EAST LANSING, Mich. — Join the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) this Wednesday, April 12 from 6-8 p.m. for An Evening with Sam J. Striker, PhD: Decoding Afghanistan through the Lens of Social Science.
For more than sixteen years, Afghanistan has occupied international capacity-building efforts. The need to understand the socio-cultural landscape of this enigmatic country is paramount to the measurement of success. This lecture will reveal the demographics of the country and explore the role of tribalism in today's efforts to secure the country. There will also be discussion of the role of corruption and opium commerce on capacity-building efforts. Finally, the high impact decisions, both good and bad, and their lasting effects on the nation will be discussed.
Samuel James Striker, PhD is an East Lansing resident and he has spent the better part of the last eight years in Afghanistan in a variety of roles. He is the founder of Hollin-Phoenix Consulting, LLC – a company that specializes in socio-cultural research in unstable areas. He is considered by many to be one of the foremost conflict zone social scientists with extensive experience in unstable areas. He is a social scientist, advisor, lecturer and author. He has written a series of articles for the Afghan Tribune and his most recent visit to Afghanistan involved advising the Ministry of Education in capacity-building.
He is the author of “The Humanity of Warfare: Social Science Capabilities and the Evolution of Armed Conflict,” as well as numerous articles. His works have informed policymakers at all levels to include the President of the United States, Defense Intelligence Agency, Logistics Command, Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC), Department of State , U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, USAID and many other agencies. He has also submitted comprehensive critiques on the US Army's Human Terrain System training program. Dr. Striker is also featured in The Afghan Paradox and honored by Western Michigan University for his work in conflict areas. His guest speaking engagements include the CIMIC Multinational Group in Motta di Livenza, Italy; the 2012 GEOINT Symposium; Human Terrain System; and the COIN Leadership Academy.
ELPL’s event is free and open to the public. ELPL is located at 950 Abbot Road.