He has been around the world; he has written several books; and according to the Washington Post, he is one of "best in popular foreign policy storytelling." And Wednesday, March 26, Stephen Kinzer will speak at Miami University.
Kinzer will present "Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq" as part of the Grayson Kirk Distinguished Lecture Series at 7 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. The lecture will focus on the United States' international intervention from the mid-1800s through today's conflict in Iraq.
The endowed lecture series is designed to bring persons of note in the field of international studies or foreign relations to Miami's campus each semester to address international events.
Jeanne Hey, director of the international studies program, spearheaded Kinzer's appearance.
According to Hey, the lecture is intended to engage students and other participants in thinking critically about United States and its intervention in foreign nations, not only in current politics but also in the past.
"I have been following (Kinzer's) work for about 20 years now," Hey said. "He is a very prolific, talented and intelligent writer and journalist. I have (wanted) to bring him (to Miami) for some time."
Kinzer has spent more than 20 years with the New York Times and has been its bureau chief for Berlin, Nicaragua and Turkey. Before that, he spent time as the Latin American correspondent for the Boston Globe. Currently, Kinzer is the Charles Moskos Visiting Professor of Military Studies at Northwestern University's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
Hey said that the lecture series is designed to stimulate thought on the many subjects and perspectives that the international studies program has to offer.
Each semester, all international studies students are assigned to read a book by a noteworthy individual. This semester, students read Kinzer's latest book, after which his speech is named.
"(The author appears on campus to make) a public speech and meet with students in international studies classes for meals and question and answer sessions," Hey said.
Most international studies students and staff are expected to attend, however Hey encourages students, faculty and staff outside of the international studies program, as well as people from the community to come.
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"Kinzer is the kind of author who has very broad appeal," Hey said.
Senior Reiner Salta thinks that Kinzer's lecture sounds interesting and applicable to students from a variety of fields of study.
"World politics is an important area to know more about," Salta said.
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