Friday, October 16, 2009
7:30pm - 9:30pm
NYU Sociology Dept., 4th Floor Seminar Room
295 Lafayette St.

October 7th marked the eighth anniversary of the American invasion of Afghanistan. Despite escalating civilian casualties and the thoroughly corrupt nature of the Karzai regime, the end of the occupation is nowhere in sight. Obama has made this “his” war, having already ordered an additional 17,000 troops to the country in February, with further escalation certainly in store. Come to watch and discuss Robert Greenwald’s new documentary, Rethink Afghanistan, which makes a powerful case against the war on Af-Pak.

• Polls have shown that a majority of Americans oppose the war. Does this represent sentiment that can be mobilized into concrete, anti-war action?
• What is the larger role of the American anti-war movement? CODEPINK recently announced that it was rethinking its call for an immediate withdrawal, citing concerns over a ‘power vacuum’ if troops were to abandon the country. Is this justified?
• What effects have the American presence and policy had on Pakistan?
• What are the long-term interests at stake in Af-Pak? How are the other regional powers involved in the conflict?