This event occurred Thursday, Aug. 26.
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host a virtual panel on the crisis in Afghanistan, a timely and exclusive discussion featuring Vanderbilt University faculty historians and foreign policy experts and Lt. Gen. Scott A. Howell, USAF, Ret., former commander of U.S. Joint Special Operations Command.
The panel will address the historical context of America’s role in Afghanistan, the recent fall of the Afghan government and Taliban takeover, the perspective of the U.S. troops on the ground, the impact of the conflict on the U.S. government’s credibility, implications for China and Russia, and the crisis of humanity facing thousands of Afghan refugees.
The event on Thursday, Aug. 26, begins at noon CT. The virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
With an introduction from Diermeier, the virtual panel features:
- Samar Ali, Vanderbilt research professor of law and political science, Muslim-American expert in international conflict resolution and co-chair of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy
- Lt. Gen. Scott A. Howell, USAF, Retired, the 15th commander of Joint Special Operations Command and vice commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command
- Michael Newton, Vanderbilt professor of law and professor of political science and expert on terrorism, accountability, transnational justice and conduct of hostilities issues
- Tom Schwartz , distinguished professor of history, professor of political science and European studies and historian with expertise on foreign policy and American politics
About the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy is a nonpartisan initiative that aims to elevate research and evidence-based reasoning into the national conversation. Drawing on original research, evidence-based papers and crucial conversations from Vanderbilt’s world-class faculty and visionary thought leaders of all political persuasion, the timely endeavor aims to give policymakers and the public the tools needed to combat conspiracy and unfounded ideology with evidence, data and respectful discourse. The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy can make a meaningful contribution to solving society’s most pressing challenges and bridging our deepest differences.
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