Assessing War

Experts Present Discussions on Iraq and Its Impact

April 29, 2008

By Mimi Ko Cruz

Middle East experts like Janice Terry, author of "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East: The Role of Lobbies and Special Interest Groups," will discuss the Iraq war at a May 2 symposium at Cal State Fullerton's Pollak Library.

Organizers said the public forum aims to raise awareness of the war in Iraq and how the war affects the world.

The daylong symposium, sponsored by Cal State Fullerton's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and History and Modern Languages and Literatures departments with funding from a campus Mission and Goals initiative, begins at 9:15 a.m. with introductions by Thomas P. Klammer, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and William W. Haddad, chair and professor of history. Four panels follow:

William W. Haddad

• 9:30-10:45 a.m.: "Iraq, The U.S. and International Law" discussion with Barry Collins, senior lecturer in the school of law at the University of East London; and Janice Terry, professor emerita of modern Middle East history at Eastern Michigan University and author of "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East: The Role of Lobbies and Special Interest Groups."

• 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: "Iraq as Viewed From the United Kingdom and From Palestine" with John Strawson, director of law postgraduate programs at the University of East London; and Ghanda Talhami, D.K. Pearsons professor of politics at Lake Forest College in Illinois.

• 1:30-2:45 p.m.: "How Iraq Impacts Its Region" with Mateo M. Farzaneh, CSUF lecturer in history; and Samer Abboud, assistant professor of political science at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania.

• 3-4:15 p.m.: "Inside 'Liberated' Iraq" featuring Jacqueline S. Ismael, professor of social work at the University of Calgary; Sherreen T. Ismael, assistant professor of social work at Carleton University; and Tareq Ismael, professor of political science at the University of Calgary, secretary general of the International Association of Middle Eastern Studies and editor of the International Journal of Contemporary Iraqi Studies.

The symposium follows a May 1 student research conference, which also is open to the public. That event begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Pollak Library with introductions by Janet L. Eyring, chair and professor of modern languages and literatures, and librarian John Hickok.

Discussions include:

• 10:45 a.m.: "Iran and Dubai: Educational, Linguistic and Religious Issues"

• 11:45 a.m." "Iran and Iraq: Political, Historical and Military Issues"

• 1 p.m.: "Egypt and Afghanistan: Political, Environmental and Social Issues"

• 2 p.m.: Screening of the film "The Kite Runner."