Mershon Center for International Security Studies
October 17 , 2016
In This Issue
In the Media
Paul Beck
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Social and Behavioral Sciences

"Has Ohio lost its status in election?"
Columbus Dispatch
October 12, 2016
John Mueller
Woody Hayes Senior Research Scientist

"U.S. military operations are biggest motivation for homegrown terrorists, study finds"
The Intercept
October 11, 2016
About Mershon Memo
Mershon Memo is a weekly e-mail newsletter distributed by the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, a unit of the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University.
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Mershon Events
Monday, October 17, 2016

Robert Ross
3:30 p.m., 120 Mershon Center, 1501 Neil Ave.

Robert Ross Robert S. Ross is professor of political science at Boston College, associate at the John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University, and senior advisor of the Security Studies Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research focuses on Chinese security policy, East Asian security, and U.S.-China relations. His recent publications include Chinese Security Policy: Structure, Power, and Politics; China's Ascent: Power, Security, and the Future of International Politics, and New Directions in the Study of Chinese Foreign Policy. In this talk, Ross will discuss how heightened pressure for the United States and China to expand their alliance commitments is undermining prospects for mutual restraint. Read more and register at go.osu.edu/rossr
Monday, October 24, 2016

Ibrahim Sirkeci
1 p.m., 120 Mershon Center, 1501 Neil Ave.
Co-sponsored by Department of Anthropology and Institute for Population Research 

Ibrahim Sirkeci Ibrahim Sirkeci is Ria Professor of Transnational Studies and Marketing and director of the Center for Transnational Studies at Regent's University London. Sirkeci is known for his extensive work on insecurity and human mobility as well as his conceptual work on culture of migration and conflict model. He coined the term "transnational mobile consumers" as he examined connected consumers and the role of mobility in consumer behavior within a transnational marketing context. His recent books include Turkish Migration Policy (2016), Conflict, Security and Mobility (2016), Transnational Marketing and Transnational Consumers (2013), Migration and Remittances during the Global Financial Crisis and Beyond (2012), and Cultures of Migration (2011). He is a frequent speaker on migration, conflict, and integration. Read more and register at go.osu.edu/sirkecii
Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Mahbuba Nasreen and Md Mizanur Rahman
3:30 p.m., E100 Smith Laboratory, 201 W. 19th Ave.

Mahbuba NasreenBangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Some impacts have already been observed: irregular monsoon and very little rainfall in dry period; increased frequency, intensity and recurrence of cyclones; crop damage due to floods; crop failure due to drought; and salinity intrusion along the coast. The most alarming prediction is that more than 25 million people will become climate refugees and food insecure only due to sea level rise. In this event, Mahbuba Nasreen (left), professor of sociology at University of Dhaka, and Mizanur Rahman, project director of Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 Formulation Project for the Ministry of Planning, will discuss climate change resilience and adaptation in Bangladesh. Read more and register at go.osu.edu/bangladesh
Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The Hon. Patrick J. Murphy
2:30 p.m., Suzanne M. Scharer Room, Third Floor, Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

Patrick J. MurphyThe U.S. Army's obligation to the nation is to provide a ready, trained, manned, and equipped force to protect the homeland, fight terrorism, and upon call implement U.S. national security policy. Building and sustaining an Army, globally dispersed and ready, requires innovation, partnership, and commitment to its force. Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy and Zach Mears, assistant vice president for national security programs and research at The Ohio State University, will address how the Army is transforming its business practices, engaging in private-public partnerships, and taking care of its workforce, both active and veteran, in order to attract and develop leaders of character for a lifetime of service. Read more and register at go.osu.edu/murphyp
Monday, October 27-28, 2016

Conference
Thursday: Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Dr.
Friday: Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road
Co-sponsored by Department of History and Society for Military History 

Sir Hew Strachan The Department of History, with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, will host a symposium marking the 100th anniversary of the war. The event will include a keynote address Thursday evening by Sir Hew Strachan (left), the world's leading historian of the First World War. Strachan will discuss the killing fields of 1916, the year that witnessed horrendous fighting at Verdun and on the Somme. Friday's events feature experts addressing the military history of the war, the financing of the combatants, the human toll of the conflict, changes the war wrought to the law of war and the medical condition diagnosed at the time as "shell shock." In addition, Ohio State students in theatre and the arts will recite selections of World War I poetry and perhaps even share a period song. Read more and register at the event website
Mershon News
Mershon, History Department host World War I centennial conference

The Department of History, in partnership with the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission, will host a symposium marking the 100th anniversary of the war. "The War to End All Wars: U.S. National World War I Centennial Symposium, 1916-2016" will be presented on the Ohio State campus on Thursday, October 27, and Friday, October 28. Most events are free and open to all.

