From Korea to Afghanistan, the U.S. military has waged deadly and costly wars in pursuit of peace. Yet, have these military interventions produced positive, sustainable change?

Ambassador Rick Barton considers this question in his new book, “Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World,” which he will discuss in a public talk on Monday, Oct. 1, at 4:30 p.m. in Princeton University’s Robertson Hall. Barton will be joined in conversation with Caitlin Quinn, Woodrow Wilson School first year MPA student and Scholars in the Nation's Service (SINSI) member. A book sale and signing will follow the discussion.

Mixing stories, history and analysis, Barton draws upon his more than 30 years of work in global conflict, including in 40-plus crisis zones since 1994, ranging from Haiti to Turkey. The book offers a transformative approach to foreign affairs through concrete, attainable solutions: A Q&A with Barton about the book is on the Woodrow Wilson School’s website.

Barton is lecturer of public and international affairs and the co-director of Princeton’s Scholars in the Nation's Service Initiative with Kathryn Lunney. He was the first assistant secretary of state for conflict and stabilization operations (2011-14), U.S. ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in New York (2009-11), senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (2002-9), deputy high commissioner for refugees at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (1999-2001), founding director of USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (1994-9) and a business and political leader in Maine earlier in his career.

This event is co-sponsored with Labyrinth Books. A book sale and signing will follow the discussion.