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Dyer not dire about state of our world

Gwynne Dyer will give a lecture in Guelph Tuesday evening on the University of Guelph campus.
Gwynne Dyer Dont panic

Some amount of worry is understandable, given the rise of the Islamic State, the mounting impacts of global warming, and the recent rekindling of Cold War era animosities.

But independent Canadian journalist, syndicated international columnist and military historian Gwynne Dyer, noted for seeing both the positive and negative sides of global affairs, believes it’s not time to panic.

Dyer, who lives in London, England, will attempt to ease worried minds and calm our sense of panic from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday evening during a presentation at the University of Guelph science complex atrium. The free lecture is sponsored by ASTRA (Arts, Science and Technology Research Alliance), the College of Arts, and the University Bookstore.

“Don’t Panic: Isis, Terror, and Today’s Middle East,” is the title of Dyer’s latest book, published last year. In it, and in recent public statements, he has said that terrorism is a relatively minor problem in our world, but is vastly overblown in the media. Escalating bombing campaigns against groups like Isis will only make them stronger.

Dyer is the author over 10 books, many of them having made bestseller’s lists. His twice-weekly syndicated column on international affairs appears in over 175 publications in 45 countries. He is a Gemini winner for his documentary films. One episode of his documentary series “War” was nominated for an Academy Award.

Dyer, 72, was born in Newfoundland, and has a PhD in Military and Middle Eastern History from the University of London.

In his lecture he will explore the current worries of the world, including whether the Islamic State will take over Middle East, if climate change is out of control, and whether we should expect a new Cold War over Russian intervention in Ukraine. 


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Rob O'Flanagan

About the Author: Rob O'Flanagan

Rob O’Flanagan has been a newspaper reporter, photojournalist and columnist for over twenty years. He has won numerous Ontario Newspaper Awards and a National Newspaper Award.
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