Renowned analyst Avi Melamed will visit Elon to discuss connections between events such as the rise of the Islamic State and the conflict in Gaza, and underscore the role of religion in a troubled Middle East. The event in the McBride Gathering Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion is free and open to the public.
“Connecting the Dots: Religion and Conflict in the Middle East”
McBride Gathering Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion
Tuesday, October 28
4:15 to 5:30 p.m.
As part ongoing efforts to promote awareness about rapidly shifting events in the Middle East and provide background and context for interpreting the headlines, Elon University’s Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society (CSRCS), Middle Eastern Studies, Jewish Studies, and the Council for Civic Engagement this month are hosting renowned analyst Avi Melamed, a former Israeli Senior Official on Arab Affairs and current Fellow of Middle East and Intelligence at the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College.
Melamed is an independent Middle East strategic intelligence analyst for industry and the media. His talk will emphasize the connections between events such as the rise of the Islamic State and the conflict in Gaza, and underscore the role of religion in a troubled Middle East. He is a former Israeli senior official on Arab Affairs and current Fellow of Middle East and Intelligence at the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College.
“This is a great opportunity to hear from an official with many years experience in strategic analysis in the region,” said Professor Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society.
An audience Q & A will follow the opening presentation. This event is open to the public.
Melamed’s analysis, tours and briefings – based on Arab sources, decades of field experience, policy design and intimate connections throughout the Arab world – offer an insider’s view of the constantly changing Middle East landscape and future regional implications. He is also the founder and creator of “Feenjan – Israel speaks Arabic,” a nonprofit initiative which presents contemporary Israeli society and culture to the Arab world in Arabic, and serves as an online platform for Israelis and Arabs to discover and discuss issues of common interest.
In the private sector Melamed facilitates relationships between Israeli and international firms and potential partners in the Arab world.
Fluent in Arabic and with a unique understanding of Arab society and culture, Melamed spent almost 30 years living in Arab cities and communities throughout the region, often in high-risk positions at sensitive times. His unique experience, outstanding analytical abilities, profound understanding of the Arab world and the Arabic language – coupled with direct access to sources, resources and networks throughout the Arab world and intimate connections with local and regional intelligence resources – has allowed him to keep his finger on the pulse on the Arab world that has resulted in a proven record of foreseeing the evolution of events as well as their impact on a local and regional level.
Melamed coauthored “Separate and Unequal: Israel’s Rule in East Jerusalem” in 1999, and he wrote “Ubrusi: The Novel” in 2010.
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Brian Pennington
Director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society and Professor of Religious Studies
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Geoffrey Claussen
Professor of Religious Studies, Lori and Eric Sklut Professor in Jewish Studies and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies
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Jason Husser
Assistant Provost for Academic Excellence and Integrity, Director of the Elon Poll and Professor of Political Science and Public Policy