As Middle East Tensions Escalate, Syracuse Experts Weigh In
Syracuse University experts in Middle East history, national security and military affairs are available to provide commentary as conflict between U.S. and Israeli forces and Iran escalates.
As conflict between U.S. and Israeli forces and Iran intensifies across the Middle East, Syracuse University faculty and staff are available for media interviews. Their names, titles and areas of expertise are listed below. To arrange an interview, contact Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.
- , professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, is a historian of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East. Khalil is the author of “America鈥檚 Dream Palace: Middle East Expertise and the Rise of the National Security State”听(Harvard University Press, 2016). He is frequently featured in the media regarding issues in the Middle East, with the latest being and .
- Retired Vice Admiral is听professor of practice in the Maxwell School and deputy director of the . Previously, Murrett was a career intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy, serving in assignments throughout the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East during his 34 years of service. Murrett also speaks with the media often on international relations, national security and military and defense strategy. In relation to the latest with the war on Iran, Murrett was interviewed by (), 听and .
- is deputy executive director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and a U.S. Army veteran. He can speak to the lived experience of ongoing military conflict鈥攑articularly the gap between public perception and the reality faced by service members and their families. Toenniessen’s expertise spans long-term support for veterans and Gold Star families, military family resilience during undeclared or low-visibility conflicts and why national commitment to those who serve must be sustained, not situational. He has about the U.S. service members killed in action following news of their deaths.