Wake-Up Call: Historically Important Elections

On the November 23rd Wake-Up Call Rick Moore is joined by Sidney Milkis, UVa Professor of Politics and Faculty Associate at the Miller Center of Public Affairs. During the hour, they discuss changes in the election process historically, critical elections that were influential to American history, and the possibilities for future elections to come.

Vladimir Putin and the Crisis in Ukraine: Policy and Personality


Allen Lynch speaking at the Senior Center in Charlottesville.

According to Allen Lynch, the ongoing crisis in Ukraine is the byproduct of two vectors of policy that predate Vladimir Putin’s rise to power in the Kremlin: (A) The desire of Moscow’s ruling elites that Russia be the dominant power throughout the territories of the former Soviet Union; and (B) NATO expansion. But Putin’s policy toward Ukraine not only reflects these political tendencies but also lessons that he learned during his family and professional socialization. These are: (C) Vacuums of power will always be filled; fill them yourself before others do, and (D) But in the process, be wary of over-extension, a lesson that Putin derives from his mastery of Judo, in which sport he attained advanced black belt status.

Allen Lynch, is the current professor of international relations and Russian studies at the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics at the University of Virginia, and was director of research at UVa’s Center for International Studies (2010-2012) and was director of the University’s Center for Russian and East European Studies (1993-2008), raising $1.5 million for graduate fellowships in Russian and East European Studies.

Mr Lynch has a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University (1984) and a BA in History from the State University of New York Stony Brook (1977) where he was also the All-American kicker/punter in 1975 in the 80-team National Club Sports Association.

He has held positions at the Harriman Institute for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union, Institute for East-West Security Studies (New York City), Feris Foundation of America, and is currently co-treasurer for the Friends of the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a Visiting Professor at the Free University of Berlin, East China Normal University (Shanghai), the Graduate School for Social Science (Paris), and the Radio Free Europe Research Institute (Munich). He is also a Visiting Scholar at the Russian Research Center, Harvard University, University of Lyon, France, and the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland (2014).

Mr Lynch’s publications include Vladimir Putin and Russian Statecraft, translated into Chinese; How Russia is Not Ruled; Does Russia Have a Democratic Future?; Europe from the Balkans to the Urals co-authored with Reneo Lukic; The Cold War Is Over Again; The Soviet Study of International Relations. He has also published in The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and various journals in North America, Europe, Russia and China.

He has received the Marshall D. Shulman Award for Best Book by the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies and Teaching Awards from the University of Virginia and the American Political Science Association.

Mr. Lynch has consulted for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the FBI Academy, the U.S. Air Force’s Special Service School, the U.S. On-Site Inspection Agency, the U.S. Army’s National Grounds Intelligence Center, and the Kettering Foundation.

He speaks Russian, French and Italian and reads in German, Serbo-Croatian, and Spanish. He is married to the former Tullia Maffei. They have one son (Thomas), who is now working in Washington, D.C.

Allen Lynch spoke at the Wednesday, November 12, 2014 meeting of the Senior Statesmen of Virginia. The meeting was held at the Senior Center in Charlottesville. Following the presentation, questions were taken from the audience. The program was moderated by SSV President Robert McGrath.

Wake-Up Call: Synthetic Biology with students from Renaissance School

A conversation on synthetic biology with students from Renaissance School. Anna Minutella from the Science Department joins Rick Moore with students Alli Ambrosini, Anders Beaurline, and Konstantina Damvakaris. Modifying e. coli to solve different problems like cheap anti-malarial drugs. Competing internationally with other High School age groups. Have teamed up with UVA for research and Synbio night. Discussing the ethics of modifying genes. GMOs and mass producing food.

Virginia Film Festival: Gray Matters

Marco Orsini
Marco Orsini
Marco Orsini is an international documentary filmmaker. His latest work is “Gray Matters“, a look at 20th century architect Eileen Gray who changed the way we live with furniture and within houses. Gray Matters screens Saturday at 6:45 in UVA’s Newcomb Hall Theater. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.

Virginia Film Festival: R. Stern

R. Stern
R. Stern
Detroit filmmaker Ted Houser talks to CPN’s Sean McCord about “R. Stern” his short film about an Afghanistan war veteran who goes searching for a missing friend. The film screens as part of the Short Narrative Films program on Sunday at 1:30 PM in the PVCC Dickinson Center. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.

Virginia Film Festival: Sound of Redemption

NC Heikin
NC Heikin
Documentary filmmaker NC Heikin talks to CPN’s Sean McCord about her new film “Sound of Redemption: the Frank Morgan Story“, an exploration of the life and music of the legendary but lost jazz musician. “Sound of Redemption” screens at 4:45 pm, Sunday, Nov 9 a the Downtown Regal 1. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.

Virginia Film Festival: Animals

Director Collin Schiffli and writer/actor David Dastmalchian.
Director Collin Schiffli and writer/actor David Dastmalchian.
Director Collin Schiffli and writer/actor David Dastmalchian stop by to talk to CPN’s Sean McCord about their film “Animals”. Inspired by Dastmalchian’s own struggle, the film tells the love story of a couple caged by their addictions on the streets of Chicago. “Animals” screens today, Saturday Nov. 8, at 6:45 in the Downtown Regal 4. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.

Virginia Film Festival: 5 to 7

Julie Lynn
5 to 7
Julie Lynn is a producer and member of the Virginia Film Festival Board. CPN’s Sean McCord talks to Ms. Lynn about “5 to 7“, a romantic human film directed by Vic Levin and starring Frank Langella and Glenn Close. The film will screen Saturday at 8:30 at The Paramount, followed by a panel discussion with the producers, the director, and star Frank Langella. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.

Virginia Film Festival: FRAME IT: The Future of Film, Television, and New Media

Heather Waters
Heather Waters
Heather Waters is the president of the Virginia Production Alliance, an alliance of industry professionals that provides leadership and opportunity for the future of Virginia’s film and television community. Heather is moderating a free panel this afternoon titled “Frame It: The Future of Film, Television, and New Media”, 3:30 PM at the Main Street Annex. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.

Virginia Film Festival: Wish You Well

Wish You Well
Wish You Well
CPN’s Sean McCord talks with Karen Spiegel, the producer of “Wish You Well“, a story about familial bonds and sacrifices in rural Virginia. From the novel and screenplay by Virginia writer David Baldacci. The film will be seen at 1:00pm, Saturday, Nov 8 at the PVCC Dickinson Center. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.

Virginia Film Festival: On Filmmaking: Industry Leaders and their approach in the Mid-Atlantic

Erica Arvold
Erica Arvold
Erica Arvold is a local casting director and producer. CPN’s Sean McCord talked to Erica about a panel she is hosting on Saturday “ON FILMMAKING: Industry leaders and their approach in the Mid-Atlantic”, as well as a film she co-produced “Wish You Well” and the Adrenaline Film Festival. The event takes place at 11:00a.m. Saturday at 416 East Main Street on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall and is free and open to the public. For more information visit the Virginia Film Festival web site.