Presentations
and Research on the Middle East, Islam, Europe, Central Asia, U.S.
Strategy and Diplomacy
Current
Presentations Offered in the Form of Lectures, Seminars,
Publications, Briefing Reports, Research and Professional
Development Programs
Presenter: Glen W. Swanson,
Ph.D.
List of Presentations
Note: To proceed
immediately to a description, click
on the word(s) underlined below.
LECTURES AND SEMINARS
Islam and the Middle East:
The Search for Identity
in the Middle East
The Clash
of Civilizations -
Myth or Reality?
The Mystery
of the Ottoman Empire
Current Issues
in the Middle East:
Christians and Jews
in the Middle East,
Historical Perspectives
Storm Clouds
over Iraq - American
Diplomacy and the Prelude to War
War and Peace
in the Middle East
Islam, Westernization
and Nationalism in the
Middle East
Geography of the
Middle East with Emphasis on Oil and Water Resources
Islam - Its Growth
and Principles, and
Its Position in the Modern Middle East
Europe and Central Asia:
The Clash of
Civilizations - Myth or Reality?
The Mystery of the Ottoman
Empire
Storm Clouds over Iraq (2003 Publication)
Oil and Water, A
Look at the Middle East
Articles
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DESCRIPTIONS
OF LECTURES
Topic: "The
Search for Identity in the Middle East"
When
Muhammad brought the message of Islam to his followers,
he revolutionized social, religious, and political
systems. In place of the tribe he ordered a new focus of
identity, namely the "Umma," the community of
Muslims believing in the oneness of God. For some, this
path has proved to be the ultimate answer in the search
for identity. But for many others in the Middle East,
Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the riddle continues as to
"Who am I?" "Who are we?"
Against this
background Glen Swanson looks at the riddle, the
questions, and the nature of responses - responses which
too often have led to armed conflict.
Offered as a single
lecture, as a seminar, or as a series of three lectures:
"The Search for
Identity in the Middle East (Part One) - The Islamic
Community from the 7th to 14th Centuries"
"The Search for
Identity in the Middle East (Part Two) - 'Sultans and
Subjects' - The Ottoman Empire from 1300 to the 19th
Century"
"The Search for
Identity in the Middle East (Part Three) - Islam,
Nationalism and the Emergence of the Modern Middle East"
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Topic: "The Clash of Civilizations - Myth or Reality?"
Swanson focuses in this
presentation on the complex religio-political interaction
of Islam, Judaism, Christian Orthodoxy and Catholicism in
the Balkans and the Middle East during the past
millennium. He concludes with a consideration of the
current situation and America's role as peacemaker and
power broker.
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Topic: "The Mystery of the Ottoman Empire"
The Ottoman Empire
has been one of the most misunderstood religio-political
structures in world history, largely because of the view
that the Ottomans were a horde of Turkish warriors
bringing death and destruction wherever they went. Yet
this Muslim dynasty lasted for over six hundred years.
Why did it endure so long? Swanson probes the mystery of
this empire and raises questions for the audience to
consider.
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For persons interested in current topics
not mentioned above, we have
"THE CURRENT ISSUES PROGRAM"
In this flexible selection process Mr.
Swanson arranges a program with the sponsor to examine issues and
events in the Middle East, Europe, or Central Asia. They then
proceed to identify which issue(s) and type of presentation(s)
would best fit the needs of the sponsor's audience.
Examples: Current Issues in
the Middle East
Topic: "Christians and Jews in the Middle East, Historical
Perspectives"
From its origin Islam has given
special status to the "People of the Book," the
believers in one God. This group - the "dhimmi"
- includes Jews and Christians. Swanson surveys the
historical base for this concept, describes the status of
Christians and Jews under the Ottoman Empire, and
comments on how Christians and Jews fit into the mosaic
of the modern Middle East.
