Walid A. Phares, Professor of
Middle East Studies, Florida

Dr Walid Phares is a Professor of Middle East Studies, Ethnic and Religious Conflict, and an expert on Political Islam, Jihad and the Clash of Civilizations

Born and raised in Lebanon, Walid Phares was educated at the Jesuit and Lebanese Universities of Beirut where he obtained degrees in Law and Political Science as well as certificates in Sociology. He obtained a Masters in International Law from the Universite de Lyons in France and a Ph.D. in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Miami.

He practiced as a Lawyer in Beirut, served as an analyst editorialist and was the publisher of several weeklies and monthlies in Arabic, French and English (1982-1987). Worked with the Kaslik University Research Committee and under intellectuals such as Fuad Afram Bustany on Arab Islamic Civilization, Religious and Ethnic Conflict, Minorities and Clash of Civilizations.

Published his celebrated book on the Clash of Identities and Civilizations in Lebanon in 1979, followed by a number of books and articles in the Arab and international press since 1980. Engaged in public discussions with Islamic Fundamentalist and Arab Nationalist intellectuals in the 1980s out of Beirut. Visited number of countries in the Middle East and lectured worldwide (Europe, Brazil, Uruguay, Cyprus, Canada).

Relocated to the United States in 1990, where he taught at Florida International University, the University of Miami then was hired by Florida Atlantic University. Teaches Middle East Politics, History, Ethnic and Religious Conflict, Clash of Civilizations, Islamic Fundamentalism, Human Rights, Nationalism.

Phares lectures on US campuses nationwide and internationally including in London, Stockholm, Mexico, Paris, and Rome. He published several books and articles including in the Middle East Quarterly, Global Affairs, Journal of Middle East and South Asian Studies and other specialized journals. He has been interviewed by national networks including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, NBC, PBS, Discovery Channel, C-Span, Abu Dhabi TV as well as local ABC, CBS, PBS, NBC and others. He appears on European, South Asian and Latin American outlets and is a frequent contributor to US and international radio programs

Phares expertise covers Islamic Fundamentalism, the Jihadic Movements and strategies worldwide, Arab-Israeli Conflict, Human Rights under Islamic Regimes, ethnic minorities, women, and democratic processes within the Muslim world, Terrorism, as well as the Clash of Civilization.

He has served as an analyst of the ongoing conflict since September 11 with regards to Bin Laden ideology, strategy, al-Qaida, Taliban, regional and local Jihadic groups, as well as Militant Islamists within the West. Phares analyses the surge and development of those movements in the Muslim world as well as within the West and South Asia.

He testified to the US Senate, conducted Congressional briefings and lectured to State officials on Terrorism, Religious Conflict and Ethnic Coexsitence.

Phares serves as an academic advisor to several Western-based Human Rights and minority groups within the Muslim world.

He has served as an expert on Fundamentalism with the US Government.

Phares conducts an ongoing monitoring of the Jihad movement worldwide and an updated analysis of al-Jazeera TV.

He is currently a Terrorism analyst and Mideast expert with MSNBC-CNBC-NBC.

Web Site:
www.walidphares.com
Related Sites
www.defenddemocracy.org
Biography