Armed Russian troops have been sent to Syria to guard the Russian navy’s deep-water port in the  Mediterranean coastal town of Tartus, a move likely to frustrate Western efforts to put pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad. UCLA has experts.

  

Daniel Treisman, professor of political science, is an expert on Russian politics, democratic transitions, the political economy of development and political corruption. The author of "After the Deluge: Regional Crises and Political Consolidation in Russia," he teaches courses on the political and economic systems of Russia and Eastern Europe and the political economy of reform.

Media contact:

Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu

 

James Gelvin, professor of history, is an expert on the social and cultural history of the modern Middle East.

Media contact:

Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu

 

Russell Burgos, a lecturer in global studies and Middle East and North African studies at UCLA's International Institute, is an expert on international conflict, international security and U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Media contacts:

Ricardo Vazquez | 310-206-3986 | rvazquez@support.ucla.edu

Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu

 

Leonard Binder, distinguished professor of political science and past director of the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, is an internationally known specialist on Middle East politics.

Media contacts:

Ricardo Vazquez | 310-206-3986 | rvazquez@support.ucla.edu

Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu 

  

Steven Spiegel, director of UCLA's Center for Middle East Development, is a leading expert on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

Media contact:

Ricardo Vazquez | 310-206-3986 | rvazquez@support.ucla.edu

Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu