April 5, 2010
'Footwear Choice' is Key When Traveling the Road to Peace
U.S. Senator Kit Bond addresses U.S./Muslim relations in SE Asia April 16
"Americans in sandals and sneakers today will eliminate the need for Americans in combat boots tomorrow." That’s the gist of U.S. Senator Kit Bond's (R-MO) recent book, The Next Front: Southeast Asia and the Road to Global Peace with Islam (Wiley, 2009). Bond will discuss his book and his concept of 'smart power,' what it is, how it can be used to combat global terrorism and how it can help lead the U.S. to global peace with Islam at Webster University, Friday, April 16, at 3 p.m. in Sverdrup Building Room 101, 8300 Big Bend Blvd. The hour-long presentation and audience discussion is free and open to the public and will be streamed live online at: http://blogs.webster.edu/bondatwebster. Questions for Sen. Bond are encouraged and may be presented in person at the event or by e-mailing: opa@webster.edu. The event is sponsored by Webster University's ONE student chapter, a non-partisan organization founded by U2's Bono to end extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.
In a recent interview with Politico.com, Bond called The Next Front, co-written with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lewis Simons, "a thought piece" with an intended audience of "people who are serious students of international affairs." The book makes a convincing argument regarding the strategic need to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian Muslims through better listening, partnering and more selfless assistance than has been given in the past. Since the world's largest concentration of Muslims is in Indonesia — three times the population of any Arab nation — with two percent (or 4 million) considered "radical" Muslims, the scope of influence for Southeast Asia within the Muslim community is formidable. Bond and Simons acknowledge that these countries welcome democracy to a greater degree than those in the Middle East, but with their own nuanced interpretations. The U.S. must use a 'smart power' approach that combines diplomatic, economic, educational and personal outreach tactics with military influence such that wearing sandals today will "eliminate the need for Americans in combat boots tomorrow."
Krista "Kritter" Keirnan, president of ONE, was instrumental in arranging Bond’s visit to Webster, since she and her student group have had several meetings with Bond staffers concerning issues of U.S. foreign policy. She said her organization acknowledges Bond’s support of global poverty issues, including recent support of Senate bills Water for the World Act and the Foreign Assistance Revitalization and Accountability Act.
"We truly appreciate Senator Bond's leadership in supporting legislation to end extreme world poverty and we are thrilled to welcome him to Webster University," said Keirnan.
Guests are encouraged to park in any Webster University parking lot. Please note that last minute circumstances in Washington D.C. may impact Sen. Bond’s appearance at the event. Please check the University website to confirm the date and time at: www.webster.edu.
Please check the University website to confirm the date and time at: www.webster.edu.
###
470 East Lockwood Avenue