With the U.S. on the brink of war, the former Middle East Branch Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will discuss U.S. policy in Syria Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon at Café Américain in Baton Rouge.

Col. Phil St. Amant II served as an Army officer for 30 years, specializing in the Middle East and North Africa.

Col. St. Amant will speak on U. S. national security interests in Syria and the Middle East, Turkey, Iran, and Russia.

The reception will begin at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at 12 noon.

St. Amant, a native of Baton Rouge, is a graduate of West Point. He was commander the U. S. Observer Group in Lebanon, served in Eqypt, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, and was a member of the U. N. Supervision Group during the Palestinian civil war.

The Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon is sponsored by the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish. The meeting is open to registered Republicans, guests, and members of the media. Lunch is $15 and no charge for members of the media.

Café Américain is located at 7521 Jefferson Hwy. in Baton Rouge. No reservations are necessary.