Brigadier General Proposes Potential Reforms in Afghanistan at Peters Township Library

The Peters Township Public Library is partnering with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh to welcome Brigadier General Lewis G. Irwin, U.S. Army Reserve, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7.

Irwin will discuss topics from his new book, "Disjointed Ways, Disunified Means: Learning from America’s Struggle to Build an Afghan Nation," published by the Strategic Studies Institute, United States Army War College, 2012.

Irwin, who is a professor of political science at Duquesne University in addition to commanding the Army Reserve’s 926th Engineer Brigade, will explore the strategic and inter-agency challenges that he said have constrained the United States and NATO in the coalition’s mission in Afghanistan. 

A veteran of Operation “Enduring Freedom,” he will describe the difficulties presented by Afghanistan’s history and culture, as well as the region’s contemporary social, political, and economic circumstances.

As outlined in his book, Irwin will then propose potential reforms that can enable the United States to achieve the strategic coherence and unity of effort that will be needed to meet emerging new national security threats in an era of constrained resources.

This program is free and open to the public.

Register to attend by emailing programs@ptlibrary.org, visiting the library’s circulation desk, or calingl 724-941-9430.

A book signing reception will follow the program. Copies of the book—both hard copy and electronic—are available at no cost to the reader at: http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/display.cfm?pubID=1105

During more than 26 years of commissioned service in the U.S. Army, Irwin has served in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Bosnia, Panama, Germany, and Afghanistan—in addition to locations throughout the United States.

Irwin currently serves as the Commanding General of the 926th Engineer Brigade, composing the Army Reserve’s combat engineer units throughout the southeastern United States.

In his civilian career, he is a professor of political science and public policy at Duquesne University, jointly appointed to the Department of Political Science and the Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy.  

 Irwin holds a bachelor’s in civil engineering management from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a master’s in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, and a doctorate in political science from Yale University.

McMurray Veterans of Foreign Wars POST 764 provides support for the International Program Series hosted by Peters Township Public Library in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.