Former U.S. Marine captain and press officer and current Al-Jazeera English correspondent Josh Rushing will speak at the University of Colorado at 麻豆影院 on Monday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. about the future of the relationship between the United States and the Middle East.
Sponsored by the student-run Model United Nations program at CU-麻豆影院 in collaboration with the Cultural Events Board and the international affairs department, Rushing will speak in the University Memorial Center's Glenn Miller Ballroom. Doors for the free, public event will open at 6:45 p.m.
Tickets are required for the event. Advance tickets will be available in the UMC loggia on Thursday, Jan. 29, and Friday, Jan. 30. Any remaining tickets will be available on Feb. 2 outside the Glenn Miller Ballroom beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Rushing works as a correspondent and military analyst out of Al-Jazeera English's Washington, D.C., bureau. He covers a wide variety of international issues for Al-Jazeera English, but focuses primarily on U.S.-Middle Eastern relations.
Al-Jazeera English has broadcasting centers in Doha, Qatar; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; London; and Washington, D.C.
"I selected Josh Rushing because I wanted to invite a speaker who brought in a new dynamic to the discussion of the relationship between the United States and the Middle East," said Aaron Bothner, the speaker coordinator for the CU Model United Nations program. "His message focuses on appreciating cultural differences as essential to improving U.S.-Middle East relations."
Rushing was a press officer for the U.S. Central Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. He also appeared in the 2004 documentary film "Control Room," which was about the relationship between U.S. Central Command in Doha, Qatar, and media outlets including Al-Jazeera that covered the operation in 2003.
He resigned from the Marine Corps in August 2004, after 14 years of service. In 2005 he joined Al-Jazeera English, where he has worked since. He is the author of the 2007 book, "Mission Al-Jazeera: Build a Bridge, Seek the Truth, Change the World." Rushing has spoken at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the National Defense University and the Defense Information School as well as college campuses. He also has appeared on National Public Radio and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart and his story has been covered by numerous magazines and newspapers.
"As the speaker coordinator for the CU Model United Nations program, my goal was to bring in somebody who wasn't strictly ideological, but rather someone who has dealt with the complex aspects of foreign relations, and I think Josh Rushing is a great fit," Bothner said.
For more information about the event or tickets contact the CU Model United Nations at 303-895-9568.