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Topic: "Storm Clouds over Iraq - American Diplomacy and
the Prelude to War"
Glen W. Swanson focuses on
questions and issues relating to past and present
relations between Iraq and the United States. In the
events surrounding the road to war in 2003, Swanson
weaves a tale of politics and shifting alliances. He
considers the pros and cons for launching the preemptive
strike giving special attention to the "wildcards"
of oil, Osama bin Laden, Turkey, Israel, the
mismanagement of information, America's force readiness,
and the removal of Saddam Hussein.
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Topic: "War and Peace in the Middle East"
Glen Swanson considers the nature
of war since the rise of Islam, focusing on concepts (such
as the "Just War" and the world's supposed
division into the "House of Islam" and the
"House of War"), the practices and terminology
of war (e.g., "Jihad," "Crusade,"
"terrorism," "Preemptive Strike"),
the socio-economic ramifications of war, and the current
prospects for war and peace in the Middle East.
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Topic: "Islam, Westernization and Nationalism in the Middle East"
Following an overview of Islam's
foundation, growth and principles, Swanson introduces the
challenges of Westernization and Nationalism to the
Middle East. He comments on actions, reactions, and the
interplay among traditionalist and reformist groups.
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Topic: "Geography of the Middle East
with Emphasis on Oil
and Water Resources"
Dr. Swanson considers such aspects
as general physical geography, cultural geography (including
religions, languages, social customs, and ethnic
distinctions where appropriate), historical geography,
and physical/economic geography (where major attention
will be given to the two precious resources, oil and
water, with examples of how these Middle East resources
affect the lives of people in the Middle East and the
United States.
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Topic: "Islam - Its Growth and Principles, and its Position in
the Modern Middle East"
A seminar-type program dedicated
to description and general analysis of Islam, its growth
and principles, with guided discussion as to Islam's
position in the modern Middle East. The group will
examine the beliefs and practices of this global religion
with emphasis on the ways Islam has shaped political,
social, intellectual, and cultural institutions in the
Middle East. Consideration will also be given to the
history of relations between Islam and the West,
including the rise of Islamic fundamentalist movements.
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CURRENT PRESENTATIONS ON
EUROPE AND CENTRAL
ASIA PRESENTER: Glen W. Swanson, Ph.D.
Topic: "The Clash of Civilizations - Myth or Reality?"
Swanson focuses in this
presentation on the complex religio-po litical
interaction of Islam, Judaism, Christian Orthodoxy and
Catholicism in the Balkans and the Middle East during the
past millennium. He concludes with a consideration of the
current situation and America's role as peacemaker and
power broker.
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List.
Topic: "The Mystery of the Ottoman Empire"
The Ottoman Empire has been one of
the most misunderstood religio-political structures in
world history, largely because of the view that the
Ottomans were a horde of Turkish warriors bringin g death
and destruction wherever they went. Yet this Muslim
dynasty lasted for over six hundred years. Why did it
endure so long? Swanson probes the mystery of this empire
and raises questions for the audience to consider.
(DESCRIPTIONS OF OTHER
EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA PRESENTATIONS FORTHCOMING)
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Glen Swanson's written work
ranges from biographical studies and articles on war and peace,
military and police forces, to guides on business practices in
the Middle East and books on Iraq, the Middle East, and East-Central
Europe.
Book Publications:
Glen W. Swanson, Storm
Clouds over Iraq (Peterborough,
NH: Falcon Global Research, 2003) ISBN 0-9727780-0-4.
The author focuses on
questions and issues relating to past, present and future
relations between Iraq and the United States. In the
events surrounding the road to war and its fateful
consequences in 2003, Swanson weaves a tale of politics
and shifting alliances. He considers the pros and cons
for launching the U.S. preemptive strike giving special
attention to the "wildcards" of oil, Osama bin
Laden, Israel, Turkey, the mismanagement of information,
America's force readiness, and the removal of Saddam
Hussein.
Available at selected
bookstores or through Falcon Global Research. For further
information email "as@fglobalr.mv.com"
Glen W. Swanson, Oil and
Water, A Look at the Middle East, illus. by Jill Shaffer. (Prentice-Hall)
ISBN 0-13-633677-9 LC 80-27746. Out-of-print. Revised edition
planned for release in 2004.
