| A Message from our Office
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| Message from David Dumke, GPII Executive Director
Ukraine and GPII's Facilitating International Understanding
Last February, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with the intent of subjugating Kiev. Russian President Vladimir Putin envisioned restoring some of the lost luster of the Soviet Union – and Russian Empire before it. He also saw it as a way of testing the resolve of Washington and its NATO allies, particularly in wake of a series of divisive elections in the United States and Europe which suggested a loss of purpose. In Putin’s mind, swallowing Ukraine would spark a patriotic upsurge in Russia itself, while once and for all thwarting Kiev’s longstanding flirtation with NATO. The initial Russian invasion scored successes, particularly in the areas of Eastern Ukraine including the Donbas region, long claimed by Moscow. However, events have not transpired as Russia hoped.
There is little doubt that the chaotic pullout of American troops from Afghanistan influenced Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine. The inglorious end to the 20-year military and country-building engagement seemed to put an explanation point on President Biden’s weakness and Washington’s wavering international commitments. America’s British allies faced considerable political turmoil at home, which included three prime ministers in 2022 alone. Germany had a new and untested leader. The world itself suffered to pull itself out of a COVID-induced economic slump. High energy prices buttressed the Russian economy.
Putin had already successfully invaded and annexed large parts of Donbas and the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, without serious intervention from the West. He had also successfully overseen conflicts in Chechnya and Georgia. He inserted himself into the Syrian conflict, and is credited with saving the embattled Assad regime. He had strengthened Russian relations in Eastern Europe, including with Hungary. And Russian influence expanded – at relatively low cost – in the Middle East and Africa. Finally, in 2019, Ukraine had elected an untested comedian as President of a perennially dysfunctional government which alternated pro-Western and pro-Russian presidents. With a significantly stronger military and far more manpower, one can understand Putin’s cold-blooded calculations.
Much has happened since February 24, 2022. Rather than further split NATO, the invasion gave the alliance a renewed sense of purpose. NATO expanded, as the formerly stalwart neutral nations of Sweden and Finland joined the Brussels-based union. Ukraine’s Vladmir Zelensky became the man of the moment, Time magazine’s Man of the Year. In December, he delivered a Churchill-esque speech to a joint session of Congress. Biden has demonstrated considerable leadership, which some suggest has restored America’s diminished international luster. Most importantly, the Ukrainian people – depicted by Moscow as having divided loyalties and strong historic ties to Russia – rallied to the cause. Its army has pushed Moscow’s forces back at an enormous cost in terms of Russian troops and material.
The war is a long way from over, and predictions of Russian defeat are far too premature. But this is not the cakewalk Putin envisioned. Russia still holds a strong hand, and it would be foolish to depict her as anything but the favorite in a long, drawn-out conflict. Yet wars are not usually won and lost based solely on overall strength and weakness, but on how much one side is willing to pay in order to achieve its goals. Vladimir Putin remains resolute, but there is much evidence to suggest he would opt for a face-saving way out if such as solution could materialize either by limited victory on the battlefield or diplomatic bargaining. Of late he seems intent of destroying Ukrainian infrastructure, weakening Kiev to a point at which is cannot operate effectively as an independent nation. Despite drone, missile and airstrikes, this seems unlikely to break Kiev’s will at least in the foreseeable future.
On April 12, the Office of Global Perspectives & International Initiatives will host a very special guest in retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges. Hodges, a Florida native, is the former commander of U.S. troops in Europe. He has served in a number of positions as an expert on U.S. and European security matters, and has spent much time in the last year talking to policymakers and the media about the Ukrainian conflict, Russian military tactics, and what it all means for Europe and the United States. His visit to Orlando gives our campus and community a unique opportunity to engage with one of the most insightful voices monitoring this critical international challenge – a challenge which has had deep impact on global energy and food prices. Hodges’ visit comes on the heals of other Ukrainian-oriented programs supported by UCF and our partners, including a high-profile visit of the Ukrainian National Ballet last August.
GPII’s job is to help facilitate dialog on important international challenges, including security issues, education, culture, and resources sustainability. As such, we are excited to kick off another year of unique programming which we hope will engage, interest, and educate us all about the global community. Please stay tuned for our upcoming events, and join us when Gen. Hodges comes just a couple months from now
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– David Dumke, Executive Director, UCF Global Perspectives & International Initiatives
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UCF Washington Week
The UCF Office of Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII) is excited to announce its upcoming UCF Washington Week. The purpose is to engage Washington-based decision makers, NGO partners, alumni, and embassies. It also is an opportunity to raise UCF’s profile, strengthen international ties, and establish and strengthen ties to agencies, experts, embassies, alumni, donors, and friends of UCF.
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Washington D.C. Area Alumni and Friends Reception
Tuesday, Jan 24, 2023 from 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Florida House - 1 2nd St. NE., Washington DC 20002
UCF invites D.C. area alumni and friends to gather at the Florida House for a conversation with fellow UCF alumni and friends living and working in the D.C. area. This reception will take place at the Main Level of the Florida House. Registration for the event is required.
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MIGRATION: Policy, Economics, Climate Change, Women & Conflict
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2023 from 10:0AM – 12:00PM
Rayburn House Office Building - 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515
GPII cordially invites you to attend a panel discussion on Migration: Policy, Economics, Climate Change, Women & Conflict at the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday, January 25. The panel consists of experts from Ambassador Roya Rahmani, former Afghan Ambassador; Matthew Rooney, George W Bush Institute;
and Dr. Fernando Rivera, UCF Puerto Rico Research Hub. This panel discussion is moderated by Dr. Yara Asi, UCF College of Community Innovation and Education.
This is a public forum, all are welcome to attend.
