Newsletter of the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY Fall 2012
Volume 3, Issue 1
Kylan Jones-Huffman Memorial Lectures
Buddhism in Russia
Professors Brannon
Republic of Buryatia. Burya-
tral Asian identity is due to
tia is one of the largest Bud-
the fact that Tibetan reli-
dhist populated regions in
gious and cultural influence
Central Asia and South Sibe-
continues to play a major
ria, also the northernmost
role in the history of these
perimeter of the Buddhist
northern Mongol peoples.
world. Ethnic Buryats still
Traditionally used as a buff-
constitute the largest Bud-
er between the Russian and
dhist population in Russia.
Chinese Manchu Empire
Although annexed by Russia
through a treaty in 1727,
in the
17th
century, the Bur-
the Buryats began a slow
Wheeler and Mark Reese
yat people consider them-
integration into the Russian
participated in the 90th Anni-
selves to be part of a larger
state. In Tsarist Russia Bud-
versary of Russia’s Academy
Turco-Mongol world and
dhists’ activities were sub-
of Sciences, Institute for Ti-
throughout the conference
jected to certain restrictions,
betan, Mongolian, and Bud-
referred to themselves as
as mandated by Orthodox
dhist Studies in Ulan Ude, the
Central Asians. Part of this
capitol of the autonomous
gravitation towards a Cen-
JOSHUA LANDIS– SPECIALIST ON SYRIA
KAMROOZ ARAM– VOICES OF IRANIAN AMERICAN ART
REZA NEGARISTANI– IRANIAN SCIENCE FICTION AUTHOR
Inside this issue: BUDDHISM IN RUSSIA
1
DR. DANIEL ZISENWINE
1
RELIGIOUS PLURALISM
2
ERMIN SINANOVIC
2
IRAQI NAVY
3
WHEELER FULBRIGHT
4
REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA
4-5
Daniel Zisenwine, Tel Aviv University Visiting Scholar
SECULARISTS AND SALAFISTS
6
During the 2012-2013 aca-
politics. His most recent pub-
department. This visiting ap-
JOSHUA LANDIS
7
demic year the Center is
lications focus on Morocco.
pointment is made possible
KAMROOZ ARAM
7
hosting a visiting Israeli schol-
While
by a grant from the Ameri-
REZA NEGARESTANI
8
USELESS ID
8
BABAK RAHIMI
9
CLASS OF 1955 CHAIR
10
at
the
Center,
Continued on page 12
ar at the Naval Academy.
Dr. Zisenwine will teach two
can-Israel Cooperation En-
Professor Daniel Zisenwine
courses in Middle East poli-
terprise (AICE) and a gener-
normally teaches at Tel Aviv
tics for the Political Science
ous gift from the Naval
University in Israel.
department and two courses
Academy’s Friends of the
AFFILIATED FACULTY
11
Dr. Zisenwine is a specialist in
in the history of Israel and
Jewish Chapel.
CONTACT INFORMATION
12
North African history and
North Africa for the History
Newsletter of the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies Summer 2012: The Center Hosts the Institute on Religious Pluralism in America In May the Center hosted the
on the purpose and function
Department of State funded
of USNA, but also on the insti-
program known as the Insti-
tution’s religious environment
tute on Religious Pluralism in
offered to midshipmen as
America. Participants from
well as the long tradition of
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Leba-
religious pluralism within the
non, and Iraq traveled to
US Navy and Marine Corps.
America in order to study the
Most interesting to the visitors
United State’s rich history in
was the fact that the Acade-
religious pluralism. Thirty
my houses both a Synagogue
guests visited the Academy
and Mosque, not just Christian
and took a tour that focused
places of worship.
Faculty Development: Ermin Sinanovic From May 14 to June 28 the
dealt with the role of pivotal
and learn about an im-
Center funded ongoing re-
Muslim states during World
portant historical event and
search in Southeast Asia and
War I and was well received
how its effects are per-
the Balkans conducted by Dr.
by participants. The gather-
ceived in Southeast Asia.