"Petroleum and
water do not mix in nature, but in human affairs their
combination can be explosive. This book takes an unusual
approach to area studies by emphasizing human use of
these natural resources on a regional basis, rather than
country-by-country, in the Middle East. It covers ancient
methods of supplying water from the entire area,
including the famous Iranian qanats, oil drilling and
refining procedures and new techniques for obtaining
water made possible by oil money... The writing style is
clear and vigorous, and the line drawings are well keyed
to the text. Useful information for students learning
about the Middle East." [Review, School Library
Journal, Jonathan Betz-Zall, Free Library of
Philadelphia]
Glen W. Swanson, compiler and
editor, Finance and Investment in the Transforming Economies
of East-Central Europe (Peterborough, NH. Falcon Global
Research, revised edition 1997). 424 pp. Controlled circulation.
Out-of-print.
Articles:
Glen Swanson's articles on
the Middle East and the Balkans have appeared in the Encyclopaedia
of Islam, Middle East Forum, Middle Eastern Studies,
various newspapers and journals, as well as in a collection of
essays on War, Technology and Society in the Middle East
published by Oxford University Press. "The Ottoman Police
Forces," presented initially in The Journal of
Contemporary History, was republished in Sage Publication's Police
Forces in History, Sage Readers in 20th Century History
Volume 2, edited by George L. Mosse. His article on U.S. foreign
policy in Bosnia was translated into Serbo-Croatian and published
in the European edition of Sarajevo's newspaper Oslobodenje
during the war in Bosnia.
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GLEN W. SWANSON - PROFILE
During the past several
decades Glen Swanson has combined his liberal arts and business
management background to serve as lecturer, writer, facilitator,
international research consultant, and project manager.
He completed his B.S. in
Business Adminstration program at the University of Connecticut.
He then entered military service as a U.S. Army officer. His tour
of duty overseas led him to select a life-time path of intensive
international studies.
As National Defense Education
Fellow and Foreign Area Fellow of the American Council of Learned
Societies/Social Science Research Council, Mr. Swanson completed
his Ph.D. program in the United States [Indiana University,
History with area concentrations on the Middle East and East-Central
Europe] and undertook advanced studies on Islam, the Balkans and
the Middle East at the University of London School of Oriental
and African Studies.
He has lectured extensively
at the university and college level, has chaired programs
relating to his areas of concentration, has appeared on New
Hampshire public radio and Massachusetts cable television
programs, and has participated in student and teacher training
programs as well as the U.S. State Department's "Scholar-Diplomat
Seminars" on the Middle East. He is a Fellow of the Inter-University
Seminar on Armed Forces and Socieety.
Mr. Swanson has served in the
business world as special research consultant and international
liaison, as logistics coordinator for Middle East projects, and
as consultant to the U.S. Department of Commerce on international
factors relating to the U.S. defense-industrial base.
Civic and community
activities include:
(Current) President,
New Hampshire Citizens for the Arts;
and past
positions as
Member, Host
Committee, Joint Session of the European Parliament/U.S.
House of Representatives held at Dartmouth University;
Corporate Liaison,
Earth Day USA;
District Chair,
Rotary International - New Hampshire/Vermont District's
World Service Committee;
Chairman, Monadnock
Summer Lyceum - a series of eight public affairs programs
presented each summer before a live audience, with
delayed broadcast on New Hampshire Public Radio;
Incorporator and
Member, Board of Trustees, Monadnock Music.
Mr. Swanson is
available as a speaker or program coordinator for organizations
and educational groups interested in historical developments and
current issues in the Middle East, Islam, East-Central Europe and
the Balkans. For details, contact him directly at the email
address provided below.
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We
look forward to hearing from you.
Please
Email us at gws@research-international.com or contact us at Falcon
Global Research, P.O. Box 487, Peterborough, NH 03458-0487, USA.
Telephone: 603/924-3878. Fax: 603-924-7477. Web Site: www.research-international.com.
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