Luncheon on January 21, 2019

Topic

Financing Terror: ISIS and Antiquities

Speaker

Overview

For a number of years, ISIS has been engaged in the illegal antiquities trade, generating millions of dollars by looting priceless cultural artifacts. Jason Blazakis, the Director of the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) will address this practice in his talk on January 21. He will discuss the overall ways that ISIS finances itself, and will then delve more specifically into its process of exploiting antiquities for profit. He will also address some of the countermeasures employed by the US government to combat this problem.

Professor Blazakis is a specialist in terrorism and counterterrorism, including the finances, group structures, social media presence, and state sponsorship of organizations that utilize terror. He was employed by the federal government for almost twenty years, working at the State Department, the Congressional Research Service, and the US Congress. Before arriving at MIIS in the Fall of 2018, he was the Director of the Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office at the State Department. He hold master’s degrees from Columbia and Johns Hopkins Universities.

Please note that this program will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey.  Room capacity is limited. Reservations will be accepted in the order they are received until the program is full. Depending on demand, we may be unable to accommodate auditors at this event.

Agenda

• Monday, January 21, 2019
• 11:30 am: Registration
• 11:50: Luncheon
• 12:50 pm: Program

Luncheon Menu

• California Field Greens Salad
• Grilled Salmon Filet with a Lemon Dill Beurre Blanc
• Rice Pilaf and Seasonal Grilled Vegetables
• Fresh Rolls and Butter
• New York Cheesecake with Mango Coulis and Berries
• Coffee
• Vegetarian Option: Bell Peppers Stuffed with Roasted Vegetables, Rice and Cheese

Luncheon Cost

• $29 for members
• $35 for guests

Registration

Registration for the luncheon is now closed.  Audience seating for the lecture only may be available, depending on room capacity, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Location

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93923