Ermin Sinanovic from the Po-
ing also allowed Dr. Sinanov-
litical Science Department.
ic to meet with Turkish acade-
He engaged in field research
micians who advised him on
on Turkish foreign policy in
the research in his trip to Tur-
the Balkans, Muslim organiza-
key.
tions in Singapore, and Malaysian elections. The first leg of Dr. Sinanovic’s trip was to deliver a paper in Bosnia and Herzegovina at a University of Utah and University of Sarajevo co-sponsored conference focused on “The Ottoman Empire and the First World War.” His paper
Page 2
Dr. Sinanovic also conducted research at several important Muslim organizations in Singapore that included the following: Singa-
In Singapore, Dr. Sinanovic
pore Muslim Religious Coun-
attended a conference orga-
cil (MUIS, Majlis Ugama
nized by the Middle East
Islam Singapura) which is
Institute of the National Uni-
the main Muslim representa-
versity of Singapore on the
tive body, Dar al-Arqam
Arab Uprisings. The confer-
(Muslim Converts’ Associa-
ence examined the ‘Arab
tion), a think tank called
Spring’ from a variety of
Research on Islam and
perspectives. It was an excellent opportunity to network
Continued on page 10
Volume 3, Issue 1 General Mahmood Abdulkareem, Iraqi Navy General Mahmood Radha
ing, and planning for students
Abdulkareem visited the US
in various programs. His pre-
Naval Academy in July to
dominant interaction with the
review the curriculum offered
US Navy and the Office of
by the Academy as a possi-
Security Cooperation-Iraq
ble means in which to train
has been in creating a long-
and reform Iraq’s own service
term strategy for Professional
academies. Since 2011 BG
Military Education (PME) and
Abdulkareem is responsible
IMET program execution.
for both internal and external course scheduling, train-
Faculty Development: Sanaa Sadek Professor of Arabic, Dr. Sa-
level of tolerance Islamist
multidisciplinary, drawing
naa Sadek completed sum-
groups and those who pro-
upon the careful textual anal-
mer research for a proposed
pose liberal democratic soci-
ysis of contemporary thinkers
publication: Religion and
ety have towards each other.
and writers, the situation of
State: Egypt after January
Key to the Islamist political
texts within specific bounded
2011 which will be published
platform is the justification of
circumstances, and criticism
in both Arabic and English.
their political beliefs through
based on analytical theories
interpretation of certain reli-
developed in the fields of
Dr. Sadek traveled to Egypt
gious ideas as a vehicle for
political science, legal and
to identify the political agen-
political and societal change.
literary studies, interviews with key individuals from
das made by a variety of political groups regarding
Dr. Sadek focused upon the
around the country and from
Islam and democracy after
expression of Egyptian voic-
all backgrounds about wheth-
the Arab Spring. Her plan is
es, both written and spoken,
er they believe the new polit-
to ascertain whether those
and their cumulative wisdom
ical powers will address the
claims will be realized or not
and experiences within the
simple needs they fought for
over the next few years in
context of the Middle East’s
in the revolution: bread, free-
Egypt. Key to her research is
long history. The method and
dom, and social justice.
an attempt to measure the
approach in her research is
Page 3
“First improve yourself, and then judge others...” Arab-Hebrew Proverb
Newsletter of the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies Deborah Wheeler Conducts Fulbright Research in Gulf During the Spring semester of
ronment Research Institute in
region. His current research
this academic year, Dr. Deb-
Qatar.
focuses on pre-Islamic pil-
orah Wheeler will be a senior Fulbright fellow at the King Faisal Center for Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies in the United Arab Emirates, the Qatar National
Dr. Wheeler’s research is in the area of food security. She plans to do extensive research in the region, visiting farms and speaking with officials.
Food Security Program and
Dr. Brannon Wheeler will
the Qatar Energy and Envi-
also be doing research in the
grimage sites in the Arabian peninsula. He is also working on a reference work for the Quran and plans to attend conferences on Ibadi Islam in Oman and Poland.
LREC Travel to the Republic of Georgia With generous support from
Joseph Stalin and his NKVD
preparing for the upcoming
the International Programs
Chief Lavrentiy Beria. More
parliamentary elections that
Office, Deputy Director Mark
importantly, Georgia’s role
led to the election of Bidzina
Reese led a group of midship-
in the world has largely
Ivanishvili, a prominent Geor-
men to Tbilisi, Georgia to en-
been defined by its neigh-
gian businessman. The parlia-
gage in three weeks of lan-
bors: Russia to the north, Iran
mentary elections demonstrat-
guage immersion study. The
to the south, Turkey to the
ed a vibrant political life in
Democratic Republic of Geor-
west, and Chechnya to the
Georgia in that citizens felt
gia is a Caucasus state within
East.
free to freely state their po-
the Eurasian landmass and a
litical views and to vote into
key ally to the United States.