Register here
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Hooray for Hollywood: Film Screening and Discussion on Child Trafficking
Friday, Jan 27, 2023 from 10:00AM – 11:00AM
UCF Global Building, Rm 101
UCF's Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery (HTMS) is organizing its first in-person event for Spring 2023, a film screening of Hooray for Hollywood, written and directed by artist activist Raven Kaliana. It is an award-winning film shown from a child’s viewpoint on enduring and escaping child trafficking for sexual exploitation. Raven Kaliana, the film creator and survivor of child trafficking herself will be joining virtually the panel discussion with UCF Associate Professor Betsy Kalin and HTMS’s Senior Fellow Shilpa Finnerty.
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The United States and India: A Strategic Partnership
Thursday, Jan 19, 2023 from 12:00PM – 1: 00PM
UCF Student Union - Garden Key Room (221)
Join the UCF India Center for a lecture by Katherine Hadda, former United States Consul General in Hyderabad, India, who will discuss the relationship between the United States and India as well as India’s role in global and regional affairs. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A with the audience. Lunch will be provided.
The event will be moderated by Dr. Robert Bledsoe, Lecturer and Professor Emeritus in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs.
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GPII's Student Interns Reflect on their Experience
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Chandler Kuiper, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Intern
This semester, I had the great honor and privilege of doing my internship with the Office of Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII). The ability to work and interact with other students was exhilarating, as was the chance to rub shoulders with dedicated faculty and inspiring guests. Particularly dear to my heart was the opportunity to break bread alongside a variety of interesting people at an intercultural conversation hosted by visiting professor Dr. Zeynep Arda. There, we all learned about the common threads that bind all cultures and peoples, from simple, though delicious, sharing bread to stories of migration, identity and transformation. Such lessons are pertinent in an increasingly globalized world, and I look forward to seeing GPII's continuing efforts to promote them around UCF's community.
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Hanna Begun, Terrorism Studies Intern
At GPII, I had the opportunity to attend a dinner that supports Afghan families in need. All proceeds of the dinner went to World Orlando’s Afghan IVLP Alumni Emergency Relief Fund. The dinner was eye-opening for me because I got to first-hand hear the struggles that Afghan families have had to endure. It was great to be a part of something that was contributing to advocacy for Afghans as well as educating the Orlando community. I am also thankful I got to experience this event along with the GPII team and other interns. It was great to connect with them in a different environment. I am grateful for GPII for giving me an opportunity to have such a meaningful learning experience through this event.
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Mohamedameen Osman, MENA and REIGN Intern
Being part of the IEW Opening Reception was a wonderful experience that helped me realize my potential in organizational, communication, and planning skills. Collaborating with my colleague Chandler Kuiper, we helped GPII’s Senior Coordinator, Mrs. Mirvate El Jerdi, through finding performances, conducting invitations, and other aspects of the event.
The opening reception for the IEW was to highlight International Education Week, an initiative jointly supported by the Department of State and Education to bring awareness about international students and their achievements. The opening reception was filled with international students who expressed how UCF helped them progress through their academic and personal journey. There was also a Junkanoo performance sponsored by the Bahamian Consulate General and Bahama Air. It was also a great networking experience as I was able to meet Mr. Shafik Gabr who is the founder of the Shafik Gabr Fellowship, a cultural exchange program of Egyptians and Americans in order to better foster a dialogue between the West and the Middle East.
Having the opportunity to play an active role in such events that promote cultural understanding and international dialogue is invaluable and crucial for my professional and personal growth.
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Why Does it Matter?
Episode 3 - Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Overseas: Why Should the US Care?
In this episode of Why Does it Matter? Dr. Ted Reynolds, the Director of the Terrorism Studies Program for the Global Perspectives Office and a Visiting Lecturer on Intelligence and Terrorism for the Political Science Department at UCF, and his students Alexander Bani, Meghan Howell, Melissa Stroup, and Myli Sangria interview Yousef Bashir, the Director of Research & Operations for the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. The students delved into a personal and candid discussion on the topic of “Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Overseas: Why Should the US Care?”
Why Does it matter? is a monthly virtual question and answer foreign policy focused initiative that provides students the opportunity to engage directly with experts on issues ranging from the role of development assistance to whether the status of women should be a policy priority abroad.
This limited series is hosted by Owen Kirby, GPII’s Non-Resident Fellow, and Mirvate El Jerdi, GPII’s Senior Coordinator and Special Advisor for Middle East and North Africa.
Start watching
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Hakan Ozoglu Book Promotion in Turkey
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Yapı Kredi Culture and Arts Publishing hosted the historian and author Hakan Özoğlu, for a conversation on his latest book titled, The Decline of the Ottoman Empire and The Rise of the Turkish Republic: Observations of an American Diplomat, 1919-1927.
Rear Admiral Mark L. Bristol, who was appointed to Istanbul as the US High Commissioner after World War I, personally witnessed the last period of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Republic. With his reports and recommendations, Bristol also laid the foundations of the US-Turkey strategic partnership that has lasted since the Cold War years. The fact that Bristol kept a diary rather than just reports makes it valuable for researchers. In his book, Özoğlu examines Bristol's official correspondence based on numerous primary documents and paints an alternative picture of Turkey and its transition from an empire to a nation-state.
Hakan Özoğlu is Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and Professor of History at the University of Central Florida. His books and articles have been published in seven languages.
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| Global Perspectives TV Show
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UCF Global Perspectives Hosts Andreas Siegel, Consul General of Germany
David Dumke sits with Consul Siegal to share his knowledge and experience as a career diplomat with a broad range of international involvement in strategic, political, economic, and cultural affairs.
Start Watching
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|  | UCF GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
AND INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
4356 Scorpius Street, Orlando, FL USA 32816
Phone: 407.823.2337 | Fax: 407.823.2526
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