Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
Presents an Asian Voices Seminar

with

Dr. Junko Kato
Professor of Political Science, University of Tokyo

Discussants

Mr. Steven Clemons
Director, American Strategy Program and Senior Fellow, New America Foundation

Dr. Ellis Krauss
Professor of Japanese Politics and Policymaking and Director of Japanese Studies University of California, San Diego

Moderator

Dr. G. John Ikenberry
Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs,
Princeton University

light lunch served at 11:30, event begins at 12:00

The newly participatory nature of the Internet – sometimes called ‘Web 2.0’ – has revolutionized political conversation across the nation. Presidential campaigns now invite supporters to assemble and vote for television ads, money pours in through small-dollar donations, and the rise of blogging has strengthened the voice of ordinary Americans. However, given Washington’s sometimes hidebound culture, the impact of these developments on the policy process remains unclear. To what degree does the blogosphere impact debates over foreign policy? How will Web 2.0 evolve inside the Beltway? To discuss these issues and more, please join Steven Clemons, Senior Fellow and Director of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation.

The discussion will be held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 17th. To attend, please register by responding to events@ypfp.org with your name and affiliation.

The Next American Century
How the US Can Thrive As Other Powers Rise

Featuring the two authors of The Next American Century:

Nina Hachigian, Senior Vice President at the Center for American Progress, Visiting Scholar of the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University
Mona Sutphen, Managing Director at Stonebridge International LLC

Moderated by:
David Sanger, Chief Washington Correspondent, New York Times
 

The rise of other global powers is most often posed as a sorry tale, full of threats to America's primacy, prosperity, and way of life. The potential loss of our #1 status implies a blow to our safety, economy, and prestige.

Brown Bag Lunchtime Discussion with Glenn Kessler

Glenn Kessler, Diplomatic correspondent for the Washington Post and Author of The Confidante: Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy

Tuesday, January 22, 2008
12:00 pm-1:30 pm
B1 Conference Center
1800 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006

 The Center for National Policy
invites you to a policy discussion entitled

The Syrian Nuclear Mystery:
Implications for the Region

featuring

David Albright
Institute for Science and International Security

and

Robin Wright
The Washington Post

Tuesday, January 22 from noon-1:30pm

A light lunch will be served; space will be limited.
Location:
Center for National Policy One Massachusetts Ave., NWThird Floor, Suite 333Washington, DC 20001

To RSVP click here.

The Center for National Policy

invites you to a policy discussion entitled

Securing the Islamic Bomb: Pakistan's Nuclear Controls
 featuring

Kenneth Luongo
Partnership for Global Security

and

George Perkovich
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Wednesday, January 23 from noon-1:30pm

A light lunch will be served; space will be limited.
Location:
Center for National Policy One Massachusetts Ave., NWThird Floor, Suite 333Washington, DC 20001

To RSVP click here.

The Project on Middle East Democracy and the International Republican Institute present:

As macro-level security challenges dominate the news headlines and the policy debate over Iraq, another layer of activity has received scant attention: the efforts by a range of actors to promote local democratic development in various parts of the country.

Notwithstanding disagreements about the US presence in Iraq, there is broad agreement about the need to promote effective, transparent, representative governance in Iraq today - at the local as much as the national level. Functioning local political systems can support non-violent reconciliation and negotiation, improve government service provision, and enhance the pool of political leadership. But how can US actors best support local democratic development? What obstacles do their initiatives face? What types of programs have been effective in promoting these goals over the past 4 years, and what initiatives have seen less success? How might these programs be affected by various troop withdrawal scenarios? And what lessons can be drawn for future post-conflict reconstruction efforts?

LEBANON: The FORGOTTEN CRISIS

A Saban Center Special Policy Forum with

Jeffrey Feltman
US Ambassador, Lebanon

Bilal Y. Saab
Senior Research Assistant, Saban Center at Brookings

David Schenker
Senior Fellow and Director of Arab Politics Program, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Nadim Shehadi
Associate Fellow, Chatham House

Moderator:
Martin Indyk
Director and Senior Fellow, Saban Center at Brookings

Thursday, January 24, 2008
10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C.

