Professor Ben-Meir is teaching the two following courses this semester:

INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION: CASES AND LESSONS
(Masters Program)
Center for Global Affairs, NYU SCPS

Course Number Y45.2020
Class Meets Wednesdays: 6:30 to 9-10pm
January 30 - May 7, 2008

Course Description:
This course is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of how states and other international actors go about achieving their objectives through the give-and-take of the negotiation process.

First, we will focus on the theory and principles of effective international negotiation, using a number of case studies including the Arab-Israeli conflict, with a focus on the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Palestinian formal and informal negotiations, Northern Ireland Good Friday accord, the Dayton agreements, the EU-Turkey negotiations regarding Turkish membership in the EU, the negotiations over climate change in Kyoto Protocol and subsequently in Bali, Indonesia, and China's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The course will examine how the states' psychological disposition and different cultures play in negotiation and also will focus on the importance of developing a negotiating process for the purpose of generating successful outcome. Finally, we will review the effective exercise of negotiation to handle issues before they become problems and problems before they become violent conflicts.

For more information call NYU registration office at (212) 998-7150
or access NYU SCPS website: http://www.scps.nyu.edu/

THE MIDDLE EAST DISCONNECT
Non-credit
Center for Global Affairs, NYU SCPS

Course No. X12.9243
Wednesdays 10:00am - 11:40am
February 6th - April 16, 2008

Course Description:
This course will focus on the political, cultural, religious and ideological disconnect between East and West that have produced the present upheaval sweeping the region. And how past Western policies have not only failed to bridge but widened the gap between East and West. Among the topics this course will include: The long-term effect of the neoconservative policies, national mindset and polity, crisis of leadership and restive public, the desire for and the fear of change, the repercussion of East West conflicting interests, the culture of violence and sanctification of death and the illusive war on terrorism.

Presentations by Professor Ben-Meir

Pakistan's political instability and the future of Afghanistan:
The recent political turmoil in Pakistan could have a dramatic and unsettling effect on the future of Afghanistan and the prospect of defeating the Taliban. What course must the United States chart to prevent the political conditions in both countries (especially in Pakistan which is armed with nuclear weapons) from deteriorating into civil wars?

The prerequisites for diminishing international terrorism:
Since the Bush administration declared war on international terrorism, terrorist groups including Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad and many others have grown in numbers and prevalence. What went wrong in the so called war on terror, what are the real root-causes of terrorism and what can be done about it?

The culture of violence and the sanctification of death:
The Middle East is witnessing the unfolding of a culture of violence and the sanctification of death. The problem for the West is how to deal with states such as Iran or Islamic groups such as Hamas who see martyrdom in death and deeply believe that victory over the West is imminent whether they live or die.

The desire for political reforms and the fear of change:
Although the desire for political reforms is ramped throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds the fear of change experienced by both the governments and the governed is even more pervasive. The question is how to go about instituting political reforms without causing violent upheavals as in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Lebanon.

The indispensability of sustainable development:
Sustainable participatory development will prove to be indispensable to diminishing and eventually ending the political strife and extremism throughout the Middle East and Africa. Will the West led by the United States come to grips with this fundamental requirement before the current political instability and violent conflicts become uncontrollable?

The future prospect of Egypt's political stability:
The continuing rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is a source of worry for the United States, Israel and the Egyptian government itself. The question is how to insure continued Egyptian political stability and moderation while the public continues to press for political reforms from which the Muslim Brotherhood is likely to benefit the most.

The Arab Initiative, an update and the prospect of peace:
From the time the Arab Initiative was re-launched in March 2007, not much progress has been made to move the Arab-Israeli peace process forward. The question is what steps Israel, the Arab states and the United States can take to prevent the Arab Initiative from dying which will be to the detriment of peace.

Iran and the growing power of the Arab Gulf States:
Iran's ambition to become the Middle East' hegemon and its potential to acquire nuclear weapon is changing in a dramatic way the region's political landscape. The Gulf State are coalescing together to create a united economic and defense front to counter Iran's regional threat. Will Israel be seen now as a strategic partner, (albeit of convenience) and play a significant role in the emerging new alignment?

The disconnect between East and West:
Since the Iraq war began the gulf between East and West has grown precipitously. What can be done to change the political dynamic between East and west and what measures should the West undertake to prevent the ideological confrontation from becoming an entrenched violent conflict between the two sides that can go on for decades.

The effect of the American neoconservative policies:
The Bush administration's policy in the Middle East and Southeast Asia has ushered in multi-political turmoil which led to wide-spread Islamist violence and substantially increased anti-American sentiments. What policy should the next American administration pursue to bring about a thaw in East-West relations?

For more information call NYU registration office at (212) 998-7150
or access NYU SCPS website: http://www.scps.nyu.edu

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