Home /Events /Postgraduate information evening with panel discussion on the Syrian crisis

Postgraduate information evening with panel discussion on the Syrian crisis

When

6.00pm–8.00pm

15 October 2013

Where

United States Studies Centre, Institute Building (H03), City Road, The University of Sydney

The Syrian Civil War is now two and a half years old. Over 100,000 Syrians have been killed, two million have become refugees and the violence looks increasingly likely to draw in the country's neighbours. Nevertheless, until recently, the United States has resisted becoming directly involved in the conflict. Why hasn't the Obama Administration played a more active role in Syria? Is it likely to become increasingly involved? An expert panel of US Studies Centre academics and special guest Professor Amin Saikal, Director of the Centre of Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University, discussed these pressing strategic, political and humanitarian questions.

Panel

  • Professor Amin Saikal, Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University
  • Associate Professor Brendon O'Connor, Associate Professor in American Politics & Director of Teaching and Learning, US Studies Centre
  • Dr Adam Lockyer, Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy, US Studies Centre
  • Tom Switzer, Research Associate and Editor of American Review, US Studies Centre 

Featuring

  • Professor Brendon O'Connor
    Professor Brendon O'Connor
    Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations, United States Studies Centre (jointly appointed with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Sydney)

    Brendon O'Connor is a Professor of US Politics and US Foreign Relations. He is jointly appointed between the United States Studies Centre and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (in the Discipline of Government and International Relations) at the University of Sydney. He is the editor of seven books on anti-Americanism and has also published articles and books on American welfare policy, presidential politics, US foreign policy, and Australian-American relations.

  • Tom Switzer
    Tom Switzer
    Presenter, ABC Radio National

    Tom Switzer was a senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre until March 2017. He is a presenter on the ABC’s Radio National and a columnist at Fairfax publications.

  • John Barron
    John Barron
    Journalist and broadcaster, ABC

    John Barron was previously an Honorary Associate at the US Studies Centre. He is anchor of “Planet America” on ABC-TV and author of the book “Vote For Me” about the 2008 Presidential campaign.

  • Dr Adam Lockyer
    Dr Adam Lockyer
    Senior Lecturer in Security Studies, Macquarie University

    Adam Lockyer is currently Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at Macquarie University. Previously, Lockyer was a Research Fellow in Defence Studies at the University of New South Wales and, between 2010 and 2013, a lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy at the US Studies Centre.

  • Professor Amin Saikal AM
    Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Director, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (The Middle East and Central Asia), Australian National University

    Amin Saikal was a speaker at the US Studies Centre's National Summit in 2011. Saikal is Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (The Middle East and Central Asia) at the Australian National University and a specialist in the politics, history, political economy and international relations of the Middle East and Central Asia. He is the author of many books on international relations and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006 for services to the international community and to education.