The Foreign Service Journal, June 2017

56 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSA and Smithsonian Associates Explore the Complexities of the Middle East AFSA’s outreach partner- ship with the Smithsonian Associates recently opened a new chapter with the presentation of “The New Middle East,” a series that took place over four consec- utive Wednesday evenings at AFSA headquarters. All the events were sold out, with more than 100 participants in attendance each week. The series featured four retired Foreign Service speakers, each of whom focused on a particular area of the Middle East and spoke extensively from their expe- rience in the region. On March 15, retired FSO Molly Williamson kicked off the series with a talk on Israel and Palestine and the ongoing conflict between the two. Though both unique and thought-provoking, Wil- liamson’s presentation had tremendous balance and delicacy, providing an excel- lent start for the series. Dr. Elizabeth Shelton speaks about Turkey at the March 22 session of the AFSA and Smithsonian Associates series, “The New Middle East.” AFSA/THEOHORN The March 22 session featured retired Foreign Service Officer Dr. Elizabeth Shelton, who delved into Tur- key, past and present. From the fall of the Ottomans to Turkey’s current struggles with democracy and its place in the world, Dr. Shel- ton painted a fascinating picture of a country that is in the midst of a centuries-long identity crisis. She discussed how the country’s ongoing struggle to define itself is affecting the region now, and how it will do so in the com- ing years. On March 29, Ambas- sador (ret.) John W. Limbert provided his insight on the subject of Iran. The talk centered on the United States’ intricate relationship with Iran. A discussion of the background to the 2016 Iran nuclear deal framework was especially timely, given renewed U.S. tension with Tehran. Amb. Limbert also spoke of his own history with Iran, including his 444 days as a hostage at U.S. Embassy Tehran from 1979 to 1981. At the final event in the series, on April 5, Ambas- sador (ret.) Kenton Keith delivered a talk on one of the most controversial U.S. allies in the region: Saudi Arabia. Amb. Keith also addressed the other Gulf States and their increasing role on the Middle East stage. This summer, AFSA and Smithsonian Associates will once again offer our popular one-day program, “Inside the World of Diplomacy.” Information and tickets for the event are available from the Smithsonian Associates website, www.smithsoni- anassociates.org. Information about future events will be available on the AFSA website at www. afsa.org/upcoming_afsa_ events.aspx. n —Theo Horn, Communications Intern NEWS BRIEF FSO MATTHEW PALMER RETURNS TO AFSA AFSA will once again welcome Foreign Service officer and bestselling author Matthew Palmer to speak at our popular Book Notes series. He will discuss his brand-new thriller, Enemy of the Good , at 12 p.m. on July 13. Email events@afsa.org to register. The book is set in the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan and follows Foreign Service Officer Kate Hollister as she navigates U.S.-Kyrgyz relations. Given a mission by the ambassador, she infiltrates an underground democracy movement; but it soon becomes clear that nothing is as it seems and Kate may need to lay her life on the line for what she knows is right. Matthew Palmer is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, currently serving as the director of the Balkans office in the State Department’s Bureau of European Affairs. n