Knowledge Bank

The Middle East Studies Center, partnering with the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, presented a symposium on Iraq and Afghanistan on February 13, 2008. The symposium featured two distinguished scholars, Dr. Alam Payind and Dr. Tahir al-Bakaa, who gave their views on the current situations in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. The scholars, who continue to be influential in their countries, provided a picture of the way recent events have been seen from insiders’ points of view, and the way that they see their countries’ histories. Professor Richard Herrmann, director of the Mershon Center, introduced the scholars and provided insights on U.S. foreign policy, which he gained from listening to their discourses.