Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

See the Conversations with History Blog See a webcast of this interview: Telhami See also the 2003 interview with Professor Telhami: "U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East"

This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.

Welcome to a Conversation with History. I'm Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest today is Shibley Telhami, who holds the Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland. His publications include Power and Leadership and International Bargaining: The Path to the Camp David Accords.

1. Background ... growing up in a village ... tension concerning national identity ... influence of father ... egalitarianism
2. Education ... mathematics ... studying abroad ... philosophy and religion in Berkeley ... Kirkegaard ... Mideast visit shifts direction of study ... influence of Kenneth Waltz
3. Conflict and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East ... studying the Camp David accords ... distribution of military and economic power ... exploring the motives of international actors ... juggling theory and policy ... sense of destiny
4. The U.S. Role in the Middle East ... competing U.S. interests ... explaining support for Israel ... understanding how U.S. makes foreign policy ... distribution of power in the U.S. ... think tanks
5. Seeking a Resolution to the Israel - Palestine Conflict ... limits to U.S. role ... politicians follow their constituencies ... changing the political narratives ... powerful acts of leaders
6. Implications of the Events of September 11, 2001 ... tactical maneuvering ... disempowerment of moderate majorities ... the fundamentalist threat to common aspirations ... loss of moderate vision

See Shibley Telhami's biography at the University of Maryland website.

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