Wednesday, April 18 – Friday, April 20, 2018

University of Montana
All Events Will Be Held at University Center Theater

Sponsored by:

Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center at the University of Montana, Shanghai International Studies University, Defense Critical Language and Culture Program, University of Montana, Department of History, University of Montana, Montana World Affairs Council

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

10:30 am - 12:00 pm (Noon)

Lecture Presentation: Identity, Religion & Nationalism in Medieval Europe: The Invention of the "Negative Muslim Other" in the 11th Century Chanson de Roland

Presenter: Dr. Michel Valentin, Research Scholar at Existential Psychoanalytic Institute & Society (EPIS)

12:00 pm (Noon) - 1:30 pm

Outstanding Students Panel Presentation

Chair & Discussant: Dr. Ardi Kia, Co-Director, Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center, University of Montana
Presenters: Kelsie Murphy, Chris Hanson, Carson Blake

1:30 - 2:30 pm

Lecture Presentation: The Centrality of Central Asia

Presenter: Dr. Ardi Kia, Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center, University of Montana

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Shanghai International Studies University Panel Presentation

Chair: Dr. Zhen Cao, Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures, University of Montana

Presentation: The Political Development of the Syrian Kurds in the Syrian Civil War

Presenter: Professor WANG Bo, Professor of Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University

Presentation: The Syrian Refugee Crisis and the Refugee Politics in the Middle East

Presenter: Professor YU Zhen, Executive Director of the Persian Gulf Center, Xiangtan University

Presentation: Social Diversity and Its Impact on Political Stability in Post-Islamic Revolution Iran

Presenter: Professor HAN Jianwei, Executive Director of the Iranian Studies Program, Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University

Presentation: The Real Challenges of Egyptian Party Politics: A Perspective on 2018 Presidential Election

Presenter: Professor ZHAO Jun, Executive Director of North African Studies Program, Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University

7:00 - 8:30 pm

Keynote Presentation

Welcoming Remarks: President Seth Bodnar, University of Montana
Chair: Robert Seidenschwarz, Montana World Affairs Council
Presentation: Israel at 70: Great Achievements While Facing Regional Challenges, An Israeli Perspective
Presenter: Ravit Baer, Deputy Consul General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest

Thursday, April 19, 2018

1:00 – 2:00 pm

Lecture Presentation

Chair: Dr. Michael Mayer, Department of History, University of Montana

Presentation: Handmaiden of the State? The Russian Orthodox Church in Putin's Russia

Presenter: Dr. Robert Greene, Chair, Department of History, University of Montana

2:15 – 4:30 pm

Shanghai International Studies University Panel Presentation

Chair: Dr. Zhen Cao, Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures, University of Montana

Presentation: Evolution of the Situation in Middle East and Exploring the Major Power Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics

Presenter: YU Jianhua, Deputy director of Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences

Presentation: The Persian Gulf State’s Foreign Aid and Its Religious Factors

Presenter: LI Yi, Professor and Director of Arab World Studies Office of Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University

Presentation: China's Soft Balancing Strategy Against the US in the Middle East

Presenter: YAO Quan, Ph.D. Candidate at Middle East Studies Institute, Shanghai International Studies University

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Keynote Presentation: The Syrian Conflict: An Emerging New Regional Order and Challenges It Presents for the Current US Administration

Presenter: Dr. Amr Al-Azm, Professor of Middle East History and Anthropology, Shawnee State University

Friday, April 20, 2018

1:00 – 2:30 pm

Panel Presentation: Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in Trump’s Foreign Policy Agenda

Chair & Discussant: Robert Seidenschwarz, Montana World Affairs Council
Presenter: Owen Sirrs, Professor, Culture and Regional Studies, Defense Critical Language and Culture Program, University of Montana
Presenter: Dr. Michael Mayer, Department of History, University of Montana
Presenter: Dr. Mehrdad Kia, Central & Southwest Asian Studies Center

2:30 - 4:00 pm

Lecture Presentation: What Part Do You Play: America, Imperialism & Cybernetics

Presenter: Curtis Schiwal, Student Scholar, University of Montana