The war in Ukraine reaches its two-year mark on February 24. What is the state of the situation? Besides the obvious -burned and bombed buildings, ravished lands, extremely damaged infrastructure- what has been the human cost of the war thus far, the death toll on both sides? What has happened to Ukrainian children who have been kidnapped by Russia?

Does the mixed record of the sanctions imposed on Russia make a difference?

What have the ups and downs of the war been to this point and how do they impact the eventual outcome? How are they viewed from both the Ukrainian and Russian viewpoints? 

Should “Peace at any price” be considered? Should Ukraine keep fighting or let Russia steal half of its country?

These questions and many other points will be explained and discussed when Dr. Michael Strmiska, presents his timely lecture “The War in Ukraine After Two Years: No Easy Answers.” This lecture event, which is free and open to the public, will be presented twice. The venue in which the sessions are scheduled is the Gilman Center for International Education, room 130 located in the SUNY Orange Library at the corner of East Conkling Ave. and South St, GPS: 14 East Conkling Ave, Middletown. Come listen, learn, and question on Tuesday, February 20 at 11am or Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 7pm.

Professor Strmiska means to also deal with Ukraine's impressive military successes, including rapid technological adaptation; the rallying of Western nations under US President Joe Biden's leadership, and why Ukraine matters: why Americans should care. How intense is the anxiety of the Baltic States and Poland about what a Russian victory might mean for them? What happens if the US turns away and tyranny is triumphant? What is the overall picture considering Russia’s successes in forming links with China, Iran, North Korea, and the “Global South?”

Michael Strmiska teaches World History and Asian History at SUNY Orange. He has been awarded two Fulbright Fellowships for teaching at universities in Lithuania and Latvia, as well as the 2017 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activities. He visited Lithuania in January of this year and had many discussions with colleagues about the situation in Ukraine. Professor Strmiska holds a B.A., Hampshire College; an M.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison; and a Ph.D., in Religious Studies, Boston University.

Free parking is available in lot#5 across South St from the Morrison Hall Mansion and in the parking garage located at 3 East Conkling Ave, Middletown.

Questions may be addressed to Cultural Affairs at cultural@sunyorange.edu.