United Technologies CEO George David to Speak at JHU SAIS

George David, chairman and chief executive officer of United
Technologies Corporation (UTC), will give the next speech of the W. P.
Carey Global Leader Lecture Series at the Johns Hopkins University Paul
H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) on Thursday,
January 24 at 12:30 p.m.

David will speak about a range of issues, including innovative
technology, productivity and performance, and social responsibility. UTC
is a global technology corporation with a long history of pioneering
innovation in aerospace, aviation, climate control, elevator design and
hydrogen fuel cells.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in Kenney
Auditorium located on the first floor of the school’s Nitze Building,
1740 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Members of the public
should RSVP to saisevents@jhu.edu or 202.663.5636.

Members of the media who plan to cover the event should respond to
 Felisa Neuringer Klubes at the SAIS Communications Office at
 202.663.5626 or fklubes@jhu.edu.

The USIP Liberia Working Group and The Initiative for Inclusive Security cordially invite you to a public event:

Integrating Women into Liberia's New Security Forces

Date: Thursday, January 24, 2008

Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: U.S. Institute of Peace
2nd Floor Conference Room
1200 17th St, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Get Directions

Overview

Liberia's history of armed conflict and military dictatorship mandate a renewal of civil-military relations. As such, Liberia's security sector reform not only includes the rebuilding and retraining of the national army and police, but also endeavors to reach out to women to join its ranks - the Sirleaf administration has set a goal of 20 percent women in the police and military. Female officers are particularly instrumental in combating gender-based crimes, which experts stress are at very high levels as a result of Liberia's long civil war. However, women face unique challenges in joining the security forces - such as a lower level of education and negative experiences with past security forces. How are the Liberian government and international community addressing these challenges? How are women being encouraged to join the security forces? How can women's involvement in security sector reform help change the image of the security forces?

We're all excited for the YPFP Party at Station 9, from 7 to 10 PM on Thursday. I hope you're already planning to come. Bring a friend!

Advanced registration for tonight's event is now closed. Guests may register for $20 at the door.

Still need a reason to attend? We have five:

1. Washingtonian Magazine listed the party as a top pick!

2. SEVEN past speakers have promised to attend!

Where else can you meet people who have run top secret CIA missions behind the Iron Curtain, inspected Iraq for biological weapons, advised the President on China policy, helped train the Iraqi military as a Special Forces soldier, write a top beltway blog, the WashingtonNote?

3. Over TWO HUNDRED young professionals will be there from the Hill, State, Defense, intel, think tanks, media, non-profits, business, and the military

4. Great Drink Specials and hors d'oeuvres

5. Best opportunity to support YPFP, a dynamic and growing non-profit helping young people to advance in careers of public service and international affairs! www.ypfp.org

Here are the details:
Thursday, Jan. 24, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM (or later!)
Station 9
1438 U St., NW
Washington, DC
Nearby Metro Stop: U St. (1 block away!)

"Enjoy a cocktail fundraiser with DC's ambitious and dynamic Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. With a membership base of over 1,500 across DC, NYC and London, there will be ample opportunity to talk politics, international affairs, and the DC scene!"

Please contact Laura Gavinski (contribute@ypfp.org) with questions.

Cost: $20 at the door
Advanced registration for tonight's event is now closed. Guests may register for $20 at the door.
Cash Bar
Formal Business Attire

German Labor Market Reforms and their Impact on Workers
with
Dr. Gustav Horn
Research Director, Institute for Marco-Economic Studies of the Boeckler Foundation
German Government official (TBD)

In 2003, the German government instituted labor market reforms by removing protections cherished by workers and criticized by employers. In April 2003, 500,000 workers demonstrated against the reforms. This debate will examine the impact of those reforms on the lives of working families.

