Selected Events 2006

Consul General Mark Scheland (Left); Dr. Markus Lang, University of Jena

July 20, 2006
Consul General Mark Scheland was guest speaker in the July 20, semester-ending meeting of a seminar on “Neoconservatism” conducted in the political science department of Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena. Scheland focused his talk on how ideological inclinations are but one of several influences on a policy-maker or legislator at work in any democracy. He also drew contrasts between the German and U.S. political systems, and took questions from the students on a variety of issues, including the U.S.-German bilateral relationship, U.S. motivation for military intervention in Iraq in 2003, and the current crisis involving Israel, South Lebanon, Syria and Iran. The students and their professor expressed appreciation for Scheland’s appearance at the university and for his willingness to hold a frank discussion on, among other topics, what drives U.S. foreign policy.