University alumnus Victor Tomseth will give a free public lecture titled “What Went Wrong? The Road to Baghdad” today at 3:30 p.m. in the Adelaide Church Memorial Reading Room at the Knight Library.
Students will also have the opportunity to speak with Tomseth in an informal coffee hour discussion in the International Lounge at 10 a.m.
In his lecture, Tomseth will be addressing relations between the Middle East and the United States and how they’ve deteriorated. Islam, terrorism, international security, world politics and U.S. foreign policy all will be covered in the presentation.
Tomseth has served at U.S. consulates and embassies in many countries throughout his career — Thailand, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Laos — as well as with the State Department in Washington, D.C.
In 1979, he was one of 52 Americans held hostage following the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Iran by Islamic militants. After his release, Tomseth continued his career in foreign diplomacy until retiring in 1996.
Tomseth was one of three University alumni members to be honored with the Profiles in Achievement Award at a banquet Friday. The award is the highest alumni honor given by the College of Arts and Sciences.

— Jennifer Bear