University of Florida professors to debate foreign policy, international topics

Lillian Lawson, Gainesville Sun
·2 min read

Two professors at the University of Florida will debate about heated topics surrounding foreign policy Tuesday afternoon at the Reitz Union.

The debate, titled “U.S. Foreign Policy Today: Challenges and Opportunities,” will bring up multiple topics related to the United States’ current foreign policy challenges. Topics of discussion could include the country’s relationship to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as Israel and Hamas, effectively competing with China and the revival of Russia as global powers and combating terrorism as well as addressing ideological roots of extremism.

UF called the debate “a timely discussion as the United States navigates its security, prosperity, and influence in an increasingly complex international landscape.”

The two debating will be Matt Jacobs, director of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, and William Inboden, director of the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education. A third-year political science student, Lucca Carlson, will moderate the discussion.

The University of Florida landmark Century Tower and University Auditorium.
The University of Florida landmark Century Tower and University Auditorium.

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Jacobs is an associate professor of U.S. and international history at UF and teaches international politics and history courses. He is committed to internationalizing the undergraduate experience across all colleges and majors and served as director for the Learning without Borders initiative. Jacobs focuses on U.S.-Middle East relations in his research.

Inboden is a professor of history at UF with experience in governmental positions. His research focuses on topics such as American foreign policy, the presidency and American history. He serves on multiple governmental councils, such as being a lifelong member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is editor-in-chief of the “Texas National Security Review.”

Additionally – and arguably most notably – he is a life-long friend of UF President Ben Sasse and was recently announced director for the Hamilton Center by Sasse in June. The Alligator reported that Inboden has been a friend of Sasse’s for almost three decades, donating a combined $4,500 to Sasse’s U.S. Senate campaign and even announcing in 2016 that he would write Sasse in on the presidential ballot.

Moderator William Inboden III, left, professor and director of the Hamilton Center, listens to two renowned philosophers speak during a discussion titled “Truth-Seeking and Democracy." The panelists were Robert George center, and Cornel West, right.
Moderator William Inboden III, left, professor and director of the Hamilton Center, listens to two renowned philosophers speak during a discussion titled “Truth-Seeking and Democracy." The panelists were Robert George center, and Cornel West, right.

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The event is hosted by UF’s Office of Public Policy Events, partnering with the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education.

The debate will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Rion Ballroom East. All members of the community, including UF faculty, students and staff, are invited to attend the free event. It will also be recorded and uploaded on the Bob Graham Center’s and Hamilton Center’s YouTube channels.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: University of Florida professors debate international policies