With tension between the United States and Iran high, a former CIA agent, an economics professor and an author on U.S.-Iranian relations will discuss the volatile situation at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Fresno State.

“Targeting Iran: Sanctions and War”, a free and public event, will be held at the Leon S. and Pete P. Peters Educational Center (inside the Student Recreation Center at Shaw and Woodrow avenues).

Participating in the discussion are:

  • Raymond McGovern, a CIA agent for 27 years under seven presidents, who will analyze the United States’ intelligence on Iran. In 2003, McGovern co-founded the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, an organization that critiques the use of intelligence.
  • Fresno State professor emeritus of economics Sasan Fayazmanesh, who will examine the historical relationship between the two countries. Fayazmanesh is the author of “Money and Exchange: Folktales and Reality” (Routledge, 2006) and “The United States and Iran: Sanctions, Wars and the Policy of Dual Containment” (Routledge, 2008).
  • Author Trita Parsi, who will amplify his new book, “A Single Roll of the Dice: Obama’s Diplomacy with Iran” (Yale University Press). In 2010, Parsi received the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order.

Dr. Vida Samiian, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, will moderate the discussion.

The event is co-sponsored by the Fresno State Middle East Studies Program, Fresno Art Museum, local chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Fresno Center for Nonviolence, Peace Fresno and the Reedley Peace Group.

Parking is available in lots V (Shaw and Woodward) and Z (in front of the Student Recreation Center). To obtain free parking and for more information, contact the College of Arts and Humanities at 559.278.3056.

(Copy by University Communications student news assistant Nicole Maul.)

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