The opinions that were expressed in an editorial observer about the Foreign Affairs Symposium in last week’s issue of The News-Letter exemplify a clear lack of understanding of the mission of FAS. The Foreign Affairs Symposium aims to provide a forum for thoughtful and intellectual debate. Through the events that we organize, we hope to generate discussion about current and pressing issues of international significance. If the line-up were to cater to the views of individual students, it would not be doing its job. It would only be reinforcing generally accepted views. Instead, our speakers are selected for their ability to captivate an audience and spark dialogue.
The members of our lineup have all had an important impact on domestic or global policy. Whether or not you agree with what they have to say, you cannot belittle their success. Regardless of what you think about Wall Street, Andrew Ross Sorkin is still an expert on the 2008 financial crisis. His national bestseller, Too Big To Fail-The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System — and Themselves, chronicles the financial crisis and is based on 500 hours of documentary evidence. Furthermore, both Elizabeth Cheney and Ambassador L. Paul Bremer have played an integral role in American foreign policy through their roles at the State Department.
We urge those who attend our events to use the question and answer session to challenge our speakers on their remarks. Some of our speakers will be inevitably more controversial than others, which is part of the reason that we have invited them to campus. Their views should not be disregarded just because they may be controversial. This attitude towards our line-up is not only close-minded but it is not conducive to intellectual political debate.
As students, we should welcome the opportunity to hear from experts from all across the political spectrum. Only by hearing from these experts, will we be enlightened to form our own opinions on how to address the problems of our modern world.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The News-Letter.