Monday, January 28, 2008
10:00 AM - Noon
at EPI
1333 H Street NW,
Suite 300, East Tower
Washington, DC 20005

2008 WOMEN’S FOREIGN POLICY GROUP MENTORING FAIR


For undergraduate students, graduate students and young professionals interested in international affairs

• Network informally in roundtable discussions with senior-level international affairs experts
• Learn about the skills required in the global job market
• Listen to valuable career advice and internship guidance
• Fields represented include NGOs, International Organizations, National Security, U.S. Department of State, & International Law

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 28th DUE TO LAST MINUTE SCHEDULING CHANGES.
We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that those who were planning on attending Thursday's event will still be able to at the new time.

Young Professionals in Foreign Policy is pleased to present you the second in a non-partisan series of events that aim to offer our members rare insight into the presidential campaign process as it unfolds. These events are not opportunities to showcase particular candidates, but to talk to the influential foreign policy advisors of Republican and Democratic campaigns about their experiences and opinions, the challenges of life on the campaign trail, the complex interactions between domestic politics and foreign policy, and the momentous choices that will face the next President.

The second installment in the series is Derek Chollet, the Foreign Policy Coordinator for Senator John Edwards' presidential campaign and a veteran of presidential campaigns, Congress, and the U.S. State Department. To attend, please register by e-mailing events@ypfp.org with your name and affiliation

Reverse Brain Drain for the Middle East
Tuesday, January 29 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Progress on the Korean Peninsula
Tuesday, January 29 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm

with

Dr. Marcus Noland
Senior Fellow, Peter G. Peterson Institute for Economics

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

Please join us on January 29th for two events with Marcus Noland, senior fellow at the Peter G. Peterson Institute for Economics.  First, as part of a larger Carnegie Council event, Dr. Noland will examine reversing brain drain in the Middle East as a potential strategy for spurring entrepreneurship and strengthening the region's links to the global economy. Outside the booming energy sector, indicators of potential growth for the Arab economies in the Middle East are weak. Reversing brain drain contributed to the blossoming of the high tech sector in economies such as Taiwan and India and holds possibilities for the Middle East.
Afterward, Dr. Noland will join the Carnegie New Leaders and YPFP New York exclusively for an informal discussion of the latest developments in Northeast Asian security and the six-party talks. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Both events will be held at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. To attend, please register by emailing Danielle Candy at dcandy@cceia.org with your name and affiliation.

The Growing Chinese Influence in Africa

Speaker: Ambassador David Shinn, Adjunct Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University

Tuesday, January 29, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Lindner Family Commons, Room 602, 1957 E Street, NW

Sponsored by: Delta Phi Epsilon: The Professional Foreign Service Fraternity

No RSVP Necessary.

NATO's New Troubles: Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Future of the Alliance

POLICY FORUM
Thursday, January 31, 2008
11:00 AM (Luncheon to Follow)

Featuring Stanley Kober, Research Fellow in Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute; Susan Eisenhower, Chairman Emeritus, The Eisenhower Institute; Lawrence S. Kaplan, Emeritus Director of the Lemnitzer Center for NATO and European Union Studies, Kent State University; Jeremy Shapiro, Fellow and Director of Research, Center on the United States and Europe, The Brookings Institution.

The Mind of the Terrorist: The Psychology of Terrorism from the IRA to al-Qaeda

Speaker: Dr. Jerrold M. Post, Director of the Political Psychology Program, George Washington University; author of The Mind of the Terrorist

Copies of The Mind of the Terrorist will be available for purchase at this event.

Thursday, January 31, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Lindner Family Commons, Room 602, 1957 E Street, NW

Sponsored by: the Elliott School of International Affairs and the Security Policy Studies Program

Please RSVP to rsvpesia@gwu.edu.

World Affairs Council of DC

Foreign Policy Series Event - January 31, 2008
 
Kosovo: A New East-West Crisis
 
 Janusz Bugajski
Director of the New European Democracies Project at CSIS
 
Michael Haltzel (Moderator)
Senior Fellow, Center for Transatlantic Relations, Johns Hopkins University SAIS
 
Daniel Serwer
Vice President, Center for Post-Conflict Peace and Stability Operations at the United States Institute of Peace
 
Dimitri Simes
Founding President of the Nixon Center
 
Kosovo is widely expected to declare independence from Serbia following elections on January 20th. This distinguished panel of experts will discuss the ramifications of this move on Europe, Russia, the United Nations and the U.S. and explore the potential for a new East-West crisis.
 
