2021 Dunwoody Great Decisions Virtual Lecture Series: Persian Gulf Security Issues

Presented by the Georgia Council for International Visitors in partnership with the Atlanta Global Studies Center, the annual 2021 Dunwoody Great Decisions Foreign Policy Lecture Series will take place via Zoom every Thursday evening from February 4 – March 25, 2021 at 7:30 PM. The 2021 virtual lecture series is free, but registration is required to receive the event link.

Feb. 11, 2021 Topic: Persian Gulf Security Issues

Lecture by Dr. Lawrence Rubin, Associate Professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Tech. Dr. Rubin is also the Associate Editor of the journal Terrorism and Political Violence. His areas of expertise include the Middle East and the Gulf as well as Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Policy.

The Persian Gulf remains tense as the rivalry between the regional powers of Saudi Arabia and Iran continues. Tensions escalated in early 2020 as the United States began to intervene in the Gulf, launching an airstrike that killed two Iranian military commanders. What are the historical influences that have led to these tensions? What role, if any, should the United States play? Is using military force a viable foreign policy option for 2021 and beyond?

Great Decisions, presented by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA), highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans each year. GCIV is the statewide coordinator for the nonpartisan program. To view the other 2021 topics or learn more about Great Decisions, visit Gciv.org/programs/gd.