Roundtable Discussion of Russia's War on Terror

On Monday, November 16, Dr. Michael Slobodchikoff and Dr. Tomasz Pudlocki led a roundtable discussion on Russia’s War on Terror, as part of the History and Political Science Speaker Series.  The event was well attended, as Drs. Slobodchikoff and Pudlocki spoke to over 100 people in the audience. 

Dr. Slobodchikoff spoke about Syria’s civil war and how ISIL factors into the problems in Syria, as it is the major opposition faction in Syria.  He also spoke about Russia’s interests in Syria as well as the surrounding Middle Eastern region.  These interests include preventing extremism and terrorism from spreading to Russia, protecting long-time allies, protecting military bases, protecting business interests, among many others. 

Dr. Slobodchikoff also spoke about recent terrorist activity.  Russian Flight 9268 crashed en route to St. Petersburg, Russia from Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.  ISIL took credit for the crash, which Russia responded to by cancelling all flights to and from Egypt.  He also spoke about the recent attacks on Paris, France.  ISIL has also claimed credit for the bombings and death of over 100 people in these attacks. 

Dr. Pudlocki spoke about the Syrian crisis from the perspective of Central Europe.  He discussed the current refugee crisis as a result of the Syrian civil war, economic downturn, and terrorist activity.  He commented on how central Europe has been responding to the influx of refugees and the struggles faced by these refugees fleeing terror in their home countries. 

The Department of History and Political Science would like to thank Dr. Slobodchikoff and Dr. Pudlocki for an engaging roundtable on this very relevant topic.  We also thank the Division of Arts and Sciences for co-sponsoring the event.  

For more information on this roundtable discussion, you can see press coverage of the event at the links provided below.  The History and Political Science Department was happy to see some of our students featured in the reports!  

WKBW (Channel 7 News)

WBFO (Buffalo's NPR News Station)

Russia's War on Terror

The faculty of the History and Political Science Department invite you to attend a Roundtable Discussion focused on Russia's War on Terror.  

Students from Ingushetia Visit Daemen College

On September 10, a group of students from Ingushetia, Russia visited Daemen College. The visit is the result of a developing relationship between the Department of History & Political Science and the World Life Institute's Project Life War Orphans Rehabilitation Program. For more information on Project Life, click here: http://www.projectlife-wli.org/

Dena Adler and Linda Redfield Shakoor

Over the past year, Dena Adler and Linda Redfield Shakoor (World Life Institute's Program Director) have worked with Dr. Andrew Wise and Dr. Joseph Sankoh of the History & Political Science Department and Dr. Shirley Peterson (Dean of the Division of Arts & Sciences) to develop cultural exchanges and Service Learning opportunities for Daemen students.

The lecture by students from Ingushetia, Russia is the result of these discussions. Dali Kushtova, Liuba Ozieva, and Khava Gorchkhanova provided a fascinating lecture to students in Dr. Wise's HST/IND 345 Introduction to Russian Culture class. They also answered questions about the history and culture of their home region (Ingushetia is a republic located in the Northern Caucasus and is part of the Russian Republic), and their experiences while visiting the US for the first time.

L-R: Dali Kushtova, Liuba Ozieva, & Khava Gorchkhanova

Dr. Wise assisting Liuba Ozieva before the guest lecture

Audience attending guest lecture

After the lecture, Daemen students, faculty, and guests enjoyed a reception at Rosary Hall.

Dr. Shirley Peterson presenting gifts to visiting students

Rosary Hall Reception

Our guests from Ingushetia return home next week. As a result of this visit, plans are underway for continued contact and dialogue between Daemen students, especially members of the History & Government Club and English Club, and students in Ingushetia. This will initially focus on discussions about the history and culture of Ingushetia, including the works of Idris Bazorkin (1910-1991), who is widely regarded as the founder of modern Ingush literature. Bazorkin's "Ages of Darkness" was recommended by the students from Ingushetia, and an excerpt from his "Evening Prayers" was already included on the reading list for Dr. Wise's course.

Anyone interested in opportunities related to these cultural exchanges should contact Dr. Andrew Wise at awise@daemen.edu.

Anyone interested in Service Learning opportunities related to the Project Life War Orphans Rehabilitation Program should contact Dr. Joseph Sankoh at jsankoh@daemen.edu.