On the heels of the United States’ military withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Alabama World Affairs Council (ALWAC) will host a video conference discussion on “Afghanistan Then and Now” on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
The event, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be hosted on Zoom, will feature Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Walter Givhan, the ALWAC’s President, and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John A. Bradley.
Registration for the event is available online at www.alwac.org.
Among his career milestones, Gen. Givhan was Commanding General of the Combined Air Power Transition Force charged with rebuilding the Afghan Air Force from September 2008 to September 2009. He was also involved with demining efforts in Afghanistan when he served as Senior Military Official and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Political-Military Affairs Bureau of the State Department from 2012 to 2013.
In addition to high awards and medals from the U.S. government (DSSM, LM, Bronze Star, MSM, AFCM), and the NATO Medal, he received the First Degree Baryal medal from the Afghan government. His career as a liaison to allied forces in conflicts also included medals for the liberation of Kuwait from both the Saudi and Kuwaiti governments, and for his liaison efforts during Desert Shield and Storm, from the French government, the Croix de Guerre.
A native of Safford, Ala., Gen. Givhan is a graduate of the University of the South at Sewanee, and holds two master’s degrees. He served as a Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations and currently serves as Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development at Troy University.
Gen. Bradley, who served extensively in fighter aircraft during combat in Vietnam, has, since his retirement in 2010, led with his wife, Jan, the Lamia Afghanistan Foundation (Lamia.org). Together, they have raised large sums in donations to engage in economic development, education, and humanitarian relief. They have purchased supplies including winter clothing locally and distributed them across several Afghan provinces. As a force multiplier, they have cooperated with like-minded nonprofit groups.
During his Air Force career, Gen. Bradley logged 7,000 hours in aircraft, including the F-4, A-10 and F-16, and 337 combat operations. In addition to numerous high awards and decorations from the U.S., Gen. Bradley received two decorations from the Republic of Vietnam and one from the Kingdom of Kuwait.
A native of Tennessee, Gen. Bradley holds a degree from University of Tennessee and has completed executive leadership courses at both the Kennedy School at Harvard University and the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.
The Alabama World Affairs Council sponsors lectures and programs on current and recent events of national and international interest throughout the year with the aim to increase individuals’ knowledge of world affairs and how they impact the United States. The Council also serves as a platform to showcase some of the world-class faculty at Maxwell Air Force Base’s Air University. The Council has partnered with Troy University, Alabama’s International University, bringing Council events to the University’s Montgomery Campus.