Midshipmen, throughout the
A nation of 4.7 million citizens,
three weeks in Georgia,
the mountainous country holds
were able to actively en-
a pastiche of languages, cul-
gage in the local culture of
tures, and ethnic identities that
Tbilisi by living with Geor-
date back to the time of He-
gian host families and travel- pants with sixty hours of lan-
rodotus. Incorporated into the
ing throughout the city enjoy- guage instruction in Russian,
Soviet Union in 1921, the
ing the day-to-day life of its
Georgian, and Chechen. Stu-
Georgians’ contribution to
citizens. During the summer
dents attended lectures on
Soviet history includes both
the local population was
topics related to the Caucasus
power the newly formed Dream party under Ivanishvili’s leadership. Training provided partici-
Cont. Page 9
Page 4
Volume 3, Issue 1 Midshipmen Participate in ASMEA Conference Midshipmen were hosted for
۞Special presentation by
another year at the Association
acclaimed scholar Dr. Gér-
for the Study of Middle East
ard Prunier on “Gaddafi's
and Africa, ASMEA, in Wash-
Downfall and its Impact on
ington, DC. Ongoing interaction
Sub-Saharan Africa.”
with regional specialists helps midshipmen develop as both academics and informed leaders throughout their career. The 2012 conference featured:
New/Old Heroes of Iran," "Christian-Muslim Encounters in the Medieval Middle East," "Israel: Threats Real and Imagined," "Leaders at the Dawn of Post-
۞Opening remarks were
Colonial Africa" and
by H.E. Houda Ezra Nonoo,
many more topics in
Ambassador of the Kingdom
Middle Eastern and Afri-
of Bahrain.
can Studies and related
۞ Panel discussions on "The
disciplines.
Midshipmen Reach out to Wounded Warriors On November 17 eight mid-
trip to Georgia as well as
Security Assistance Force in
shipmen and the Center for
four Georgian exchange mid-
Afghanistan. Their units have
Middle Eastern and Islamic
shipmen attending USNA as-
served without caveat in
Studies Deputy Director Mark
sisted the guests with distinc-
dangerous combat environ-
Reese hosted “Wounded War-
tion throughout the game and
ments key to winning the
riors” from the Republic of
lent great credibility to an
peace in Afghanistan. Ongo-
Georgia at the Navy-Marine
institution that produces un-
ing partnership between the
Corps Memorial Stadium dur-
paralleled military leader-
United States and the Re-
ing Navy’s game versus Texas
ship. Before the game,
public of Georgia is integral
State. Those attending were
Friends of Navy Baseball
to continued democratic re-
Georgian military personnel
hosted the guests at their
form in a strategically im-
who received wounds while
football tailgate party, ex-
portant part of the former
fighting alongside US Marines
posing the Georgian nationals
Soviet Union.
in Helmand Provence, Afghani-
to a form of cultural entertain-
stan, and their families who are
ment unique to American cul-
here to lend moral support
ture.
during their healing process at Walter Reed National Medical Center. The midshipmen who attended last summer’s LREC
The Republic of Georgia has contributed the largest number of military personnel per capita to the International Page 5
Newsletter of the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies Visit by Morocco's IESabroad Mohamed Bagdadi Dr. Mahamed Bagdadi visit-
classes as well as gained
fects on their careers as Na-
ed the United States Naval
insight into the day-to-day
val and Marine Corps offic-
Academy to become better
life of midshipmen through
ers.
acquainted with the unique
the Middle East Studies Club.
nature of the Academy’s mis-
Through the combined effort
sion so that he could better
of the Center’s Affiliated
mold his Arabic language
Faculty members, the Middle
program to the needs of mid-
East Studies Club, and the
shipmen studying during se-
International Programs Of-
mester abroad. Hosted by
fice, Academy midshipmen
the International Programs
are able to develop im-
Office, Dr. Bagdadi attend-
portant language and culture
ed both Arabic and French
skills that have profound ef-
"Between Secularists and the Salafis: The Development and Role of Islamic Centrism before and after the Arab
Page 6
David Warren of the Univer-
of al-Ghazali’s student Yusuf
sity of Manchester’s Depart-
al-Qaradawi, and his attempts in Rashid al-Ghannushi—
ment of Middle Eastern Stud-
to chart a course between
ies provided midshipmen with
outright liberal secularism and famous student and leader of
a brief introduction to the
puritanical Salafism. Now
the al-Nahda (Renaissance)
increasingly important trend
aged 85, al-Qaradawi is
Party which is now the largest
in Muslim religious and politi-
widely considered to be the
in the Tunisian Parliament. Mr.
