Political science professor to learn about defeating terrorist groups

April 27, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a nonpartisan policy institute in Washington, D.C., has named Zachary Selden, a political science professor at the University of Florida, an Academic Fellow for 2012-13.

Selden will travel to Israel at the end of May for an intensive course in terrorism studies and how democracies can defeat the worldwide terrorist threat.

“Terrorism is the greatest threat today to the world’s democracies, including the United States and our allies around the globe,” said Clifford May, president of the foundation. “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.

The 2012 program, which will be conducted at Tel Aviv University from May 27 to June 6, includes lectures by academics, and military and intelligence officials, as well as diplomats from Israel, Jordan, India and the United States. It also includes hands-on experience through visits to police, customs, and immigration facilities, military bases, and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists.

“I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to listen and participate in the exchanges and interactions which we will all have in Israel,” Selden said. “It should be useful experience for a course I plan to teach on international terrorism next year and other related academic activities.”