Nearly 70 people gathered at the Myrtle Beach Education Center on the morning of Friday, April 21, for the second Chanticleer Intelligence Brief Symposium. The event featured timely updates about some of the world’s most critical hot spots by a panel of CIB Analysts. It was held in conjunction with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University, and supported by the Edwards College of Humanities and Arts at Coastal Carolina University.

The audience was exposed to analytical briefs about several timely topics. The head of the CIB’s Asia Section, Eric Winter, spoke about America’s relations with the Philippines and the role of China in the region. Belle Griggs, from the CIB’s Americas Section, discussed the fate of the peace treaty in Colombia, which recently ended a 52-year civil war in the country. Jake Mansfield, who heads the CIB’s Africa Section, analyzed the security situation in the Central African Republic, which some observers believe is witnessing the start of a large-scale civil war. CIB Asia Section analyst Julie Emory, who is preparing to enter a study-abroad year in Japan, discussed the future of Japan’s military posture and the possibility that it might change from defensive to offensive.

Following the break, CIB Middle East analyst Max Kuhns, who has served on active duty and is currently an all-source intelligence analyst in the United States Army Reserves, spoke about the al-Nusra Front (also known as Tahrir al-Sham) and its role in the ongoing Syrian Civil War. CIB Executive Officer Casey Mallon discussed the status of the Islamic State in North Africa, with special reference to Libya. And the two-hour event concluded with Troy Ramsbacher, a former Scout Sniper team leader in the United States Marine Corps, who spoke about the prospects of reunification in Cyprus. A discussion followed, with comments and questions from what proved to be a well-informed and curious audience.

During the event, the CIB raised funds for its activities by offering community subscriptions to The Intelligence Review, its peer-reviewed publication that is published twice a year in cooperation with the European Intelligence Academy. The Symposium was moderated by CIB Faculty Advisor Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis. The CIB wishes to express its gratitude to CCU Director of Community Outreach Dr. Carol Osborne, OLLI Senior Director of Operations Kelli Barker, OLLI Administrative Specialist Nicolle Candelori, and OLLI Board of Advisors member Samih Baalbaki for their help in coordinating this event. The Third CIB Symposium will be held in December of this year.