| Many Poles live in a near-perpetual state of paranoia. Still, as Andy Grove, the founder of Intel, once
memorably said, “You have to be paranoid to survive”.
Poland has just one national priority – preserving its identity and independence. Its people have history
etched into their DNA, the memories of many invaders who brought their armies across the North
European Plain, the holocaust, the occupation by Nazi Germany, the brutality of Stalin, and the long
years of dominance by the former Soviet Union.
Modern Poland – and indeed it is modern - now looks to its future within the European Union and NATO.
But it is also these two institutions that are responsible for Poland’s current fears about its long-term
security. Can they be trusted? What happens if Russia’s president Vladimir Putin flexes his muscles
even more, and seeks to regain the sway Moscow once held over Warsaw?
Are the Poles right to feel insecure?
Colin Chapman, president of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, Sydney, has just returned
from a ten day visit to Poland as a guest of the Polish government.He met with government officials, defence specialists and think tanks all in a state of angst about the country’s long-term future. Poland has done well in recent years, but its sense of history still makes it
feel insecure.
Colin will describe why the Poles are still cross at the cancellation by President Barack Obama of the
anti-ballistic missile system that was to be built on their soil, and are pressing for a NATO replacement,
and why they want to see American troops in their country. He will explain Warsaw’s efforts to help the European Union survive, and how Russia and France are fostering environmentalist efforts to obstruct the development of Polish shale gas.
Make sure you register to come and listen to Colin on Tuesday, October 2nd at 6pm.
Recommended background reading prior to the meeting: "Blood Lands: Europe between Hitler and
Stalin", by Timothy Snyder and "Poland’s Strategy" by George Friedman.
Date: Tuesday 2 October, 2012
Time: Refreshments 6:00 pm; Presentation 6:30 pm - 7.30pm
Venue: The Glover Cottages, 124 Kent Street, Sydney (located adjacent to the
Kent St Fire Station)
Cost: AIIA members $15; Senior members / student member $10;
Visitors $25; Student Visitors $15
PLEASE RSVP ONLINE or EMAIL ACCEPTANCE to nsw.branch@aiia.asn.au
Payment may be made at the door by cash/cheque/credit card
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