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Intellect

"The Baltic Challenge" features Latvian and Lithuanian ambassadors Dec. 2 at BYU

The Baltic States’ strategic relationship with Europe is the focus of "The Baltic Challenge," a seminar with His Excellency Vygaudas Ušackas, Lithuanian ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Maris Riekstins, Latvian ambassador to the United States, and Judith Kelley, an assistant professor of political science at Duke University Friday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. in 238 Herald R. Clark Building on the Brigham Young University campus.

“Failure to address the Baltics, what Carl Bildt, Sweden's former prime minister, described as a ‘litmus test’ for relations between Russia and the West, could have far-reaching implications for other countries, such as Belarus, as well as future geopolitical, security and economic arrangements,” said Cory Leonard, assistant director for the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies.

The seminar and discussion are open to the public.

Educators and students are invited to learn about this unique and important part of the world from academic and diplomatic experts and gain understanding about an exciting dimension in U.S./European/Russian international relations and Baltic domestic politics.

Selected readings on the subject are available from BYU's Center for the Study of Europe by contacting Jay Stirling at (801) 422-3040 or jstir14@gmail.com.

This event is sponsored by the Kennedy Center and BYU’s Center for the Study of Europe in conjunction with the International Vice President's Office at BYU.

Writer: Lee Simons

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