IAP 2015 Activities by Sponsor : Center for International Studies

Contemporary Military Topics (series)

Joli Saraf

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Contemporary Military Topics (series of five sessions)

Sponsor(s): Center for International Studies, MIT Security Studies Program
Contact: Joli Divon Saraf, x8-7608, joli@mit.edu

Inside the White House Situation Room

	Jan/15	Thu	10:30AM-12:00PM	E40-496, Lucian Pye Conf Rm

Unclassified discussion of the White House Situation Room focusing on evolution of the WHSR in its mission of giving direct, daily support to the President & National Security Staff. Topics include Origins of the WHSR in the Kennedy administration, Evolution of mission & support to the President in national security decision-making, and Overview of WHSR capabilities, personnel, facilities & technology.

Glenn Voelz, US Army

The Evolution of Aerial Bombing

	Jan/21	Wed	10:30AM-12:00PM	E40-496, Lucian Pye Conference Rm

The Evolution of Aerial Bombing (or How to Drop a Better Bomb in 90 Minutes or Less)

A seminar on the evolution of bombing methods in military aviation, focusing on the technological advancements from manual to computed bombing and the improvement of munitions from 'dumb' to 'smart' weapons. Topics include the Iron Sight, the Bombing Triangle, General Purpose munitions, and GPS weapons.

Stephane Wolfgeher, USAF

Lessons Learned in Leadership

	Jan/22	Thu	10:30AM-12:00PM	E40-496, Lucian Pye Conference Room

A military perspective on lessons learned in leadership and character for scientists, engineers, and introverts in general. Seminar discussion will cover the challenges and best practices of operating in the "human domain," the art of providing candid feedback, techniques for mentoring others, and the role character plays in building great teams.

John Henderson, US Army

US Theater Security Cooperation/E. Asia

	Jan/28	Wed	02:00PM-03:30PM	E40-496, Lucian Pye Conference Room

As the US is withdrawing forces from the Middle East it is increasing its troop strength in the Pacific Command Area of Responsibility to support the "Pivot to the Pacific." We will cover different phases of conflict & war, phase zero being the shaping operations that occur long before combat begins. Discussion of exercises that the US Military is conducting in phase zero with allies in the region will be included.

Eric Thompson, USMC

The Art & Science of a Carrier Landing

	Jan/29	Thu	10:30AM-12:00PM	E40-496, Lucian Pye Conference Room

With 600+ carrier landings & having "waived" countless landings as a Landing Signals Officer, CDR Bernacchi brings a wealth of expertise to the Art, Science & tech of landing fighters on an aircraft carrier. From fresnel lenses to the wind effect of the "Burble" to systems used in bad weather & at night, he links the Art & Science of Naval Aviation in a multimedia experience.

Ryan Bernacchi, USN

Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement

Hiroko Matsuyama

	Jan/27	Tue	02:00PM-03:30PM	E40-496 (Pye Rm)

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Limited to 20 participants
Fee: $10.00 for Materials (due at time of registration)

Create your own flower arrangement with Hiroko Matsuyama, instructor from the Ohara school of Ikebana, in an IAP course on this ancient Japanese art.

Sponsor(s): Center for International Studies, MIT Japan Program
Contact: Christine Pilcavage, csp18@mit.edu

Kyudo: Japanese Archery

Jim Boorstein, Sam Kanner, Joyce Wu

	Jan/17	Sat	01:00PM-05:00PM	MAC Court
	Jan/18	Sun	09:30AM-03:30PM	Rockwell Cage, North Court

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Limited to 15 participants
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Fee: $20.00 for instruction

Kyudo, or Japanese archery, means the "way of the bow" and was considered the highest discipline of ancient Japanese samurai. Kyudo is based on standing Zen meditation used by Zen Buddhist monks as a means of cultivating self-awareness. Beginners will receive instruction in the basic form of kyudo. Training will take place on the first day, followed by actual shooting on the second day. People are required to come on Saturday to be trained in order to shoot on Sunday.

Sponsor(s): MIT Japan Program, Center for International Studies
Contact: Christine Pilcavage, E40-431, x8-8208, csp18@mit.edu

Starr Forum Friday Flicks: "A Forgotten Crime"

John Tirman, Executive Director, Center for International Studies

	Jan/30	Fri	12:00PM-01:30PM	E40-496, Lucian Pye Conf Rm

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 50 participants

"A Forgotten Crime" (Elli Safari, Remmelt Lukkien, The Netherlands, 2014, color)

Film screening and discussion with John Tirman, executive director and principal research scientist, MIT Center for International Studies. Author of Deaths of Others, and many other books and publications.

During the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) Saddam Hussein bombarded Iran with chemical weapons, while the world looked on without interfering. In "A Forgotten Crime" political and military leaders, medical experts and contaminated people relate how this drama was experienced in isolated Iran. The film irresistibly drags the viewer into the ever increasing humanitarian, military and political drama of this chemical warfare, which has determined Iran’s position in the international political arena until this very day. Former UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar and Joost Hiltermann, author of A Poisonous Affair provide additional information. Contains unique archive material. Mostly filmed in Iran. - See more at: http://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=2958897d-386d-4dbf-9b60-d1b4e37ca0fd&tab=dfs#sthash.7Hq3K5Ff.dpuf

Light refreshments will be served.

Sponsor(s): Center for International Studies
Contact: Michelle Nhuch, starrforum@mit.edu

Starr Forum Friday Flicks: "Hearts and Minds"

John Tirman, Executive Director, CIS

	Jan/23	Fri	12:00PM-02:00PM	E40-496, Lucian Pye Conf Rm