7th Annual Central & Southwest Asia Conference, April 22-24, 2009

Beyond the Headlines: Peace and Conflict in Central and Southwest Asia

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

7:00-9:00 PM ISLAM IN THE NEW AFGHAN PUBLIC SPHERE, UNIVERSITY CENTER, NORTH BALLROOM
Presenter: Nushin Arbabzadah, Author, the International Institute, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

9:30-11:00 AM TAJIKISTAN: AN ANCIENT NATION IN TRANSITION, UNIVERSITY CENTER, NORTH BALLROOM
Chair and Discussant: Dr. Ardi Kia, Associate Director, Central and Southwest Asia Program, The University of Montana
Presenters: Hojamurod Hojaev, Shohina Touraeva, Mavzuna Touraeva, Rakhshonak Zaripova, Sharifkhuja Amirov, and Umed Partov

12:30-2:00 PM INDEPENDENCE, CIVIL WAR, AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION: TAJIKISTAN’S PATH TO PEACE, UNIVERSITY CENTER, NORTH BALLROOM
Chair and Discussant: Dr. Mehrdad Kia, Associate Provost for International Programs and Director, Central and Southwest Asia Program, The University of Montana
Presenter: His Excellency Abdujabbor Shirinov, Ambassador of Tajikistan to the United States

2:30-4:00 PM ON THE FRONTLINE: AFGHANISTAN AND THE STRUGGLE AGAINST TERRORISM, UNIVERSITY CENTER, NORTH BALLROOM
Chair and Discussant: Dr. Ardi Kia, Associate Director, Central and Southwest Asia Program, The University of Montana
Presenters: Helay Rahimi, Shakib Rajaieean, Mohammed Arif Nairam, and Abdul Saboor Jawal.

7:00-9:00 PM TERRORISM, COUNTER-TERRORISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, UNIVERSITY CENTER, NORTH BALLROOM
Moderator: Ian Marquand, Journalist
Panelists: Dr. Amos Guiora, University of Utah and a Former Legal Advisor to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for Gaza;and Dr. Shukri Abed, Chairman, Department of Languages and Regional Studies, Middle East Institute, Washington D.C.
Discussants: Dr. Noureddine Jebnoun, Faculty Associate, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at The University of Montana, and Owen Sirrs, Faculty Associate, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at The University of Montana

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

10:30 AM-NOON KYRGYZSTAN AND THE NEW GREAT GAME, UNIVERSITY CENTER THEATER
Chair and Discussant: Jeff Renz, Professor of Law, The University of Montana
Presenters: Baktygoul Koubanytchbekova, Human Rights Advocate, Columbia University; Aimona Tashieva, Visiting Scholar, The University of Montana, Galen McAllister

1:00-3:00 PM THE ROLE OF ARABIC AS A LANGUAGE OF WAR AND PEACE, UNIVERSITY CENTER THEATER
Chairs and Presenters: Samir Bitar, Lecturer, Arabic Language and Literature, Central and Southwest Asia Program and Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Literatures; and Dr. Khaled Huthaily, Assistant Professor of Arabic Language and Linguistics, Central and Southwest Asia Program & Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Literatures, The University of Montana
Presenters: Dr. Shukri Abed, Chairman, Department of Languages and Regional Studies, Middle East Institute, Washington D.C., and Dr. Mahdi Alosh, Professor and Associate Dean for International Affairs, United States Military Academy.

2:00 PM    TAJIK CORNER OPENING CEREMONY, UNIVERSITY CENTER 220
A collection of handicrafts and artifacts will be on display at this art exhibit.  The event will open with a cultural performance of traditional Tajik dance.

3:30-5:00 PM CONFRONTATION IN THE CAUCASUS: THE CONFLICT BETWEEN GEORGIA AND RUSSIA, UNIVERSITY CENTER THEATER
Chair and Discussant: Dr. Robert Greene, Department of History, The University of Montana
Presenters: Baktygoul Koubantchkebova, Human Rights Advocate, Columbia University; Milena Oganesyan, Visiting Scholar, The University of Montana; and Tamila Meladze, Visiting Scholar, The University of Montana.

7:00-9:00 PM ISLAMIST MOVEMENTS IN THE ARAB WORLD, IRAN, AND AFGHANISTAN AND THE POTENTIAL FOR U.S. ENGAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY CENTER THEATER
Chair and Discussant: Dr. Mehrdad Kia, Associate Provost for International Programs and Director, Central and Southwest Asia Program, The University of Montana
Presenters: Dr. Noureddine Jebnoun, Faculty Associate, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at The University of Montana; and Owen Sirrs, Faculty Associate, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at The University of Montana

Sponsors: Humanities Montana, International Programs, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, World Affairs Council of Montana, and the Central and Southwest Asia Program at The University of Montana.

All sessions are free and open to the public.