News + Media

	News@E40 May 31, 2011 Lawson named Director of MISTI Chappell Lawson, an associate professor of political science at MIT and a member of the MIT Center for International Studies, has been named director of the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI). He succeeds Suzanne Berger, the Raphael Dorman-Helen Starbuck Professor of Political Science, as MISTI's director. Lawson will assume his new responsibilities on July 1, 2011. Press release
	News Release May 31, 2011 Chappell Lawson named director of the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) Chappell Lawson, an associate professor of political science at MIT and a member of the MIT Center for International Studies, has been named director of the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI). He succeeds Suzanne Berger, the Raphael Dorman-Helen Starbuck Professor of Political Science, as MISTI's director. Lawson will assume his new responsibilities on July 1, 2011.
	In the News May 26, 2011 Is it really a new start for Palestinians? Peter KrauseProvidence Journal The unity deal between Fatah and Hamas may well be "historic," but not in the way most news outlets have suggested. Not only is this one of hundreds of unity deals signed by Palestinian factions over the past 50 years, but it is not even the first unity deal signed between Hamas and Fatah, the most recent such agreement coming in 2007.
	News@E40 May 23, 2011 Oye receives Levitan Teaching Prize Ken Oye, was awarded a Levitan Teaching Prize in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. This is a very prestigious award and a great recognition of his skills and dedication to teaching. Oye holds a joint appointment in Political Science and Engineering Systems and directs the Center's Program on Emerging Technologies (PoET).
	In the News May 16, 2011 IMF turmoil unlikely to derail Euro debt talks Bob MoonNPR's Marketplace Just last week, a Bloomberg survey of international investors found 85 percent expect Greece to default on its debt -- that's a stark indicator of the urgency facing the International Monetary Fund in pushing for a resolution to the ongoing crisis. As the former finance minister of France, Dominique Strauss-Kahn's authority on Europe's debt crisis has been widely respected. And his political clout had moved negotiations toward agree. Now these talks face new uncertainty.
	In the News May 5, 2011 The President's triumph: Obama gets his man Christian CarylRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty The U.S. Special Operations Forces raid that killed Osama bin Laden drew on the efforts of a large team of people from myriad branches of government working in locations around the world. All of them -- including many whose roles may never become public -- deserve a share of the credit. Yet it seems likely that it's the most public figure in the operation who stands to gain the greatest benefit from its success. And if many of the experts are right, he's earned it.
	In the News May 3, 2011 Fotini on the war in Afghanistan Peter DizikesMIT News What impact will the death of Osama bin Laden have on the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan? And what effect will it have on the often-tense relationship between the United States and Pakistan? Fotini Christia, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, is conducting ongoing research in Afghanistan and has written widely on the subject. MIT Newsspoke to Christia about the outlook in the region.
	News@E40 May 2, 2011 CIS shines at MIT 150 The Center participated in the MIT 150 Open House on Saturday, April 29, which attracted 20,000 visitors to campus. The CIS display included a poster session, videos, printed materials, and a challenge: "Ask us about the world!" Guiding the Center's Open House activities were the following faculty members: Barry Posen, Ford International Professor of Political Science and director, Security Studies Program (SSP); Cindy Williams, principal research scientist, SSP; and Stephen Van Evera, Ford International Professor of Political Science and associate director, CIS. News article.
	précis May 1, 2011 CIS turns 60: an interview with three directors In recognition of the Center's 60th anniversary, précis discussed the evolution of CIS with three of its directors: Richard Samuels (2000 to present); Kenneth Oye (1992 to 2000); and Eugene Skolnikoff (1972 to 1987).
	précis May 1, 2011 Why do violent substate conflicts spread? By Nathan Black The recent collapse of the authoritarian regimes in Tunisia and Egypt—and the wave of anti-authoritarian protests in numerous other Arab countries—has reacquainted scholars and policymakers with a long-known truth: Unrest in one country sometimes spreads to another.