cal thought known as “Islamic
most respected and authorita- Warren also considered the
Centrism.” Mr. Warren dis-
tive Sunni figure alive today,
careers of such figures as
cussed the movement’s found-
in part due to his prominent
Muhammad Salim al-Awa
er, the Egyptian Muhammad
position on al-Jazeera’s spec-
and Abd al-Munim Abu Futuh,
al-Ghazali (d.1996), and its
tacularly successful satellite
both key candidates in the
origins as a response to the
program Sharia and Life. Mr.
Egyptian Presidential elec-
Algerian civil war, the rise of
Warren mentioned that al-
tions.
fundamentalist terrorism in
Qaradawi has been referred
Egypt in the 1980s, and the
to as the ‘Muslim Pope’ and
growing dominance of Saudi
the ‘Egyptian Khomei-
influenced-Islam. Mr. Warren
ni.’ Finally, the lecture looked
then outlined the tenets of this
to the Arab Spring, the politi-
intellectual school in the work
cal impact of al-Qaradawi’s
thought as seen most clearly perhaps al-Qaradawi’s most
Volume 3, Issue 1 KJH Lecture: Joshua Landis On September 6-7, Dr. Josh-
knowledge not only of con-
ua Landis of the University of
temporary events but also of
Oklahoma visited the USNA
the historical and religious
and familiarized midshipmen
roots of the Alawite-Sunni
with the day-to-day changes
divide that promises to offer
in Syria, the roots of the cur-
no short term solution to the
rent civil war, and the poten-
violence. Throughout the day,
tial outcomes of that bloody
Dr. Landis, visited classrooms,
conflict. Speaking to a full
attended noon-time for-
audience in Mahan Auditori-
mation, had lunch in King
um, Dr. Landis provided mid-
Hall, and met with faculty
shipmen with an in-depth
members affiliated with the
Center. Joshua Landis teaches modern Middle Eastern history and politics and writes on Syria and its surrounding countries. He writes Syria Comment, a daily newsletter on Syrian politics that attracts 3,000 readers a day, enjoying a world-wide audience.
KJH Lecture: Kamrooz Aram On October 9, the Center
Eastern identity. Beginning
decorative art which modern
hosted Iranian-American visu-
the lecture with the seminal
classically trained artists find
al artist Kamrooz Aram as
work by Edward
pejorative.
part of the Kylan Jones-
Said, Orientalism, Mr. Aram
Huffman Memorial lecture
used the main theme of the
series. Attended by approxi-
book to show the prevailing
mately fifty midshipmen and
depiction within western aca-
faculty members, the lecture
demia in the eighteenth and
provided a thoughtful synthe-
nineteenth centuries of Mid-
sis of critical theory, art tech-
dle Eastern populations as
nique, and insight into Middle
naive and only capable of
Mr. Aram then proceeded throughout the lecture to show his works that attempt to play upon tensions within the East-West divide to create art that challenges commonly held biases in both cultures.
