Salzman and Middle East Studies

Stanley, Because of your interest in Middle East studies politicization and indoctrination, I thought you might find this January 11, 2008 e-mail from Elizabeth Picard, research director at the Institut de Recherches et d’Études sur le Monde Arabe et Musulman, in France of interest. What struck me at the time was the name-calling. When academics label or name-call and neglect to identify any inaccuracy, it is always a sign that in their university or department, polemics have trumped scholarship.

Subject: New Year Joke!

Could not believe what I read by Philip Salzman. This man is the true son of the Pipes-Lewis couple! Gave it to read to our graduate students who competed in collecting endless inaccuraties and phantasies. Was a good vaccine for those who want to do serious social history. Gave a lot to reflect upon Middle East expertise in the US.

Elizabeth Picard

In this case, I can only imagine what would become of any graduate student who dared to disagree with Picard and agree with Salzman’s provocative thesis.

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Michael Rubin

Michael Rubin specializes in Iran, Turkey and the Horn of Africa. His career includes time as a Pentagon official, with field experiences in Iran, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as engagements with the Taliban prior to 9/11. Mr. Rubin has also contributed to military education, teaching U.S. Navy and Marine units about regional conflicts and terrorism. His scholarly work includes several key publications, such as “Dancing with the Devil” and “Eternal Iran.” Rubin earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in history and a B.S. in biology from Yale University.