This course is hosted by OLLI at Colorado State University (CSU). Participants will be “in course” via Zoom with members from OLLI at CSU.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine now in its fourth year, there is as yet no clear path toward an end to the war. War fatigue is growing in both Ukraine and Russia, as well as with Ukraine’s allies in the West, but the fighting rages on. Trace the path of the war beginning with the initial invasion, focusing on matters such as the levels of support from Ukraine’s allies, the ways in which the Ukrainian military has adapted to warfare while being overwhelmingly outnumbered in terms of personnel and weaponry, the key elements of President Zelensky’s victory plan, the impact of policy changes made by the new American president and Congress, and other relevant factors.

Instructor: Dr. John Olienyk earned his Ph.D. in economics at Colorado State University and served for 37 years as a faculty member in the Department of Finance and Real Estate there, focusing on financial markets and international finance. He has served as a consultant for multinational corporations and as an expert witness in cases involving financial matters. John taught finance and economics in MBA programs in France and Russia and in an undergraduate program in Vietnam. He also participated in a U.S. government–sponsored faculty development program in which he served as a trainer and mentor for young business and economics professors in universities primarily in Ukraine — but also in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia — over a period of twelve years.