What Can 1916 Tell Us About 2016: A Discussion of the Roots of Middle East Turmoil

UAlbany Professor Explores Historical Parallels

UAlbany history professor Richard Fogarty will explore World War I’s connection to ongoing unrest in the Middle East during a lecture in the Science Library, April 6. (Photo courtesy of Wall Street Journal)

Albany, N.Y. (April 5, 2016) – Richard Fogarty, a University at Albany history professor and associate dean for general education, will present "What Can 1916 Tell Us About 2016? Europe, Islam, and the Middle East” addressing the timely topic of unrest in the Middle East, including its roots to World War I.

The presentation, which is part of the University’s “Campus Conversations in Standish,” will be held on Wednesday, April 6, from 12:35 to 1:30 p.m. in the Patricia & J. Spencer Standish Board Room, Science Library. It will be followed by a Q&A session. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

“The Middle East is obviously a critical region in world politics, and even in American domestic politics, its ongoing turmoil effects many people’s daily lives,” Fogarty said. “What people may not know is how much of today’s unrest, and problems in the region, have direct roots in the events of the First World War. I can tell you one thing: the fighters of the Islamic State claim they are still fighting the First World War, and this should get our attention. If we really want to understand 2016, we ought to know something about 1916.”

A devoted scholar and educator, professor Fogarty has received a number of awards and recognitions, including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service, and UAlbany College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching.

The UAlbany Libraries launched "Campus Conversations in Standish" in spring 2015 to showcase faculty research and expertise. The lecture is an opportunity to encourage the University community to exchange ideas and perspectives. Professor Fogarty’s presentation will be the concluding installment of this semester’s series.

About the University at Albany Libraries:

A member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL)—the 124 largest, most comprehensive research libraries in North America—the University at Albany Libraries provide research services, resources, and programs to the students, faculty, and staff at the University at Albany to facilitate their academic achievement and research success. The Libraries serve the University’s community, the citizens of New York State, and scholars and researchers from around the world. For up-to-date information about the University Libraries, visit http://library.albany.edu.

For more news, subscribe to UAlbany's RSS headline feeds