President Obama is attempting to win congressional approval for a U.S. military strike against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Russia and Iran have warned against any Western intervention in the conflict. UCLA has experts.
 
James Gelvin, professor of history and author of "The Arab Uprisings: What Everyone Needs to Know," is an expert on the social, cultural and political 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:
Alison Hewitt | 310-206-5461 | ahewitt@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:
Alison Hewitt | 310-206-5461 | ahewitt@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:
Alison Hewitt | 310-206-5461 | ahewitt@support.ucla.edu
Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu
 
Saree Makdisi, professor of English and comparative literature, has written extensively on politics in the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is the author of "Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation."
Media contact:
Meg Sullivan | 310-825-1046 | msullivan@support.ucla.edu
 
Kal Raustiala, professor of law and director of the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations, is an expert on international law and international relations.
Media contact:
Alison Hewitt | 310-206-5461 | ahewitt@support.ucla.edu
 
Gen. Wesley K. Clark (retired), former supreme allied commander of NATO forces in Europe, is a senior fellow at the UCLA Burkle Center for International Relations. He writes and comments frequently on issues involving U.S. foreign policy and national security.
Media contact:
Alison Hewitt | 310-206-5461 | ahewitt@support.ucla.edu
 
Khaled Abou El Fadl, professor of law, is a leading authority on Islamic law and human rights.
Media contact:
Lauri Gavel | 310-206-2611 | gavel@law.ucla.edu
 
OBAMA & CONGRESS
 
Mark Peterson, professor of public policy and political science, specializes in presidential politics and how the interactions among the presidency, Congress and interest groups affect  policy.
Media contacts:
Alex Boekelheide | 310-206-0159 | Alex.Boekelheide@publicaffairs.ucla.edu
Matt Hurst | 310-206-5252 | matt.hurst@publicaffairs.ucla.edu
 
U.S. RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
 
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