When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the war dominated news coverage throughout the United States and around the world.
Images from the destruction and death shocked viewers, and for weeks, were inescapable.
But in the seven months since the conflict started, coverage has waned.
“When the war first started, it was on the news every night. It was a very big deal,” said Rick Gawthorp, professor emeritus of Russian history at Franklin College. “Partly because of time and the news cycle, and partly because the war has stalemated, that’s not the case anymore. People might be wondering what is happening in Ukraine, because they haven’t heard as much.”
Gawthorp and a pair of other Franklin College professors — international relations expert Randy Smith and European historian Katie Streit — are hoping to refresh the public on the happenings of the war. They are presenting a free program, “The War in Ukraine: Why Is It Happening and What’s at Stake?” Wednesday at the White River branch of the Johnson County Public Library.
The trio will give insight and an overview of the fighting, before fielding questions from curious audience members.
“We trying to help people understand why, and what’s at stake, and to answer questions because it’s been a while since we had a major power be aggressive in this way,” Smith said.
The program stems from a similar event the professors put on for Franklin College students in the spring. With the war in Ukraine happening between two countries that people in the United States may not know much about, particularly the long history between them, it was important to offer a baseline of knowledge for people, Smith said.
“We want to help people digest it, process it and be able to come to some informed understanding of it,” he said.
Their presentation will focus on the historical and geopolitical aspects of the fighting, including what it means for security in Eastern Europe and what happens when a larger country invades a smaller country, in terms of rule of law, Gawthorp said.
Aspects of the program will also touch on the impact of the fighting on civilians in Ukraine, including the refugee crisis that has been created, Smith said.
While the program will not delve specifically into it, the example in Ukraine can also be applied to the tension between China and Taiwan, Gawthorp said.
Understanding all of these issues across the world is vital for the United States in coming years and decades.
“The most concerning is seeing an aggressive great power. A unipolar moment of the immediate post-Cold War world is eroded, and not only is Russia becoming aggressive and trying to reassert its power, but China certainly has its eyes open and are watching very closely,” Smith said.
IF YOU GO
“The War in Ukraine: Why Is It Happening and What’s at Stake?”
What: A program by Franklin College professors Katie Streit, assistant professor of history; Rick Gawthrop, professor emeritus of history, and Randall Smith, professor of political science, explaining different aspects of the war in Ukraine.
When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: White River branch of the Johnson County Public Library, 1664 Library Blvd., Greenwood
Cost: Free
How to register: pageafterpage.org
