A capacity crowd of students and faculty enjoyed an intimate conversation with veteran journalist, Russia scholar and author Marvin Kalb on Feb. 23 at the Museum Auditorium on the Tarpon Springs campus. Kalb, in town to speak at the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions’ Dinner Series program that evening, said he especially enjoyed this exchange with students, arranged by Dr. Joseph Smiley, Dean of Social and Behavioral Science.

Kalb, who is professor emeritus at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University and a guest scholar at the Brookings Institution, spoke in detail about the threats to global peace posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2014 takeover of Crimea and military incursions into eastern Ukraine. Kalb made frequent references to material in his new book, Imperial Gamble: Putin, Ukraine and the New Cold War, which provides a comprehensive review of Russian history, culture and politics as far back as the conquest of much of Central Asia by Mongols in the 11th century.

Speaking directly to students, Kalb encouraged them not to simply accept everything they hear as fact but to critically analyze it and think for themselves – especially in following the presidential primary campaigns. Challenge your instructors, he urged. Ask them to defend their academic assertions, and do your own research so you can engage with them in class discussions.

The audience responded with a standing ovation at the conclusion of the program.

For more on Marvin Kalb’s Dinner Series presentation, click HERE.

David Klement
Executive Director
Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions
St. Petersburg College