It has been two years since the war in Ukraine began. Via Zoom, Professor Michael Strmiska will discuss the following.

• The ups and downs of the war to this point, from both the Ukrainian and Russian viewpoints.
• The human cost of the war--the death toll on both sides, Russia's kidnapping of Ukrainian children
• The mixed record of the sanctions imposed on Russia
• The success of Russia in forming links with China, Iran, North Korea and the "Global South"
• The rallying of Western nations under President Biden's leadership
• Ukraine's impressive military successes, including rapid technological adaptation
• The anxiety of the Baltic States and Poland about what a Russian victory might mean for them
• Peace at any price? Should Ukraine keep fighting or let Russia have half of their country?
• Worst case scenario if the US turns away--tyranny triumphant
• Why Ukraine matters: why Americans should care

Michael Strmiska teaches World History and Asian History at SUNY-Orange (Orange County Community College) in Middletown, New York, and is currently teaching a class on Russian and Eastern European History. He earned his PhD in Religious Studies at Boston University, and has been awarded two Fulbright Fellowships for teaching at universities in Lithuania and Latvia, as well as the 2017 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activities. He visited Lithuania in January of this year and had many discussions with colleagues about the situation in Ukraine. He is working on a book discussing the important contributions made by the Pagan, Jewish, Mulsims and Gypsy communities and religious traditions to the societies of Eastern Europe.