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Dr Harry Melkonian

Honorary Associate, United States Studies Centre

Dr Harry Melkonian

Dr Harry Melkonian

    Dr Harry Melkonian is an Honorary Associate at the United States Studies Centre. He is a practicing lawyer and legal educator who lectures at the US Studies Centre, specialising in the US Constitution. Melkonian was previously a partner at the law firm White & Case in the US, and is licensed to practice law in the jurisdictions of New York, California, England and New South Wales. He is now an Honourary Associate at Macquarie Law School, specialising in US constitutional issues as well as media and defamation law.

    Areas of expertise

    • US domestic policy
    CommentaryJFK anniversary: Myth heals a nation's heart
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    JFK anniversary: Myth heals a nation's heart

    The Canberra Times

    The facts of John F. Kennedy's assassination 50 years ago do not satisfy Americans, so they have exalted a fiction says senior lecturer Harry Melkonian.

    CommentaryThe court-martial of Bradley Manning
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    The court-martial of Bradley Manning

    The Conversation

    US soldier Bradley Manning has admitted to leaking classified documents, and can expect a long time behind bars as a results, says senior lecturer Harry Melkonian. Nevertheless, the US will have...

    Journal articleCase note: National Federation of Independent Business v Sebelius
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    Case note: National Federation of Independent Business v Sebelius

    Dr Harry Melkonian writes on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (Obama-care) for the Macquarie Law Journal. The article presents an analysis of the various aspects of the Supreme Court decision.

    BookFreedom of speech and society: a social approach to freedom of expression
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    Freedom of speech and society: a social approach to freedom of expression

    Traditionally, freedom of speech has been justified as necessary for democratic government and as an essential individual right. This study by Dr Harry Melkonian departs from traditional legal and philosophical theories and breaks...

    CommentaryObamacare decision: just a spoonful of sugar
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    Obamacare decision: just a spoonful of sugar

    The Conversation

    Although the Supreme Court ruled last week that Obamacare was constitutional, Chief Justice John Roberts eschewed the constitutional doctrines the law was meant to rely upon. Centre lecturer Harry Melkonian explains why, in...

    CommentaryDefending Private Manning: Wikileaks suspect has his day in court
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    Defending Private Manning: Wikileaks suspect has his day in court

    The Conversation

    US Studies Centre lecturer Harry Melkonian considers the case against Private First Class Bradley Manning, accused of delivering thousands of pages of US government documents to Wikileaks.

    BookDefamation, Libel Tourism and the SPEECH Act of 2010
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    Defamation, Libel Tourism and the SPEECH Act of 2010

    US Studies Centre senior lecturer on the US Constitution Harry Melkonian has written the book Defamation, Libel Tourism and the SPEECH Act of 2010: The First Amendment Colliding with the Common Law published...

    CommentaryService to the nation at last
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    Service to the nation at last

    The Canberra Times

    The repealing of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the US military toward gays and lesbians is welcome news, says Dr Harry Melkonian. Dr Melkonian is a lecturer in...

    CommentaryAmerican asset: Clinton's hidden talent
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    American asset: Clinton's hidden talent

    The Drum Unleashed (ABC online)

    Hillary Clinton clearly recognises the limits of unilateralism and is working to build American foreign policy built on cooperation and consultation, according to Professor Harry Melkonian. Professor Melkonian...

    CommentaryObama goes 'Bush'
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    Obama goes 'Bush'

    ABC Unleashed

    President-Elect Obama has announced a proposed economic recovery plan for the US involving the expenditure of possibly trillions of dollars to rebuild decaying infrastructure and to develop sustainable sources of energy...

     
    InterviewDonald Trump and children are being sued by New York attorney general for fraud
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    Donald Trump and children are being sued by New York attorney general for fraud

    Donald Trump and three of his children are being sued by New York's attorney general after an investigation into their family company. Letitia James alleges the Trumps lied to lenders about the net...

    In the newsThese are some of the high-profile figures who were seen storming the US Capitol
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    These are some of the high-profile figures who were seen storming the US Capitol

    A growing number of rioters who stormed the Capitol building have been identified online, largely after posting videos and photos of their involvement, but it remains unclear what charges, if any, they will...

    InterviewFallout from US midterms
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    Fallout from US midterms

    Sky News Business

    US President Barack Obama has been dealt a damaging political blow in America's midterm elections with Republicans now controlling both houses of Congress. Senior lecturer Harry Melkonian discusses what the...

    In the newsDon't be too quick to write Obama off
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    Don't be too quick to write Obama off

    The Australian

    Harry Melkonian writes in a letter to the editor of The Australian that the election of Republican Scott Brown to fill the US Senate seat formerly occupied by the late Edward...