KU News Release

Dole Institute links Lawrence to Baghdad for ‘Iraq: What Next?’

LAWRENCE — As the war in Iraq enters its sixth year and President Obama promises to end combat operations there by 2010, the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will host a two-part video teleconference titled “Iraq: What Next?” on Sunday, April 5.

At 8 a.m., students from Baghdad University in Iraq, KU, Northwest Missouri State University, Kansas State University and Wichita State University will participate in a live conversation about issues that concern young people on a global level, particularly the difficulty of obtaining an education in a war zone. The discussion will be moderated by Jonathan Earle, associate director of the Dole Institute.

The second part of the program begins at 1 p.m. and features senior military and Iraqi officials in conversation with Kansas politicians.

“As the new administration’s focus switches to the unfinished war in Afghanistan, the conflict in Iraq still persists and is of great concern to many Americans,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute. “This program is an opportunity to ask questions in live-time to officials in Iraq who know what is going on currently and where the situation may be headed.”

Panelists joining the event from Baghdad:

— Maj. Gen. David Perkins, director of strategic effects for U.S. forces in Iraq
— Ali al-Dabbaugh, spokesman for Iraqi government
— Adam Ereli, U.S. ambassador to Iraq
— Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, military spokesman for Iraqi government

The afternoon discussion will be moderated by Lacy.

Both sessions are free and open to the public and will include time for questions from the public. They will be held in the Simons Media Room at the Dole Institute.

The program is co-sponsored by KU’s William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth.

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