Alon Ben-Meir
A Mid-East expert of exceptional knowledge and insight gained through more than 35 years of direct involvement with foreign affairs, Dr. Alon Ben-Meir offers an important perspective on the nature of world terrorism, ethnic conflict and international relations. A noted journalist and author, Dr. Ben-Meir is Middle East Director of the World Policy Institute at the New School for Social Research, and a professor of International Relations and Middle Eastern studies at New York University and at the New School. Born in Baghdad and residing in New York City, he holds a masters degree in philosophy and a doctorate in international relations from Oxford University.
The true nature of international terrorism and strategies for defeating world terrorism are the subject of Dr. Ben-Meir's most recent book, A War We Must Win, published in spring 2004. This collection of Dr. Ben-Meir's writings about terrorism, US foreign policy and the political and social dynamics of the Mid-East contain essays written both prior to and following the attacks of 9/11. An essay from 1976, describing the then-peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, offers a historical perspective on a situation that has seen little change in nearly 40 years. More recent essays provide hands-on guidance for shifting US anti-terrorism policy towards a more effective strategy.
Fluent in Arabic and Hebrew, Dr. Ben-Meir began his career as a journalist. His frequent travels to the Mid-East and conversations with highly placed sources in Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Israel provide him with the highest level of awareness of the developments surrounding breaking news. Dr. Ben-Meir is the author of numerous books, including The Middle East: Imperative and Choices; Israel: The Challenge of the Fourth Decade; In Defiance of Time, Framework for Arab-Israeli Peace, and The Last Option.
His views are often sought by major television and radio networks, and as a public speaker he frequently appears before groups and organizations at venues as varied as world affairs councils and town hall meetings. He also lectures on international relations at a variety of universities in addition to his residency at New York University and the New School.
- SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
- Has the prospect of Israeli-Palestinian peace improved or further deteriorated in the wake of the invasion of Iraq and the ouster of Saddam Hussein.
- What are the sources of the Arab and Muslim hatred toward America and what the United States must do to mitigate it in order to sustain its regional influence and protect its national interest.
- What it would really take to promote democracy and human rights throughout the Middle East and what policies the United State must pursue to contribute to this process.
- Root-causes of international terrorism and is America and its allies are safer or more vulnerable today than before September 11.
- What is the prospect of containing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the danger of failure and the policies the next administration must follow to achieve this objective.
- Why an Israeli-Syrian peace must be on top of the next administration priorities and how such peace could change the geopolitical dynamic of the region for the better.
- Why must administration take a new initiative with the two remaining members of the axis of evil-Iran and North Korea-- to prevent them form becoming nuclear powers or peddler of nuclear material and technology.
- Why has American energy independence become one of the main prerequisites for defeating international terrorism.
- Why multilateral approach to international conflicts is a sin-qua-non to defeating terrorism and how such an approach can enhance rather than diminish U.S. moral authority to lead.