Sir Hew Strachan The event will include a keynote address Thursday evening by Sir Hew Strachan (right), the world's leading historian of the First World War. Strachan will discuss the killing fields of 1916, the year that witnessed horrendous fighting at Verdun and on the Somme.

Ohio State was chosen by the commission to host the event "because of the strength of our military history program, which is among the best if not the best in the United States," explained Peter Mansoor, colonel, U.S. Army (retired), who is the Gen. Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair of Military History. "The symposium is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our program to the local community and through webcasting to the general public and school audiences."

Read more and register at the event website.
Other Events
Tuesday, October 18, 2016

CHINA Town Hall
"Local Connections, National Reflections"

6 p.m., 120 Mershon Center, 1501 Neil Ave.
Sponsored by Institute for Chinese Studies

Jonathan Pollack China's rapid emergence as a global player and potential partner on many U.S. policy priorities has ensured that the Sino-American relationship will have a direct impact on the lives of nearly everyone in both countries. To help Americans better understand the complex U.S.-China relationship, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations is conducting the tenth annual CHINA Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections. The program at The Ohio State University begins with a lecture by Jonathan Pollack (left) of the Brookings Institution, whose latest book is   No Exit: North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, and International Security  (Routledge, 2011). Then a live webcast discussion will feature former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, moderated by National Committee President Stephen Orlins. Kissinger will be answering questions about the U.S.-China relationship submitted online and through social media.  Read more
Thursday, October 20, 2016

Youjin Oh and Vanna Chan
"U.S.-South Korea: Economic and Political Relations"

11:30 a.m., Ross Auditorium, Franklin University, 201 S. Grant Ave.
Sponsored by Columbus Council on World Affairs

Vanna Chan In 2013, the United States and South Korea celebrated 60 years of allegiance. The relationship between the two nations is based on common values and interests of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In 2012, the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement was signed, with the goal of increasing exports by billions of dollars annually for both countries, in addition to creating new jobs. In recent years, the alliance has expanded into a comprehensive global partnership. South Korea is now the sixth-largest goods trading partner with the United States. Join us as we hear from two experts in Korean foreign policy and international relations. Vanna Chan (left) is the South Korea desk officer at the U.S. Department of State where she covers inter-Korean relations, Korean politics, human rights, and consular issues. Youjin Oh joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2007 and was appointed as Second Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in 2015. Read more and register
Thursday, October 20, 2016

"A Change Election: Perspectives on the 2016 Contests"
6:30 p.m., Saxbe Auditorium, Moritz College of Law, 55 W. 12th Ave.
Sponsored by Democracy Studies Program

Ohio State history, legal and political science scholars and election experts discuss issues and candidates that make up one of the most talked about campaign seasons. Panelists include:
  • Paula Baker, associate professor of history. The author of Curbing Campaign Cash, Baker is at work on a study of campaign finance and party organization.
  • Paul Beck, professor emeritus of political science. The author of Party Politics in America and Voting in Old and New Democracies, Beck is a commentator on political parties, voting behavior and public opinion.
  • David Stebenne, professor of history and law. The author of Arthur J. Goldberg: New Deal Liberal and Modern Republican: Arthur Larson and the Eisenhower Years, Stebenne is a regular contributor to The Conversation, Huffington Post, New Republic, Salon and U.S. News and World Report.
  • Thomas Wood, assistant professor of political science and presidential campaign consultant in both the 2012 and 2016 contests. Wood studies political campaigns, and their effects on voters' attitudes and behavior.
Read more and register by October 13.
Other News
Seeking volunteers for Thanksgiving Dinner 2016

The Ohio State University will host one of the largest Thanksgiving Day dinners on a college campus on Thursday, November 24, in the Archie Griffin Ballroom at the Ohio Union. The annual event estimates 1,600 guests will attend, including the students, faculty and staff, along with their families, who are unable to travel home for the holiday. Joining them will be many volunteers throughout the university community to assist in serving the traditional turkey dinner on actual Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers are needed for two shifts from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. The deadline to register is Monday, November 2. Read more and register
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