin American Studies where
six midshipmen presented peer-reviewed papers on two
separate panels. The Bilden Asia-Pacific Forum constituent
faculty members provided mentorship by hosting
midshipmen-led panels that reflected on lessons learned
from their academic research in China, Japan and SouthEast Asia.
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cademic year 2015/2016 promises even further
growth for the Center for Regional Studies. We
have tentatively scheduled speaking engagements
for Nobel Laureate for Literature, Mario Vargas Llosa and
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Shirin Ebadi. In Fall 2015, we
will host five Ambassadors who will cover a range of regional topics, in addition to reflecting upon the role of
diplomacy in the careers of young Navy and Marine Corps officers. We hope that you can join us for these
events as we move forward with our program.
Bilden Asia Pacific Forum
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he Bilden Asia Pacific Forum is the primary venue for interdisciplinary discourse on matters
related to Asia Pacific studies at the Untied States Naval Academy. It functions as the link
among the Naval Academy’s vibrant group of faculty members in various departments with
Asia Pacific teaching and research portfolios. But more importantly, it is also a marketplace of
ideas for scholars and Midshipmen. For these purposes, through its frequently held lecture series
and other forms of events such as film series, The Bilden Asia Pacific Forum hosts nationally and
internationally renowned scholars to provide cutting edge research and insights on matters vital
to the interest of the Brigade of Midshipmen and the USNA community.
Dr. Haili Kong
Dr. Victor Mair
“Beijing City of Walls.”
September 17,2014
“The Impact of the Internet
on Chinese Language
and Studies.”
November 12, 2014
Swarthmore College
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Minglang Zhou
Mr. Kevin Ichikawa
“Minority Policy in
Northwest Asia.”
October 29,2014
“Superconducting Maglev
Deployment Project in Japan
and the United States.”
November 4,2014
University of Maryland
Central Japan Railway
Encountering Southeast Asia:
Midshipmen Perspectives and Reflections from the Stem Majors
Recently USNA sent its first group of midshipmen from STEM majors to study at Singapore’s
Nanyang Technical University. Before they departed, another midshipman was completing a
summer-long project working in the hills of Luzon in the Philippines on a solar energy initiative.
Now back in Annapolis, these STEM majors shared their perspectives and recollections on living,
studying, and traveling in one of the world’s most diverse and fascinating regions.
Africa Forum
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frica Forum promotes understanding of African history, politics, economics, art and languages,
as well as enhances cultural proficiency in all regions of Africa. Africa Forum also supports
and complements existing departmental African courses, facilitates communication and
cooperation among faculty, and supports midshipmen and faculty research related to Africa.
Dr. Steve Emerson
Dr. Rebecca Shumway
“The Stuggle Continued:
Mozambique at War,
1976-1992.”
October 6,2015
“African Captives as
Commodities: Africa and
the Slave Trade.”
October 22, 2015
Independent Researcher
Georgetown University
Mr. Ronald Hawkins
Dr. Douglas Johnson
“Combating Violent
Extremist Groups through
Public Diplomacy.”
October 8,2015
“South Sudan:
Legacies of War.”
March 12, 2015
Department of State, PAO
Oxford University
Eurasia Forum
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urasia Forum is the primary venue for interdisciplinary discourse on academic, scholarly,
cultural, and pedagogical matters related to Eurasia at the United States Naval Academy. It
links members of the Naval Academy faculty from several disciplines, including History, Economics,
Languages and Cultures, and Political Science, whose teaching and research involve this part of
the world. Its purpose is to provide midshipmen and faculty with opportunities to interact with
scholars, government and business leaders, and regional experts with knowledge and experience
in Eurasia. To support that goal, Eurasian Forum organizes lectures, conferences, film screenings,
and other activities covering a wide range of topics relating to Eurasia.
Dr. Thomas DeWaal
Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace
“The Caucasus: Security
and Insecurity at the
Crossroads of Eurasia.”
October 31, 2014
Dr. John Pettifer
Oxford University
“South East Europe, A
Generation after the
Cold War-- Realism
or Optimism?”
November 6, 2014
Dr. Laurie Rush
United States Army
“Monuments Officers,
Lessons Learned for the
21st Century Military.”
January 27, 2015
Dr. Andrew Novo
National Defense University
“NATO Beyond Banalities:
Past, Present, Future.”
