Lakeland College Japan with hold a Free Lecture on Wednesday July 8 at 7 PM: "Coming to Terms with the Islamic State: The View from Japan", presented by
Prof. Christopher Hobson

In a remarkably short time the Islamic State (IS) has emerged from the turmoil and instability of Syria and Iraq, distinguishing itself through horrific acts of violence and remarkable successes on the battlefield.
Human rights abuses such as mass executions of innocent people, intentional attempts to inflame sectarian tensions, and widespread sexual violence have quickly identified IS as a brutal and ruthless actor. In Japan interest in IS has grown following the executions of Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. One year has now passed since IS proclaimed the establishment of a new caliphate, but the international community still remains at a loss over what to do. In this context, the purpose of this talk is to reflect on how great a threat IS poses, considering how unique or new a problem it represents, and how outside actors - including Japan - should respond.

Christopher Hobson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University. He is also a Visiting Research Fellow at the U. N. University. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from the Australian National University. Most recently he has co-edited two books published by Routledge in 2014: Human Security and Natural Disasters and Human Security and Japan's Triple Disaster. He is also the author of The Rise of
Democracy: Revolution, War and Transformations in International Politics since 1776, to be published in October 2015.

For a map and directions to Lakeland's Shinjuku Campus, see our website:

http://lcj.lakeland.edu/map-contact-us/

The Lakeland Lectures are a forum for researchers, students and members of the public to discuss contemporary issues affecting Japan. Lakeland College has offered a U.S.-accredited liberal arts program in Tokyo since 1991. Lakeland's main campus is in Wisconsin, USA and was founded in 1862.

--
Roger Grabowski, Jr.
Assistant Professor of General Studies
Lakeland College Japan