The ForaU n i t e d S t a t e s N a v a l A c a d e m y ’ s

C e n t e r f o r R e g i o n a l S t u d i e s

Inside this IssueBilden 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

The 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.

The 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.

A 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 South-East Asia.

Academic 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.

Dr. Haili KongSwarthmore College“Beijing City of Walls.”September 17,2014

Dr. Minglang ZhouUniversity of Maryland“Minority Policy in Northwest Asia.”October 29,2014

Bilden Asia Pacific ForumThe 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. Victor MairUniversity of Pennsylvania“The Impact of the Internet on Chinese Language and Studies.”November 12, 2014

Mr. Kevin IchikawaCentral Japan Railway“Superconducting Maglev Deployment Project in Japan and the United States.”November 4,2014

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 ForumAfrica 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 EmersonIndependent Researcher“The Stuggle Continued: Mozambique at War, 1976-1992.”October 6,2015

Mr. Ronald HawkinsDepartment of State, PAO“Combating Violent Extremist Groups through Public Diplomacy.”October 8,2015

Dr. Rebecca ShumwayGeorgetown University“African Captives as Commodities: Africa and the Slave Trade.” October 22, 2015

Dr. Douglas JohnsonOxford University“South Sudan: Legacies of War.”March 12, 2015

Eurasia ForumEurasia 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 DeWaalCarnegie Endowment for International Peace“The Caucasus: Security and Insecurity at the Crossroads of Eurasia.”October 31, 2014

Dr. John PettiferOxford University“South East Europe, A Generation after the Cold War-- Realism or Optimism?”November 6, 2014

Dr. Laurie RushUnited States Army“Monuments Officers, Lessons Learned for the 21st Century Military.”January 27, 2015

Dr. Andrew NovoNational Defense University“NATO Beyond Banalities: Past, Present, Future.”

Forum for Latin American StudiesForum 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.

To 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 SalasPomona College“Beyond Chavez: Navigating Contemporary Venezuelan Politics.”August 27,2014

Dr. Edith Grossman“Cervantes, Faulkner and Marquez: Four Centuries of Literary Tradition.”November 19,2014

Dr. Marixa LassoCase University“Tropical Politics of Depopulation at the Panama Canal Zone: 1904-1916.”January 14, 2015

Dr. Jean-Marie SimonJournalist“Guatamala’s War: Historical Memory and Historical Accuracy.”April 10, 2015

Middle East ForumThe 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 FordFormer U.S. Ambassador to SyriaJohns Hopkins University“The New Old War in the Levant.”October 14, 2014

Dr. Azfar MoinThe University of Texas, Austin“The Caliph Versus the Saint: Sovereignty in Islam in Early Modern Times.”February 12,2015

MG Giora RommIsraeli AirforceSolitary: The Crash, Captivity and Comeback of an Ace Fighter PilotJanuary 20,2015

Dr. Vali NasrDean, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins“Opportunities and Uncertainties in the Middle East.”April 5, 2015

Dr. Paul Pillar“The Iran Negotiations: Stakes, Motivations, and Agendas.”April 16,2015

Dr. Robert RubensteinSyracuse University“Medical Anthropology in a Middle East Context.”October 2, 2014

Mid Atlantic Council on Latin American Studies Conference April 17-18, Ithaca College, NY

USNA 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.

Assoc. 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.

Assoc. 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.

Although 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.

During 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.

Students 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.

Mentorship