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
6:30-8:00 pm
 
1800 K Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20006
 Conference Room B1
 
Members: $10 Non-Members: $15 Students/Interns: Free
A light reception will follow the discussion.
Sign Up Now Sign Up Now

Event InformationWhen

Friday, February 01, 2008
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Where

Room 603
American University Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Map

Contact: Office of Special Events & Continuing Legal Education, American University Washington College of Law

E-mail: secle@wcl.american.edu

America Abroad Media and CNN Turk present...

“America’s Funniest Muslim: Muslim Life in America...With a sense of humor”

Join CNN Turk’s Mithat Bereket for a televised town hall event, featuring a performance and Q&A with comedian Azhar Usman.

Called “The Ayatollah of Comedy,” Azhar Usman is the co-founder of the critically acclaimed comedy troupe, “Allah Made Me Funny.” A well known lecturer, activist and authority on Muslim American issues, the BBC observed that Usman and his troupe aim to “counter the negative stereotypes and attitudes about Muslims and Arabs by poking fun at themselves, their communities and the prejudices they face.”

America Abroad Media and CNN Turk present...

“America’s Funniest Muslim: Muslim Life in America...With a sense of humor”

Join CNN Turk’s Mithat Bereket for a televised town hall event, featuring a performance and Q&A with comedian Azhar Usman.

Called “The Ayatollah of Comedy,” Azhar Usman is the co-founder of the critically acclaimed comedy troupe, “Allah Made Me Funny.” A well known lecturer, activist and authority on Muslim American issues, the BBC observed that Usman and his troupe aim to “counter the negative stereotypes and attitudes about Muslims and Arabs by poking fun at themselves, their communities and the prejudices they face.”

America Abroad Media and CNN Turk present...

“America’s Funniest Muslim: Muslim Life in America...With a sense of humor”

Join CNN Turk’s Mithat Bereket for a televised town hall event, featuring a performance and Q&A with comedian Azhar Usman.

Called “The Ayatollah of Comedy,” Azhar Usman is the co-founder of the critically acclaimed comedy troupe, “Allah Made Me Funny.” A well known lecturer, activist and authority on Muslim American issues, the BBC observed that Usman and his troupe aim to “counter the negative stereotypes and attitudes about Muslims and Arabs by poking fun at themselves, their communities and the prejudices they face.”

As Washington, America, and the rest of the world ready for a new administration, questions abound over the fate of the War on Terror. In 1953, Containment’s torch passed from Truman to Eisenhower; will President Bush’s construct survive the transition? How has Al Qaeda evolved and where is it heading? What new strategies – if any – should be pursued to deal with these developments? What does victory look like and how will we achieve it? To discuss these issues and more, please join Peter Bergen, Schwartz Senior Fellow at New America Foundation.
The discussion will be held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6th. To attend, please register by responding to events@ypfp.org with your name and affiliation.

America Abroad Media and CNN Turk present...

“America’s Funniest Muslim: Muslim Life in America...With a sense of humor”

Join CNN Turk’s Mithat Bereket for a televised town hall event, featuring a performance and Q&A with comedian Azhar Usman.

Called “The Ayatollah of Comedy,” Azhar Usman is the co-founder of the critically acclaimed comedy troupe, “Allah Made Me Funny.” A well known lecturer, activist and authority on Muslim American issues, the BBC observed that Usman and his troupe aim to “counter the negative stereotypes and attitudes about Muslims and Arabs by poking fun at themselves, their communities and the prejudices they face.”

Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC)

Russia Working Group (RWG)

Briefing:

Human Rights Crisis in Russia:

Crackdown on Democracy Leaders Continues

Featuring

Prominent Russian Human Rights Activist

Lev Ponomarev

Thursday, February 7

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

The World Affairs Council of Washington DC in cooperation with the World Affairs Councils of America invites Council Members to a Distinguished Speaker Series featuring

Vincente Fox
Former President of Mexico

Amb. Jim Jones
Chairman, World Affairs Councils of America (Moderator)

With increasing relationships between U.S. and Mexico, both U.S. and Mexican policymakers will look to a new U.S. presidency in order to address ongoing issues that will affect both states. Former President Vicente Fox of Mexico will discuss the choices facing Mexico with a new U.S. presidency and what needs to be addressed to build a strong U.S.-Mexico relationship, including issues such as immigration, economic policy, and energy. What will the future hold for U.S.-Mexican relations? What concerns must be addressed by the next administration? Please join the World Affairs Council of Washington DC and the World Affairs Councils of America as Former President Fox presents his keynote luncheon address and delivers his advice and recommendations for the new presidency to solve present problems to ensure a better future for Mexico.

RSVP required

China has gone from the ranks of the developing countries to becoming a major player in Africa. China's entry into international development provides new resources for developing countries, as well as leverage with regimes in challenging regions. However, it also provides an alternative approach to development that challenges Western philosophies. Is China a rogue donor? What do we know about Chinese aid in Africa? Journalists and foreign policy pundits have jumped to conclusions on very little evidence.

To address these issues, YPFP presents a roundtable with Deborah Brautigam, an associate professor at American University and author of the book, Chinese Aid and African Development. Professor Brautigam has just returned from visits to Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia and China, and will provide her analysis of China's aid and what it means for Africa and the West.

America Abroad Media and CNN Turk present...

“America’s Funniest Muslim: Muslim Life in America...With a sense of humor”

Join CNN Turk’s Mithat Bereket for a televised town hall event, featuring a performance and Q&A with comedian Azhar Usman.

Called “The Ayatollah of Comedy,” Azhar Usman is the co-founder of the critically acclaimed comedy troupe, “Allah Made Me Funny.” A well known lecturer, activist and authority on Muslim American issues, the BBC observed that Usman and his troupe aim to “counter the negative stereotypes and attitudes about Muslims and Arabs by poking fun at themselves, their communities and the prejudices they face.”

Please join The Americas Project at the Center for American Progress for a special presentation:

State of the Americas 2008

Keynote Speaker:
Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank

Featured Panelists:
Leonardo Martinez-Diaz, Political Economy Fellow, Global Economy and Development Program, Brookings Institution
Adrean Scheid Rothkopf, Managing Director for North and Central America and the Caribbean, U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Michael Shifter, Vice President for Policy and Director of the Andean program, Inter-American Dialogue

Space Race with China?
The Chinese Anti-Satellite Test and U.S.-China Relations in Space
 

Tuesday, February 12, 2008
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

New America Foundation
1630 Connecticut Ave, NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC

Before China carried out an anti-satellite test in January 2007, some U.S. policy-makers, including NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and the U.S. House China Working Group, advocated greater cooperation between the United States and China in space. After the test, which created a massive cloud of space debris that angered international space professionals and alarmed the American public, increased references to U.S.-China competition and hints of a new space race drowned out calls for cooperation.

Using the experience they gained from visiting China several times in the last eight months, analysts Jeffrey Lewis and Gregory Kulacki will evaluate the costs and benefits of cooperation and competition between the United States and China in light of the history of Chinese interest in ASAT technology and an assessment of China's growing aerospace industry.

The New America Foundation invites you to join these two space policy experts in an engaging panel discussion and robust question-and-answer session. The American Strategy Program's Nuclear Strategy and Nonproliferation Initiative is designed to build a new bipartisan consensus around a reduced role for nuclear weapons in U.S. security policy and a renewed emphasis on building international institutions to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.

Featured Speakers

How We Missed the Story on Afghanistan
Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, and the Hijacking of Afghanistan
 

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

New America Foundation
1630 Connecticut Ave, NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC

In How We Missed The Story: Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, and the Hijacking of Afghanistan, award-winning journalist Roy Gutman weaves a narrative that exposes how and why the U.S. government, the United Nations, and the Western media "missed the story" in the leadup to 9/11.

