Retreats, Riots and Reds: The Russian Annus Horribilis

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When Tsar Nicholas II took personal command of the Imperial Russian Army in 1915, he hoped to salvage the military situation on the eastern front. The issues on the front line paled, however, in comparison to the troubles at home. Sean Kalic and Gates Brown illustrate the vital connection between the home front and the […]

Military Professionalism in the Modern Age

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Nathan K. Finney and Tyrell O. Mayfield, editors of the new book “Redefining the Modern Military: The Intersection of Profession and Ethics,” join the institute to discuss the importance of re-examining the profession of arms during and between conflicts, as well the impact of modern warfare and social online communications on the military. This is […]

“Big Sonia” Screening and Filmmaker Q&A

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One of the last remaining Holocaust survivors living in Kansas City, Sonia Warshawski is a bridge between cultures and generations. Fondly nicknamed “Big Sonia” for her diminutive stature and larger-than-life personality, Warshawski has served as an inspirational public speaker at schools and prisons while running the tailor shop she’s owned for over 30 years. Join […]

In Conversation with Sonia Warshawski

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Follow up the screening of “Big Sonia” with an in-person visit from the film’s titular subject, Sonia Warshawski. Joined by her daughter, Regina Kort, Warshawski will discuss her experiences as a survivor of the Holocaust and reflect on the documentary made by her granddaughter, Leah Warshawski.

Work, Fight, Give: American Relief Posters of World War II

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Hal Wert visits to present a new window on understanding a watershed event in our nation’s history. Using a vast collection of poster art, poster stamps, banners and programs issued during World War II, Wert focuses on those who gave of their artistic talents to design posters that were aimed at the heart of Americans. […]

Unmasking the Spy: Intelligence Gathering

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Is intelligence gathering in the 21st century more like James Bond, Jack Ryan… or something else entirely? A 35-year veteran of the U.S. national security community, Ron Marks will guide guests through the realities and challenges of a career in intelligence. Marks worked as a CIA official and clandestine service officer before later serving as […]

The War of 1812 on the Home Front

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The War of 1812 brought great danger to those whose homes sat at the overlap between the home front and the fighting front. Many along the 37-mile long Niagara River witness raids and violence in both directions. The most powerful and destructive operation occurred in December 1813—when it was over, every home along the river […]

James A. Baker III

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The Dole Institute of Politics will honor former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III with the 2018 Dole Leadership Prize. Baker served in senior government positions under three U.S. presidents, including as the nation’s 61st secretary of state under President George H.W. Bush. During that time, Baker traveled to 90 foreign countries as […]

2018 Kansas Post-Election Conference

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Explore the 2018 Kansas elections and their implications in this conference with political experts, journalists and strategists from across the state. Panelists will include: Kerry Gooch, campaign manager, Paul Davis campaign C.J. Grover, campaign manager, Kevin Yoder campaign John Hanna, correspondent, Associated Press Pat Leopold, campaign manager, Steve Watkins campaign Daniel McNamara, campaign manager, Sharice […]

2018 National Post-Election Conference

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The Dole Institute’s nationally-recognized Post-Election Conference delves into the key strategies of elections to examine how and why they are won and lost. A panel of journalists, pollsters, campaign strategists and political consultants will visit the institute to dissect the midterms and what the results could mean for 2020. Panelists will include: Jason Bresler, national […]

Mr. Polk’s War

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A sharp divide characterized the relationship between the home front and the front line during the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. Despite advances in communication technology, most Americans viewed war through a romantic lens, which bore little resemblance to the reality of the soldier experience. Greg Hospodor addresses the gulf between those two perceptions and its […]

Field Marshal William Slim

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In the fall of 1942 and spring of 1943, the British-led Allied forces in Burma were defeated by a smaller but better-prepared and better-led Japanese army. At this crucial time, a little-known officer named Lieutenant General William Slim took command of the multinational force that had known only defeat at the hands of the Japanese. […]

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