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Robinson Receives Academic Fellowship In Terrorism Studies Through Foundation for Defense of Democracies

April 26, 2013. The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), a non-partisan policy institute headquartered in Washington, D.C., has named Appalachian State University professor Matthew Robinson an academic fellow for 2013-14. Robinson will travel to Israel in June for an intensive course in terrorism studies, and in particular, how democracies can defeat the worldwide terrorist threat. Robinson is a professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies.

Robinson
Robinson

“I am eager to learn more about how Israel works to prevent terrorism as well as hold those accountable for terrorist attacks,” Robinson said. “I also look forward to hearing more about the goals and motives of those individuals, groups and organizations who engage in terrorism.”

The 2013 program, which will be conducted at Tel Aviv University June 16-25, includes lectures by academics, and military and intelligence officials, as well as diplomats from Israel, Jordan, India and the United States. It also includes visits to police, customs and immigration facilities, military bases and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists.

“This travel experience will greatly impact my teaching and research agenda at Appalachian and be of enormous benefit to myself and my students,” Robinson said. “I also expect to learn valuable lessons that will shape my work with the proposed Center for Social Justice and Human Rights at Appalachian.”

“Terrorism remains the greatest threat today to the world’s democracies, including the United States and our allies around the globe,” said Clifford May, president of FDD.  “To win the war against terrorism, we must win the war of ideas by promoting democracy and defeating the totalitarian ideologies that drive and justify terrorism.” 

The FDD Academic Fellows program provides a 10-day learning experience to U.S.–based teaching and research professionals to provide them with cutting-edge information about defeating terrorist groups.