The lecture series Crossroads: Ideas for a New Century will continue at Orcas Center on Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Stephen Hanson, Herbert J. Ellison Professor of Political Science and Director of the Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies at the University of Washington, will speak on “Reassessing U.S.-Russian Relations in the Obama Administration.”

In his talk, Hanson will put the challenges facing the Obama administration in historical context, survey the main achievements and mistakes of U.S. policy toward the former communist world since the fall of the Berlin wall, and discuss whether a new cold war is in the offing, or whether the U.S. can find a path toward more robust cooperation with the Russian Federation on key security issues.

A UW faculty member since 1990, Hanson received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1985 and his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1991. Since 2000, he has been director of the Ellison Center. In addition, he became vice provost for the UW Office of Global Affairs in January.

Hanson is the author of several books and his numerous articles analyzing postcommunist Russia have appeared in many respected scholarly journals.

Tickets may be obtained at Darvill’s Bookstore and the Orcas Library at no cost. Contributions at the doors to ensure the continuation of the series are greatly appreciated.