Guest speaker will discuss U.S. policy toward the Middle East

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Middle East expert Dr. Joshua Landis will visit the Penn State School of International Affairs (SIA) on Monday, October 28, to deliver a talk, “History’s Lessons for U.S. Policy Toward the Middle East.” The event, which is open to the public, will take place from 4 to 5:15 p.m. in 112 Lewis Katz Building. Registration is required.

SIA encourages all members of the Penn State and broader community to attend. Following Landis’ talk, the audience will have an opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session.

Landis is Sandra Mackey Chair and director of the Center for Middle East Studies and the Farzaneh Family Center for Iranian and Persian Gulf Studies at the University of Oklahoma in the Boren College of International Studies. He writes and manages SyriaComment.com, a daily newsletter on Syrian politics and publishes frequently in policy journals such as Foreign Affairs, Middle East Policy and Foreign Policy. His book, Syria at Independence: Nationalism, Leadership, and Failure of Republicanism, will be published by the Arab Center for research and Policy studies this coming year. He is a frequent analyst on TV, radio, and in print and is a regular on NPR and the BBC. He has lived 15 years in the Middle East and 4 in Syria.

Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Alyssa Wroblewski (abw5948@psu.edu) in advance of your participation in this event.

SIA provides an innovative education for the next generation of global leaders through its professional, hands-on, and interdisciplinary Master of International Affairs degree program. Its faculty includes internationally recognized scholars and seasoned former officials who focus on practical, experiential learning to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective to make a difference in the world. SIA graduates shape policies, drive innovation, and foster understanding across cultures. Learn more at sia.psu.edu.