In Memoriam: LT Kylan Jones-Huffman, USNR, died 21 Aug., 2003, in Al Hillah, Iraq while o voluntary TAD from US Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain to brief the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. He was 31 years old. LT Jones-Huffman was born 20 April, 1972 in Santa Cruz, CA, the son of James and Dagmar Huffman. In 1990 he graduated from the York School in Monterey, CA, and entered the Naval Academy. He was 26th Co. and graduated in 1994, having already begun work on his MA in History at the University of Maryland. He was an honors graduate in History from USNA, and one of his undergraduate papers won the Phi Alpha Theta prize for the regional and an Honorable Mention in national competition. After LT Jones-Huffman’s graduation from USNA he returned to California to marry his high school sweetheart, Heidi Jones. After completing his MA at Maryland, he reported to the USS Ingham out of Everett, WA. In 1997, he joined the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Raven inspired some his best Haiku. He returned to USNA in 1999 for two years as an instructor in the History Dept. He taught a course on the Persian Wars, and worked on preparing his prize winning Phi Alpha Theta paper and his Haiku for publication. His poetry reached print in two prominent Haiku journals and a number of on-line collections. It has since inspired a suite by a Romanian composer. LT Jones-Huffman was broadly interested in cultures around the world and had a spectacular ability to learn languages. He spoke fluent German, Persian, and Arabic, along with some Turkish and Japanese. He had been admitted to George Washington University’s Ph.D. program in Near Eastern Studies, where he planned to study Turkish history, shortly before his death. Page 7
Newsletter of the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies KJH Lecture: Reza Negarestani On November 27 Iranian-
novel persists as the best me-
tions residing in that region
American Philosopher and
dium in which to portray to an
often fail to achieve an un-
Science Fiction author Reza
audience the abstract quality
derstanding as well. Further-
Negarestani delivered the
of his philosophical system. In
more, Negarestani attempts
final KJH lecture of the fall
his novel he portrays Oil as a
through his writing to show
semester. Drawing upon a
sentient being that ties togeth-
that axiomatic terms—such as
long tradition of Iranian nar-
er the disparate strands of
the Middle East—often used
rative style, literary and so-
historical memory that resides
casually by observers of so-
cial criticism, and philosophy,
in the Middle East. From this
cial phenomena are in fact
the speaker delivered a nu-
abstract literary device he is
problematic and do not re-
anced lecture on his novel
able to show how not only
flect reality.
Cyclonopedia. The author ar-
westerners misunderstand the
gues that the Science Fiction
Middle East, but also popula-
Israeli Punk Band: Useless ID On October 22nd, the Israeli
how they manage to concen-
cation from the World, and
punk band USELESS ID visited
trate on life as seen through
2005's Redemption. After the
the United States Naval Acad- musical expression. The youth
follow-up, 2008's The Lost
emy to deliver a lecture on the and humor of the band mem-
Broken Bones, and collabo-
unique nature of being a punk
bers allowed midshipmen to
ration with Muki (the lead
band in Israel and sang one
decompress during a hectic
singer/rapper from Shabak
of their songs, unplugged, for
schedule and learn a new as-
Samech) the group signed to
those in attendance. Midship-
pect of Israeli culture.
Fat Wreck Chords for
men gained insight into the
Formed in Haifa, Israel, in
2012's Symptoms. Featured
beliefs and concerns of Israeli
1994, USELESS ID is one of the in the film Jericho’s
youth, and were exposed to a
few Israeli punk bands to ex-
Echo, their lyrics reflect the
more nuanced view of a re-
perience major success in the
angst felt among youth who
gion often depicted by world
US and around the world. In
live in a region constantly
media as mired in intractable
1999, they got their first big
wracked with conflict.
political and violent confronta- break, when Atari's front-man tion. Two of the band mem-
Kris Roe invited them to record
bers delivered a painful truth
a split record for Kung Fu Rec-
that, at times, their own fans
ords. That label re-
perish through violent conflict,
leased USELESS ID's next three
and yet the band explained
albums: 2001's Bad Story, Happy Ending, and 2003’s No Va-
Page 8
Volume 3, Issue 1 Republic of Georgia LREC cont. from world-renowned aca-
Maj. Thoderopolous from the
ical outline, intensive vo-
demics and strategic ana-
United States Embassy ar-
cabulary acquisition, and
lysts. The program included
ranged a field visit to the USMC cultural considerations
excursions to cultural events,
training facility where midship-
inherent in languages
historical and religious sites
men were exposed to the US-
studied. It must be noted
as well as to the Georgian
MC’s embedded training efforts. that all three languages
National Defense Academy and American Corners. While in Georgia, Mr. Reese delivered a short presentation with the United States Air Force Academy on service academies in America.
Midshipmen and Mr. Reese completed course offerings with “flying colors” as assessed by the host organization American Councils. Course work was comprised of a complete review of the target languages’ grammat-
are considered extremely difficult, but throughout the three weeks all students were able to perform basic to intermediate functions in the languages studied.
Babak Rahimi: Social Media in the Middle East Dr. Babak Rahimi is Associate
and politics and regularly
the Humanities and Jean
Professor of Communication,
writes on contemporary Iraqi
Monnet Fellowship at the
Culture, and Religion at the
and Iranian politics. His
European University Institute,
Department of Literature,
book, Theater-State and For-
and was a Senior Fellow at
University of California, San
mation of the Early Modern
the United States Institute of
Diego. He received his Ph.D.