Focusing primarily on events in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s, Gutman contends that foreign policy in the region was non-existent. He argues that instead of a comprehensive foreign policy, the U.S. government chose to conduct a counter-terror policy that inadvertently fueled the very fire it was trying to fight.  Gutman is also critical of the media's role during this period - questioning the lack of coverage of Afghanistan prior to 9/11.

Join the New America Foundation for a robust discussion with Roy Gutman and Peter Bergen on the policy and media mistakes in Afghanistan prior to September 11.

Featured Speakers

The Center for National Policy

invites you to a policy discussion entitled

Opinions of the U.S. in
the Islamic World

Featuring

James Zogby
The Arab American Institute

And

Dalia Mogahed
Gallup Center for Muslim Studies

Wednesday, February 13 from 12:30-2:00pm
A light lunch will be served; space will be limited.
Location:
Center for National Policy One Massachusetts Ave., NWThird Floor, Suite 333Washington, DC 20001

Click Here To RSVP

Wednesday, February 13

“The Kosovo Dilemma”

4:30 p.m. - Room 812, Rome Building, 1619 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.

Soren Jessen-Petersen, visiting scholar at the U.S. Institute of Peace, former assistant U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and former special representative of the U.N. Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, will discuss this topic. Members of the public should RSVP to the SAIS International Law and Organizations Program at itlong@jhu.edu or 202.663.5745.

The British Embassy and Johns Hopkins Foreign Affairs Symposium present a panel discussion and photo exhibition on Perceptions of Islam in the Western World 2/13/2008 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Event Description: Since the events of September 11, 2001, perceptions of the Muslim community have changed drastically. Through examining policy, art and everyday life, the panel discussion will offer perspective on being Muslim in the Western world. Accompanied by a fascinating art exhibit commissioned by the British Government, the Art of Integration, this panel event will explore themes of cultural awareness and religious tolerance. Panelists: Peter Sanders, photographer of the Art of Integration in Britain's Green and Pleasant Lands Farah Qureshi, JHU student Manal Omar, Middle East Manager for Oxfam Location: Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus Glass Pavilion 3400 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 For more information: Kelly Hysan British Embassy kelly.hysan@fco.gov.uk

Linda Jamison and the CSIS Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy invite members of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy to a select event with Laura Liswood, one of the leading experts on the female leaders of the world. (Ms. Liswood was one of the last people to interview Benazir Bhutto before she was killed.) I hope you can attend!

A Book Event with Laura Liswood
Author of "Women World Leaders"

Opening Remarks and Moderator
Linda Jamison
Dean, Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy

Thursday, February 14
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
CSIS B-1 Conference Center
1800 K Street NW, Washington, DC

The Women's Foreign Policy Group hosts a


*** CARNEGIE SCHOLAR ISLAM SERIES EVENT ***


Researching and Writing about Human Rights in Iran

Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina
Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia
2005 Carnegie Scholar


Abdulaziz Sachedina, Ph.D., is a Frances Myers Ball Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Dr. Sachedina, who has studied in India, Iraq, Iran, and Canada, obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. He has been conducting research and writing in the field of Islamic Law, Ethics, and Theology (Sunni and Shiite) for more than two decades and has just recently returned from Iran. Dr. Sachedina was named a Carnegie Scholar in 2005 by the Carnegie Corporation of New York to conduct research on Human Rights: A Clash of Universalisms. In the last ten years he has also concentrated on social and political ethics, including Interfaith and Intrafaith Relations, Islamic Biomedical Ethics and Islam and Human Rights. Dr. Sachedina’s publications include: Islamic Messianism (State University of New York, 1980); Human Rights and the Conflicts of Culture, co-authored (University of South Carolina, 1988) The Just Ruler in Shiite Islam (Oxford University Press, 1988); The Prolegomena to the Qur’an (Oxford University Press, 1998), The Islamic Roots of Democratic Pluralism (Oxford University Press, 2002), Islamic Biomedical Ethics: Theory and Practice (Oxford University Press, 2008), in addition to numerous articles in academic journals. He is an American citizen born in Tanzania.