Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel decimated the Gaza Strip and once again thrust Israel into a war for its survival. Why did Hamas attack? What is Israel's goal in the war? Is there a risk of expanding into a global conflict? What does this say about anti-Semitism today? All these questions and more will be addressed by Palm Beach State College professor and sociologist Luis Fleischman, who for more than three decades has worked with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

As more Latin American countries turned to be illiberal left-wing regimes and anti-American, foreign powers saw an opportunity to gain strategic, political, and economic influence in a region that was historically part of the U.S.A.’s sphere of influence. Russia and China, competing with the United States for global influence, have been at the forefront of this regional penetration. Likewise, transnational crime and rogue states such as Iran have also increased their presence in Latin America. How did these new powers challenge the region and the U.S economically, strategically, and politically?

The attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, were unforgettable for all who lived through that fateful day. Despite the best effort of many, sadly, terrorism is still a dangerous part of our world today. For example, the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, was another expressionism of terrorism, which has an armed and educational component. What’s more, terrorism continues to be active in Africa, the Middle East, and also in South and North America as well as Europe. This lecture will discuss terrorist organizations worldwide, including the role of Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood, and their global impact.

As the Cold War ended, there was a feeling that the United States would remain the sole superpower in the world. However, in time new rivalries and new alliances emerged. Russia and China raised against American hegemony, attempting to build alternatives to the world of liberal democracy and American influence. These new alliances that Russia and China promote (e.g. BRICS) include old enemies of the liberal order, including Iran and North Korea, as well as some traditional American allies such as Turkey and several Latin American countries.

How is the United States’ foreign policy reacting to these challenges? Are the U.S. and its allies in NATO and the European Union capable of confronting these new challenges? What do we learn from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza/Southern Lebanon?