Forum for Latin American Studies
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T
orum for Latin American Studies (FLAS) is the primary venue for interdisciplinary discourse
on academic, scholarly, cultural, and pedagogical matters related to Latin America and the
Caribbean at the United States Naval Academy.
o support that effort and to provide perspectives on Latin America to the Brigade and
to the Naval Academy community, FLAS presents frequent lectures, conferences, film
showings, and other activities covering a wide range of topics. Speakers include not only
Naval Academy faculty, but also scholars from American and foreign institutions, diplomats, and
government and private sector policy experts.
Dr. Miguel Tinker Salas
Dr. Marixa Lasso
“Beyond Chavez:
Navigating Contemporary
Venezuelan Politics.”
August 27,2014
“Tropical Politics of
Depopulation at the
Panama Canal Zone:
1904-1916.”
January 14, 2015
Pomona College
Dr. Edith Grossman
“Cervantes, Faulkner and
Marquez: Four Centuries of
Literary Tradition.”
November 19,2014
Case University
Dr. Jean-Marie Simon
Journalist
“Guatamala’s War: Historical
Memory and Historical
Accuracy.”
April 10, 2015
Middle East Forum
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he Middle East Forum serves to enhance the educational opportunities of midshipmen
through supporting international and regional study, curricular innovation, community
outreach, and as a center for resources on all aspects of the Middle East. The Middle Forum
is comprised of over a dozen faculty members that enjoy representation across all three divisions
at the USNA. Since 2006 the Middle East Forum, formally the Center for Middle East and Islamic
Studies, hosted hundreds of events that have created an indeliable institutional memory on all
issues surrounding the Middle East.
Ambassador
Robert Ford
Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Vali Nasr
Dean, School of Advanced
International Studies, Johns Hopkins
“The New Old War
in the Levant.”
October 14, 2014
“Opportunities and
Uncertainties in the Middle
East.”
April 5, 2015
Dr. Azfar Moin
Dr. Paul Pillar
The University of Texas, Austin
“The Caliph Versus the
Saint: Sovereignty in Islam
in Early Modern Times.”
February 12,2015
MG Giora Romm
Israeli Airforce
Solitary: The Crash,
Captivity and Comeback
of an Ace Fighter Pilot
January 20,2015
“The Iran Negotiations: Stakes,
Motivations, and Agendas.”
April 16,2015
Dr. Robert Rubenstein
Syracuse University
“Medical Anthropology in a
Middle East Context.”
October 2, 2014
Mentorship
Mid Atlantic Council on Latin American Studies Conference
April 17-18, Ithaca College, NY
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SNA faculty from the departments of Languages & Cultures and History mentored seven
midshipmen throughout the previous academic year in order for them to present their
written work at the Middle Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies (MACLAS) Conference
on April 17, 2015.
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ssoc. Prof. Silvia Peart, Lt. Paul Angelo and Assoc. Prof. Sharika Crawford prepared two panels
of undergraduate papers, their titles were: “Women Politics and Identity in Latin America”
and “Mobility and Borders in Latin America.” The proposal was submitted to and accepted by the
MACLAS conference committee through a peer review process.
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ssoc. Prof. Peart developed the overall mentorship program after teaching FS412 (Latin
American Civilization) in spring 2014, which required that students complete a final research
paper entirely written in Spanish. After consideration of submitted papers, Dr. Peart selected
MIDN 1/C Natasha Patterson MIDN 1/C Madeline Zell and MIDN 2/C Dale Lescher as viable
candidates for conference participation.
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lthough Lt. Paul Angelo works in the Languages and Cultures Department, he actively seeks
mentorship opportunities with students in the Political Science Department, of which he
is a graduate, who demonstrate an interest in Latin America. Lt. Angelo actively worked with
MIDN 2/C Ethan Hamilton and MIDN 3/C Hannah Meadows, as he was impressed by their
academic performance and genuine passion for Latin America. His interaction with these students
is especially needed since the dissolution of the Latin American politics course offerings last year.
D
uring spring 2015 term Assoc. Prof. Crawford worked with two History majors MIDN 1/C
Adriana Ayala and MIDN 2/C Brissa Medina who are collaborating on her current research.
Under a directed study (HH485), they examined primary and secondary sources in English and
Spanish on the Nicaraguan state and popular efforts to regulate and limit access to maritime
waters and marine resources during the 1890s. In addition to closely working with a faculty on
their research, midshipmen Ayala and Medina employed their foreign language skills in a practical
manner for professional purposes.
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tudents listed are majoring in programs ranging from Mathematics, System Engineering, to
Aerospace Engineering, respectively. Presenting at a Latin American Studies Conference gave
them the opportunity to create bridges between their field of work, the Spanish language, and
culture in Latin America.