Topic Description: The wa r in Gaza has brought the region to a crossroads. What are the possible ou tcomes of the war\, and how might the United States use its influence to s hape a long-term settlement that leaves both Israel and the Palestinians i n a better position? How might Arab states in the wider region be brought into a settlement? What are America&rsquo\;s interests in the Middle East and how can it advance them?
\nFacilitator:
\nPatrick Connell is a career member of the United States Senior Foreign Se rvice. He has served as the Senior Diplomatic Fellow at UNF since August 2 024\, where he teaches foreign affairs\, international relations\, and glo bal hotspots. \;Previously\, he was the Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs and before that was the Cha rgé\; d&rsquo\;Affaires\, \;ad interim\, at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See from January 2021 to April 2022 and Deputy Chief of Mission b eginning July 2020. Prior to the Vatican\, Mr. Connell led a team of diplo mats\, USAID officers\, and U.S. Army Special Operations Forces inside Syr ia.
\nEarlier assignments include as the Political and Economic Coun selor at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia\, Cyprus\; the Senior United Kingdom and Ireland Desk Officer at the State Department in Washington\, D.C.\; a Political Officer at the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe\; a Political-Military Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad\, Iraq\; the Human Rights Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Athens \, Greece\; a Consular Officer and Political-Economic Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne\, Australia\; and as an Assistant Public Af fairs Officer at the then U.S. Office in Pristina\, Kosovo. \; \; Before joining the State Department\, Mr. Connell was a practicing attorne y who served as a state prosecutor. \;
\nMr. Connell holds a Bac helor of Arts in Religious Studies and English from Villanova University a nd a Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law. \;
\nAbout Great Decisions:
\nGreat Decisions is America 's largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book (optional)\, and meeting in a D iscussion Group to discuss critical global issues facing America today. Ea ch meeting begins with a 30 minute film on the discussion topic and is fol lowed by a facilitator-led discussion. \;
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\nPursuant to the American s with Disabilities Act\, accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please allow 1&ndash\;2 business days to process. Last-minute requests will be accepted\, but may not be possible to fulfil l. Please ask for Learning Services at 255-2665 or email JPLPrograms@coj.n et.
\nhttps://jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/12569219 URL;VALUE=URI:https://jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/12569219 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR