Professor Walid A. Phares, Terrorism Expert, Washington DC

Dr Walid Phares is a Professor of Middle East Studies, Ethnic and Religious Conflict, and an expert on Political Islam, Jihad and the Clash of Civilizations

Born and raised in Lebanon, Walid Phares was educated at the Jesuit and Lebanese Universities of Beirut where he obtained degrees in Law and Political Science as well as certificates in Sociology. He obtained a Masters in International Law from the Universite de Lyons in France and a Ph.D. in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Miami.

He practiced as a Lawyer in Beirut, served as an analyst editorialist and was the publisher of several weeklies and monthlies in Arabic, French and English (1982-1987). He published his celebrated book "Pluralism in Lebanon" in 1979, followed by a number of books and articles in the Arab and international press since 1980. Engaged in public discussions with Islamic Fundamentalist and Arab Nationalist intellectuals in the 1980s out of Beirut. Lectured in number of countries in the Middle East and worldwide (Europe, Brazil, Uruguay, Cyprus, Canada, etc).

Relocated to the United States in 1990, where he taught at Florida International University, the University of Miami then was hired by the Departent of Political Science at Florida Atlantic University. Teaches Middle East Politics, History, Ethnic and Religious Conflict, Clash of Civilizations, Islamic Fundamentalism, Human Rights, Nationalism.

Phares lectures on US campuses nationwide and internationally including in London, Stockholm, Mexico, Paris, Brussels, Madrid, Lisbon, and Rome. He published several books and articles including in the Middle East Quarterly, Global Affairs, Journal of Middle East and South Asian Studies, The Journal of International Security, and other specialized journals. He is frequently interviewed by American and international networks including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, NBC, PBS, ABC, CBS, Discovery Channel, C-Span, Canada's CTV, Global TV, CBC, as well as by al Jazeera, al Arabiya, al Hurra, Abu Dhabi TV. He appears on European, South Asian and Latin American outlets and is a frequent contributor to US and international radio programs.

He has served as an analyst of the ongoing conflict since September 11 with regards to Bin Laden ideology, strategy, al-Qaida, Taliban, regional and local Jihadic groups, as well as Militant Islamists within the West. Phares analyses the surge and development of those movements in the Muslim world as well as within the West and South Asia.

He testifies to the US Senate and US House' various committes and often conducts briefings to the US Congress, the European Parliament, the United Nations Security Council and is consulted by the US State, Defense, Justice, Homeland Security Departments. He has served as Government expert in Terrorism cases in the US and Europe.

Phares serves as an academic advisor to several Western-based Human Rights and minority groups within the Muslim world. He has served as a Terrorism analyst and Mideast expert with MSNBC till 2006 and is now a contributor to Fox News.

Phares last book, Future Jihad was a Foreign Affairs best seller in 2006 and his most recent book The War of Ideas was released in 2007.

Web Site:
www.walidphares.com
Related Sites
www.defenddemocracy.org
Biography