News + Media

	précis May 1, 2010 précis Interview: Ben Ross Schneider Ben Ross Schneider is a professor of political science in the Department of Political Science at MIT. Schneider also co-directs MIT Brazil, which is part of the Center's MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI); the Interdisciplinary Workshop on Institutions and Development (IWID), and the Harvard-MIT Workshop on the Political Economy of Development in Brazil. He discusses with précis opportunities for research-related activities in Brazil, his current and future research agenda on Latin America, and the upcoming presidential elections in Brazil.
	précis May 1, 2010 Buying national security: how America plans and pays for its global role and safety at home By Gordon Adams and Cindy Williams National security budgets are the most dependable reflection of US security policy. Seeing things through the lens of the budget can help decision-makers and ordinary citizens discern the genuine priorities of national leaders from the oftentimes illusory ones portrayed in rhetoric.
	précis May 1, 2010 Not in your backyard: understanding state action against violent non-state actors By Keren Fraiman Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's (AQAP's) failed attempt to destroy a commercial airliner on Christmas Day has thrust Yemen back into the world spotlight as an important base for jihadist terrorist activity. The bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, apparently received operational guidance in Yemen shortly beforehand, and AQAP leaders there have since claimed responsibility for the attack.
	précis May 1, 2010 Briefings Patricia Gercik, associate director of the MISTI and managing director of the MIT-Japan Program, received an MIT Excellence Award in the category of "Bringing Out the Best: Everyday Leadership throughout MIT"; CIS Senior Fellows include Christian Caryl, George J. Gilboy, and Robert Madsen; The Center welcomed back to MIT Ambassador Barbara Bodine for a Starr Forum on " Yemen: Avoiding the Mistakes and Learning the Lessons of Afghanistan and Iraq; The Center's series Audit of the Conventional Wisdom continues with an analysis of the defense budget; Barry Posen was elected membership to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; Carl Kaysen, MIT's David W. Skinner Professor of Political Economy (Emeritus), passed away on February 8.
	précis May 1, 2010 Activities The Center sponsored a two-day workshop, "MIT Workshop on Theory and Practice in Iraq and Afghanistan" in April; British Foreign Secretary David Miliband visited MIT to deliver the 2010 Karl Taylor Compton Lecture; M. Taylor Fravel is one among 39 outstanding scholars of Asia who was appointed to the newly formed National Asia Research Program; The Center awarded 20 summer study grants this year; David Dolev was honored at the annual Israeli Consulate Israel Independence day celebration.
	précis May 1, 2010 End Notes Endnotes features the professional achievements of our scholars, students, and staff. This includes recent awards, speaking engagements, and publications.
	News@E40 May 1, 2010 Students receive funds for global studies The Center’s Program on Human Rights and Justice recently announced the recipients of its summer internships for students at MIT who wish to study human rights either at the field level or through applied research. This year’s recipients, followed by their summer host organizations, are: Robert J. Crauderueff, Greensboro NAACP, USA; Andrea A. Betancourt, Giral-Brazil, Brazil; Anahita Maghami, Afghanistan Samsortya, USA; and Christophe Chung, UNHCR, Ethiopia. In addition, the Center would like to recognize the winner of a National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Fellowship. The recipient, Kyoung Marvin Shin, will use the fellowship for fieldwork in several municipalities in China, analyzing the local politics of clean energy policymaking, development, and deployment. And, just a few weeks ago, the Center announced the recipients of its Summer Study Grants. More details on funding opportunities offered by or facilitated through the Center are available here.
	News@E40 April 23, 2010 Dolev honored by Israeli consulate David Dolev, the coordinator for MIT Israel, was honored at the annual Israeli Consulate Israel independence day celebration for “his remarkable work in supporting strong collaboration between Israel and New England.” The award was given on behalf of the state of Israel and presented by the Consulate General of Israel to New England.
	News@E40 April 20, 2010 Posen elected to American Academy Barry Posen, Ford International Professor of Political Science and director of the Center’s Security Studies Program, was elected membership to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences on April 19, 2010. Posen is among two hundred and twenty-nine leaders in the sciences, social sciences, the humanities, the arts, business and public affairs to have been elected membership in 2010 to the prestigious honorary society. Posen joins other CIS scholars who also are Academy members, including: Suzanne Berger, Philip Khoury, Richard Samuels, and Eugene Skolnikoff.
	News@E40 April 13, 2010 Fravel appointed to New National Asia Program M. Taylor Fravel, the Cecil and Ida Green Career Development Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and a member of the Center's Security Studies Program, is one among 39 outstanding scholars of Asia who was appointed to the newly formed National Asia Research Program. The National Asia Research Program (NARP)—a joint project of the National Bureau of Asian Research and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars—is a new research and conference program designed to reinvigorate and promote the policy-relevant study of Asia, particularly by highlighting the research of NARP associates and fellows. The fellows and associates will present their work at the inaugural Asia Policy Assembly in Washington on June 17–18. News story