JHU SAIS to Host Forum on Middle East, Central Asia and U.S.

The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will hold a forum, "Central Asia, the Middle East and the United States," on Wednesday, 02/12 at 5:30 p.m. (preceded by a reception at 5 p.m.)

William R. Polk, author and director emeritus of the University of Chicago's Center for Middle Eastern Studies, will be the featured speaker at this W.P. Carey Forum of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) at SAIS.

Polk recently returned from Baghdad, where he met with Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz last week to discuss what the United States can do to stave off war with Iraq. Polk will discuss his meeting with Aziz, provide insight into the attitudes of the Iraqi people to the danger of war, and offer perspective on the implications of war on Central Asia and the United States.

The event, free and open to the public, will be held in the first-floor auditorium of the school's Rome Building, located at 1619 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Members of the public should RSVP to 202.663.7721 or [email protected].

Members of the media who want to cover this event should contact Felisa Neuringer Klubes in the SAIS Public Affairs Office at 202.663.5626 or [email protected].