The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law is pleased to announce its schedule of events for the 2012-2013 academic year. The Center will host renowned scholars, practitioners, and journalists from around the world as part of its acclaimed International Security Speaker Series (ISSS), sponsor conferences on todays most pressing global challenges, and feature inspiring student work.

In a ceremony that took place this summer, Strauss Distinguished Scholar Eugene Gholz received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service Medal, one of the highest awards the Secretary of Defense can bestow on a private citizen. The award was presented for the work that Gholz had contributed as a senior advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy from 2010 to 2012.

Strauss Center Director Francis J. Gavin wrote an essay for the Federation of American Scientists for the 67th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.  The collection of essays marking this anniversary reflect on the wisdom of nuclear energy and share the authors' perspectives on nuclear weapons.

The University of Texas at Austin's homepage featured an article on the Strauss Center's Climate Change and African Stability Program (CCAPS) this week.  The article highlights the program's work in Malawi where students were given the opportunity to assist with collecting data from the nations Ministry of Finance on foregin aid.  The students were able to contribute to the building of a database and mapping system to help explain how and where aid is being distributed, and whether aid is targeting areas with the greatest security risks in relation to climate change.