June 15, 2015

Anne Derse, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania 2009 – 2012 and to Azerbaijan 2006 – 2009

It’s been 25 years since the breakup of the Soviet Union and the reemergence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as independent countries recognized as such by their neighbors including the Russian Federation. In 2004 the three Baltic republics joined the European Union and NATO for economic and security reasons. There have never been permanently based NATO forces on Baltic soil although NATO troops have been holding military exercises there as a result of Russia’s invasion of Crimea, its continuing military activities in Eastern Ukraine and particularly its threats against the countries that rim Russia’s northwest border. What are the Kremlin’s intentions?

What kind of relationships can its neighbors expect to have? Can a Europe that includes Russia ever become “whole and free” or has the equation changed so radically since 2014 that this post Cold War vision is no longer possible? This talk is a follow-on to Dr. Iivonen’s March 9 presentation “Finland and Russia’s Changing Policies.”

Note: Ambassador Derse will also be speaking on the legacy of the Holocaust in Lithuania at Temple Beth Shalom on Sunday, June 14 at 2 pm. For more information please contact Judy Weinstein at 505-348-4471.

The Speakers

Anne DerseU.S. Ambassador to Lithuania 2009 – 2012 and to Azerbaijan 2006 – 2009
Anne Derse served over thirty years as a career US Foreign Service Officer in Europe, the Former Soviet Union and East Asia with a specialty in international economics. Since retiring from the State Department in 2012, she has supported Exchanges for Culture, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) High School Exchange Program which she established in Lithuania. She is a member of the board of directors of the American Councils for International Education (ACIE) and the American Academy of Diplomacy (AAD). She travels frequently to Lithuania.

Where

St. John’s College, Junior Commons Room. On Monday, June 15, 2015, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

Sold Out

RSVP by June 11

Parking

The Visitors Parking Lot is on your left as you enter campus. A few handicapped parking spaces are located at the Visitor’s Circle right in front of the fishpond area and below the Peterson Student Center. A few more are located behind the Peterson Center as follows. Just before the Visitor’s Circle, look for the fork in the road where you would normally drive to the left to get to the Visitors’ Parking Circle just below the Peterson Center. Instead, turn right and follow the drive up to the other parking area. There are two or three handicapped parking spaces on the left. Please note that this parking lot is not open to the public, but handicapped folks are allowed to park in the designated spaces.