The third season of the Crossroads lecture series entitled Ideas for a New Century begins Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center.

The first presentation, “Getting It Right: Israel, Palestine and the Obama Administration,” will be given by Ellis Goldberg. The lecture will provide perspective on the 60 year-old conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians that has been called one of the most intractable problems facing the global community and has defied the efforts of successive American administrations to broker a solution. The lecture will attempt to answer if President Obama has any new options available to him that could help bring peace to the troubled region.

Crossroads organizers say Goldberg brings a broad and nuanced perspective to the topic.

Goldberg is a Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Washington. He teaches courses in Middle East politics, comparative politics, and international political economy. He has served as the director of UW’s Middle East Center and as the chair of the Middle East Studies Program. Goldberg has held visiting appointments at Harvard University’s Center for Middle East Studies and Princeton University’s Department of Near Eastern Studies and Transregional Institute. Goldberg is fluent in Arabic and has done substantial field work in the area. His publications include three books focusing on issues of class, politics, and labor in Egypt. He has co-edited the book “Rules and Rights in the Middle East: Democracy, Law and Society.”

This fall’s Crossroads series includes James McGaugh addressing “Memory and Emotion: The Making of Lasting Memories” and Barbara Safriet discussing “Health Care Reform: Questions and Consequences.” 

Crossroads is sponsored by the Friends of the Orcas Island Library in cooperation with Orcas Island Public Library.

Tickets are $10 and available at Darvill’s and the library three weeks before each lecture. Season’s tickets are $60 and include all seven events. Those who need complimentary tickets can sign up at the Senior Center or the library two weeks before each lecture.