Feb. 4, 2003-April 8, 2003-As the world watched a coalition of U.S.-led forces invade Iraq and eventually topple Saddam Hussein’s regime, the Middle East Center presented a nine-part lecture series that analyzed the conflict from all sides.

Scholars, politicians and journalists found themselves speaking to standing-room only crowds in the Waldemer Read and Dumke Auditoriums, from topics ranging from the war’s impact on Shiite Muslims to the French reaction to American involvement in Iraq.

The lecture series was organized by Ibrahim Karawan, director of the Middle East Center, with ample support from the Office of the President, the College of Humanities, the College of Social and Behavioral Science and the department of political science.

Karawan and series organizers invited speakers who were knowledgeable and accessible, and presented complex problems in simple ways.

All the lectures were free and open to the public, and did much to offer a glimpse into the frenetic world of foreign relations.

The lecture series quelled fears, dispelled rumors and brought prestige to the U and its populace.