SILL inaugurates its 52nd year this January. We look forward to offering yet another season of "An Insider's View of the World" through lectures by former diplomats, academics, journalists, and other experts in their fields. The lectures will be live and like last year, we will offer recordings of the lectures via Video on Demand. Thus, you can attend scheduled SILL lectures in Sarasota, Venice and Lakewood Ranch, but also access them at a time of your choosing. You could be traveling and still not miss the lectures on those topics that you are most interested in.

That said, there is no substitute for live presentations in terms of enhanced communication and the possibility for meaningful interaction. Our audience recognizes this, and our speakers certainly do as well. They are excited about the prospect about addressing you in person this season.

We are very proud of the speakers we have been able to attract once again to our bit of paradise. Amb. Dennis Ross, top advisor to four presidents on Middle East policy, will return. Also returning is Amb. John Beyrle who electrified our audience on his years of interaction with Vladimir Putin. Others returning include Dr. Jeremi Suri on the growing domestic political divide; Dr. Mohsen Milani on the perennial Iran challenge; and Baroness Margaret Jay on Brexit. Martin Walker will address European Leadership; Stephen Biegun the Biden administration's foreign policy; and Dr. Aron Troen on the outlook for a cure for Alzheimer's.

New to SILL this year are Amb. Barbara Stephenson on strengthening America's voice via international organizations and initiatives; Rodney Adams on advancing nuclear energy; Dr. Kori Schake on European Security after Ukraine; Amb. Charles Shapiro on U.S. Foreign Policy toward Latin America; Charles Kupshan on the future of the Atlantic Alliance; Dr. Manjari Miller on India's foreign policy; Yasmin Sayed on refugee resettlement in SW Florida and Lee Schneider on crypto currencies and digital assets.

We think you will agree that this season's lineup offers notable expertise on a wide range of Global Issues. The lectures will be stimulating and thought provoking.

Please note new 5:00 pm start time at Lakewood Ranch.

Thanks go to the G.I. program committee members, Bob Barylski, Mike Boorstein, Beth Cotner, Bob Deutsch, Peter Huber, Craig Kennedy, Bob Lieber, Jorie Lueloff, Jeff Olesen, Bill Smullen, Carmen Stoeckmann, and Kathie Westpheling.

We look forward to welcoming you to our program this year.