Public Sphere in Iran: Studies
Peace, Washington DC,
from the European University
on Safavid Muharram Rituals,
2005-2006. Dr. Rahimi’s
Institute in Florence, Italy, in
1590-1641 C.E., studies the
current research project is
October 2004. Dr. Rahimi
relationship between ritual,
on the relationship be-
also studied at the University
social space, and state pow-
tween digital culture, politics,
of Nottingham, where he ob-
er in early modern Iranian
and religion.
tained a M.A. in Ancient and
history. He has been a visit-
Medieval Philosophy, and the
ing scholar at the Internet
London School of Economics
Institute at the University of
and Political Science, where
Oxford, and the Annenberg
he was a Visiting Fellow at
School for Communication at
the Department of Anthropol-
the University of Pennsylva-
ogy from 2000 to 2001. Dr.
nia. He has been also the
Rahimi has written numerous
recipient of fellowships from
articles on culture, religion,
the National Endowment for Page 9
Newsletter of the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies Class of 1955 Chair of Middle East Studies- Ambassador John Limbert Ambassador Limbert, the cur-
oped over decades of ser-
rent Class of 1955 Chair for
vice to the US Department of annual leadership banquet
Middle Eastern Studies, con-
State. His activities this past tinues to make significant con- fall semester include: tributions to the development ۞September 27: Spoke at of midshipmen through both Saginaw Valley State Uniclassroom instruction and makversity (Michigan) in the ing available to midshipmen "Dow Speaker Series" on and faculty the unparalleled "Roles and Responsibilities in experience and access develModern Times".
۞October 1: Spoke at the of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) in Washington DC. ۞June: Wrote article titled “5 Reasons US Must Avoid War with Iran.” CSM, Jan 2012
Sinanovic cont. from page 2. Malay Affairs (RIMA), and the While finishing his trip to Association of Muslim Profes- Southeast Asia he was able
ish foreign policy in the Balkans. He was able to obtain
sionals (AMP). Dr. Sinanovic
to stop in Malaysia where he
research materials written
was able to gain deeper in-
gathered information on the
only in Bosnian and visit sev-
sight into the challenges Mus-
upcoming Malaysian elec-
eral local research institutions,
lim communities face in South-
tions.
interview several Bosnian
east Asia.
The next leg of his trip was
academicians, politicians, and
Dr. Sinanovic also delivered
dedicated to research on
NGO activists.
two lectures in Singapore. The
Turkish foreign policy in the
first was “Islamic Political
Balkans first in general and
Thought after the Arab Upris-
then particularly in Bosnia
ings,” at the Middle East Insti-
and Herzegovina. In addi-
tute of the National University
tion to obtaining necessary
of Singapore on May 29 and
literature written in Bosnian
the second was “Muslim Mi-
and visiting several local
norities and the Prospect of
research institutions, he inter-
Integration: Perspectives from
viewed and met with several
Europe, North America, and
local academicians, politi-
Southeast Asia,” at the Center
cians, and NGO activists.
for Research on Islam and
Completing his trip in Turkey,
Malay Affairs (RIMA) in May.
Dr. Sinanovic was able to
Page 10
continue his research on Turk-
The Center’s support for the professional development of its affiliated faculty makes a significant contribution to innovation in the classroom. Midshipmen benefit greatly from Dr. Sinanovic’s research in the courses he teaches related to his area of inquiry: FP358 – Politics of Southeast Asia, FP369 – Middle Eastern Politics, and FP469 – Islam and Politics.
