This January marks SILL's 53rd year. We are excited about our upcoming Global Issues series. Returning to SILL are impressive speakers such as General Russel Honore who organized the Hurricane Katrina relief effort speaking about the increase in domestic violence. Sarasota native Nolan Peterson will return to give an update on events in Ukraine. SILL favorites Martin Walker, Dennis Ross, and Bob Barylski will also review the EU, the Middle East, and Russia. New to SILL are Charlayne Hunter-Gault speaking on discord in America, Dr. Sally Rigger discussing Taiwan, Ambassador Eric Rubin reviewing the Balkans, and Roya Hakakian with an overview of women in Iran. Other new SILL topics include nuclear energy, climate change, and artificial intelligence.

I think you will find our lectures stimulating, informative, and great value for the money. You can purchase a season subscription to a twelve-lecture series for only $110 or pay just $15 to attend an individual session. We also offer a flex pass. For $150 you can attend any of 12 lectures, including Music Monday.

We offer two live lecture series in Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch. Sarasota lectures are on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 AM. You can also view our Thursday lectures virtually at your convenience. Venice lectures are on Tuesday at 2:30 PM and on Friday at 10:00 AM. Lakewood Ranch lectures are on Wednesday at 11:00 AM (replacing the Wednesday offering in Sarasota) and on Thursday at 5:00 PM.

A great deal of effort and planning goes into our program, and I want to thank the Global Issues Committee members Bob Barylski, Bob Deutsch, Peter Huber, Jeff Olesen, Craig Kennedy, Bob Lieber, Mike Boorstein, Bill Smullen, Carmen Stoeckmann, Bob Germain, Kathie Westpheling, and Ed Swan for their help.

Beth Cotner, Program Chair