Georgetown Professor, National Security Expert Due at Judaic Studies Lecture

Apr 25, 2016
Matthew Kroenig, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Government and School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, will discuss “America, Iran, and the Middle East: An Assessment of the Current Situation.” at The University of Scranton’s Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute lecture on Thursday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center.
Matthew Kroenig, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Government and School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, will discuss “America, Iran, and the Middle East: An Assessment of the Current Situation.” at The University of Scranton’s Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute lecture on Thursday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center.

An expert on U.S. national security policy, strategy and international relations and former strategist on defense policy for Iran will address the state of affairs between America, Iran and the Middle East at The University of Scranton’s Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute lecture on Thursday, May 5.

Matthew Kroenig, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Government and School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, will discuss “America, Iran, and the Middle East: An Assessment of the Current Situation.” The lecture, which is free of charge and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center.

Dr. Kroenig, a prolific author regarded as a nuclear expert and a fixture on the Washington speaking circuit who often testifies before the Senate and at the White House, has written or edited five books, the most recent of which is “Nonproliferation Policy and Nuclear Posture: Causes and Consequences for the Spread of Nuclear Weapons.” He also has authored several articles on international politics and provided commentary on a host of major media outlets.

His 2014 book “A Time To Attack: The Looming Iranian Nuclear Threat” has been called groundbreaking and a must-read analysis even as it generated controversy. In the book, Dr. Kroenig examines all aspects of the Iranian nuclear challenge.

Dr. Kroenig’s appearance is especially timely given the historic nature of the Iran Deal now capturing the world’s attention. In summer 2015, negotiators reached the landmark accord that limits Tehran’s nuclear ability in exchange for lifting international financial and oil sanctions.

“Professor Kroenig is an expert in this area, so we thought it would be interesting to hear his perspective,” said Marc Shapiro, Ph.D., the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Chair of Judaic Studies in the University’s Department of Theology/Religious Studies.

Dr. Kroenig’s 2010 book, “Exporting the Bomb: Technology Transfer and the Spread of Nuclear Weapons” received an Honorable Mention for the International Studies Association Best Book Award.

Dr. Kroenig is a senior fellow in the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council and was a foreign-policy adviser on the 2012 Mitt Romney for President campaign. He is a member of the John Hay Initiative, a volunteer network of more than 250 foreign-policy, defense and intelligence experts who share a conservative internationalist tradition.

He has served as a special adviser and a strategist in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he authored the first-ever U.S. government strategy for deterring terrorist networks. For his work, he earned the office’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Dr. Kroenig earned his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2007 and has held fellowships with the Council on Foreign Relations, Harvard University, the National Science Foundation, Stanford University, and the University of California. He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Students at Georgetown, as reported in Georgetown University’s student newspaper, have called him a dynamic professor and risk-taker “who is not afraid to stick his neck out” on issues.

The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute was created in 1979 through an endowment funded by the local Jewish community. The Institute fosters a better understanding and appreciation of Judaism, Israel and their histories. It supports visits to the University by Jewish scholars and writers and supports library acquisitions, publications, faculty research, travel and other scholarly endeavors. The work of the Institute was further enhanced by a $1 million gift from Harry Weinberg in 1990.

For further information, contact Mark Shapiro, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies at The University of Scranton, at 570-941-7956 or marc.shapiro@scranton.edu.

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