Volume 3, Issue 1 Faculty Affiliated with CMEIS Affiliated Faculty ۞Dr. Hayden Bellenoit, History
South Asia
۞Dr. Hezi Brosh, Language Studies
Arabic and Hebrew Language
۞Dr. Thomas Burgess, History
Africa
۞Dr. Clarissa Burt, Language Studies
Arabic Language and Literature
۞Dr. Salwa Elgebaly, Language Studies
Arabic Language
۞CAPT Mark Hagerott, History
South Asia
۞Dr. Wayne Hsieh, History
Military History
۞Dr. Gabriel N. Karpouzian, Aerospace Eng
Contemporary Middle East
۞Dr. Elizabeth Knutson, Language Studies
Franco-Arab Studies
۞AMB John Limbert, Class of 1955 Chair
Iran and Middle East
۞CAPT Jeff Macris, USN, History
Gulf and Middle East
۞LTJG Ayman, Mottaleb, Language Studies
Arabic Language
۞Ms. Jocelyn Owens, Language Studies
Arabic Language
۞Dr. Helen Purkitt, Political Science
Africa Studies
۞Mr. Mark Reese, DepDir, CMEIS
Central Asia
۞CDR Thomas Robertson, History
COIN, Irregular Warfare
۞Dr. Sanaa Sadek, Language Studies
Arabic Language
۞Dr. Thomas Sanders, History
Russia and Central Asia
۞Dr. Ermin Sinanovic, Political Science
Southeast Asia and Islam
۞Dr. Joseph Thomas, Leadership
Military Ethics
۞Dr. Ernest Tucker, History
Islamic Civilization and History
۞Dr. Brian VanDeMark
US Diplomatic and Political History
۞Mr. Steve Ward, Leadership
Contemporary Middle East
۞Dr. Brannon Wheeler, Director, CMEIS
Islam and History of Religions
۞Dr. Deborah Wheeler, Political Science
Contemporary Middle East
Recent Faculty Curriculum Development ۞Mark Reese– Currently developing course material on the Caucuses in Georgia and Uzbekistan ۞Ernie Tucker– Middle East History textbook ۞Brian VanDeMark– Recent publication of American Sheikhs ۞Deborah Wheeler– Continues research on Food Security issues through a Fulbright in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE ۞Ermin Sinanovic– Turkish and Israeli investment in Bosnia, and Islamist politics in Malaysia ۞Clarissa Burt– Research on pre-Islamic Arabic in Oman ۞Brannon Wheeler– Buddhism in Russia and History of Judaism course in Korea, Cambodia and China
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Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY 106 Maryland Avenue Annapolis, MD 21402 Phone 410-293-2993 Fax 410-293-2994 Email: cmeis@usna.edu
In its seventh year the Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies con nues to enhance the educaonal opportuni es of midshipmen through suppor ng interna onal and regional study, curricular innova on, fleet ac vi es, and as a center for resources on all aspects of the Middle East and the cultures historically related to the region. Since its incep on, the Center has hosted close to 150 lectures reaching an es mated 25,000 midshipmen. Faculty affilia on with the Center has grown to more than 24, from six academic departments, who have developed more than 50 new courses and traveled to dozens of countries in the region and around the world in support of their teaching.
Buddhism in Russia, continued from first page Christian patriarchs. Buddhist Lamas were monitored by local NKVD and subordinated to the Governor General of Buryatia. Regulations for the Lamas—Buddhist clergy—were introduced in 1853. After the Bolshevik Revolution, Buryats and their brother Mongols were pivotal in offsetting Chinese incursions into Russian territory and spreading communism among the Buddhist and Tibetan peoples. Throughout the conference this background was a living history to those participants from both Moscow and Buryatia as they remembered founders of their institutions, performed ceremonies in their memory, and toasted them during festivities. The conference itself boasted a wide array of participants ranging from Tibet, India, Russia, Mongolia, Central Asia, Korea, Japan and Hungary. Professors Wheeler and Reese were the only Americans in attendance at the conference. Professor Wheeler was featured as the first speaker for his panel and spoke on the footprints of the Buddha in comparison with the relics of the prophet Muhammad in Is-
CENTER FOR MIDDLE lam. Professor Reese delivered his paper on the relationship between sedentary and nomadic peoEAST AND ISLAMIC ples as depicted in O’tgan Kunlar, a current translation project to be completed in 2013. STUDIES
Professors Wheeler and Reese were treated to a special visit to the main Ivolga Datsan (Buddhist complex) in Buryatia. The Datsan serves as a primary institution of learning in the Russian
Director Brannon Wheeler 410-293-6307 bwheeler@usna.edu Deputy Director Mark Reese 410-293-2990 reese@usna.edu Administrative Manager Christopher Simpson 410-293-2993 csimpson@usna.edu
www.usna.edu/MiddleEast
Federation for Lamas, a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, and a sacred area since the main palace houses the “the Incorruptible One,” a “living Buddha” named his holiness Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov, 18521927, who Buddhists believe is preserved in a state of Nirvana. Very few westerners are granted entry into the tomb area and it stood out as a highlight of the trip. The trip concluded with a visit to a UNESCO site where Genghis Khan defeated the Merget tribes unifying the Mongol tribes for expansion into Central Asia and an Old Believers village—a branch of Russian Orthodoxy exiled to Siberia for not accepting reforms within the Orthodox Church in the 12th century. Both participants are developing materials for future course offerings in both History and Political Science Departments.