Scott Ritter: Is Tehran the next Baghdad? Credit: Photo by David Shankbone

For those of you starting to think that Barack Obama is the only game in town, you can make other plans for tonight: Scott Ritter, the former United Nations chief weapons inspector in Iraq as part of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM), will be in Austin as part of the U.S Tour of Duty.

Ritter and Iraq Veterans Against the War member Hart Viges be at the Friends Meeting House, 3701 E. MLK, Jr., at 7.30pm, to discuss U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and take part in a Q&A. The event is sponsored by IVAW and Code Pink, and a $10 donation is suggested.

Ritter, if you need reminding, was the expert that said before the 2003 invasion of Iraq that the US was abusing their reports to legitimize ‘regime change.’ He was also the expert who explained how Iraq’s non-compliance with UN restrictions was not the same as having a working weapon’s program. Recently, he’s been concentrating on U.S. policy towards Iran, and why, as he said, “We are seeing history repeat itself.”

This article appears in February 22 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.