Summerschool 2008: Day 9

Monday 14. July 10:00 - 18:00
Location: DGAP, Berlin

 

30 participants, 29 nations, 14 days. Students from all over Europe, Asia, the Middle East North America and Africa currently take part in DGAP’s 12th International Summer School “Regional Leaders, Global Challenges: Issues, Interests and Strategies”.
Day 9: Monday, 14 July
After returning from an eventful weekend that included a visit to the Reichstag, an intensive experience of Berlin’s nightlife and a trip to Potsdam, participants of DGAP’s 12th International Summer School heard, discussed and analyzed three lectures from political science researchers and experts. Dr. Gale Mattox, a professor of Political Science at the U.S. Naval Academy, gave a comprehensive review of Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama’s positions on various foreign policy topics, analyzing the ways in which these stances will affect U.S. international relations in the coming years.

Konstantin Eggert, Bureau Editor for the BBC Russian Service in Moscow, presented on Russia’s role in current world affairs, noting Russia’s isolationist policy, continued oversight of its domestic media, and persistent view of the United States as its main competitor as key aspects of Russian foreign and domestic policy. In the afternoon session, Dr. Hüseyin Bağci, researcher and professor at Middle East Technical University, discussed Turkey’s evolving foreign policy and potential future relations with various world regions. He highlighted the importance of the development of Turkey’s soft power, democratic values, and peacekeeping role as key to the nation’s strength as a player in Europe, the Middle East and beyond. The Monday came to a close with a plenary session and a dinner on the terrace of DGAP.

The International Forum on Strategic Thinking is DGAP’s main instrument for the promotion of young professionals and scholars in the area of foreign and security policy. Every summer, a number of carefully selected students and recent graduates are invited to attend its two-week International Summer School.