A series of election-oriented events is planned at the Dole Institute of Politics on Kansas University’s west campus.

“Countdown to Election 2004” begins Thursday. Each of the four programs begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The events are:

• “Planning the War in Iraq: An Insider’s View,” Thursday at the Dole Institute. Col. Kevin Benson, director of the School of Advanced Military Studies at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, will discuss military strategy in Iraq.
• Roundtable discussion by a panel of media experts and journalists on “Who Decides the Outcome? The Role of the Media in Election 2004.” The event, Oct. 26 at the Dole Institute, will be moderated by Burdett Loomis, professor of political science.
• Panel discussion on “The People Speak, U.S. Elections: The World is Watching,” Oct. 27 at the Dole Institute.

Panelists will include Harriet Elam-Thomas, former U.S. ambassador to Senegal; Takao Shibata, Japanese consul; Diego Abente Brun, former Paraguayan ambassador to the Organization of American States; and Emizet Kisagani, associate professor of political science at Kansas State University.

• A discussion with David Brooks, New York Times columnist and commentator on “News Hour with Jim Lehrer.” The only event not presented at the Dole Institute, the discussion will be in 120 Budig Hall. Doors will open at 7 p.m.