SUNY New Paltz professor named to academic fellowship in terrorism studies

NEW PALTZ — Lewis Brownstein, a professor of political science at the State University of New York at New Paltz, has been named an “Academic Fellow” for 2005 by The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), a non-partisan policy institute headquartered in Washington, D.C. Brownstein will travel to Israel at the end of May for an intensive course in terrorism studies and, in particular, how democracies can defeat the worldwide terrorist threat.

“Terrorism is the greatest threat today to the world’s democracies, including the United States and our allies around the globe,” said Clifford May, president of FDD. “To win the war against terrorism, we must win the war of ideas by promoting democracy and defeating the totalitarian ideologies that drive and justify terrorism.”

The FDD Academic Fellows program provides a 10-day learning experience to U.S. -based teaching and research professionals to provide them with cutting edge information about defeating terrorist groups. The 2005 program, which will be conducted at Tel Aviv University from May 29 to June 8, includes lectures by academics, military and intelligence officials, as well as diplomats from Israel, Jordan, India, Turkey and the United States. It also includes “hands-on” experience through visits to police, customs and immigration facilities, military bases and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists.

Brownstein, chairperson and professor of political science and international relations at New Paltz, has been studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the past 25 years. In that time, he has taught at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and completed six research trips to Israel and the territories. He has written on Israeli foreign policy making and peace process, and lectured widely in the Mid-Hudson region. He teaches courses at New Paltz on terrorism, defense issues, the international relations of the Middle East, American foreign policy and related topics.

“I am very gratified to have been accepted to the FDD program,” said Brownstein. “I am convinced that we will be fighting terrorism for many years to come, and it is my hope and expectation that this study mission will add significantly to my understanding of this issue. I fully intend to integrate what I learn into my classes and public lectures in the years to come.”

Brownstein can be reached at (845) 257-3549.

For more information on the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies or the Academic Fellowship program, please contact Bill McCarthy, director of communications, at (202) 207-0190.

Note to editors: More information and a photo of Lewis Brownstein is available on the SUNY New Paltz Experts Database Web site at www.newpaltz.edu/experts/display.cfm?ID=37.