October 19th Meeting

KENNBUNK — Former U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta will explore “Oil, Gas, Russia, Iran and America” at the Oct. 19 public meeting of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), Maine Chapter.

The only country in the world to border both Russia and Iran, Azerbaijan is important to the United States in terms of oil and natural gas for European and global energy security, as a means for NATO access to Afghanistan as well as for commerce between Europe, China and South Asia. Current policy concerns in the region for the U.S. include China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, the changes in Turkey’s foreign relations, transnational criminal activity and terrorism.

This is the latest in a series of discussions relating to the importance of  Intelligence in current public affairs. The AFIO meeting is open to the public, and will begin  at 2 p.m. at the Program Center of the Brick Store Museum, 4 Dane St., Kennebunk. A question period will follow the presentation.