What lies ahead for the Middle Eastern nations? Will they transition to democracy after the revolts and upheavals of the "Arab Spring"? How will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with the new regimes?
Mr. Mohamed Elibiary, founder and director of the Freedom and Justice Foundation, as well as founder of Lone Star Intelligence, LLC, a security crisis communications consulting firm, will lead the Feb. 1 discussion "Middle East Realignment" for the Great Discussion series. The dialogue begins at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Taylor Auditorium of the Tyler Public Library.
A Texas-based Muslim community leader, Mr. Elibiary resides in Dallas, Texas. He is an expert on the Middle East and Homeland Security and a popular leader for Great Decisions here in Tyler. Because of his knowledge and experience, he is often called upon to advise courts of law and law enforcement agencies at state and national levels.
In Oct. 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano swore him in to the Secretary’s Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) as the youngest American ever to serve on the HSAC. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigations awarded him their highest civilian honor - the Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award, for his volunteer assistance countering homegrown violent extremism.
In addition, he serves as an appointed member of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Training Advisory Board and was recognized in 2009 by DPS Director Steven McCraw for his assistance setting up the Texas Fusion Center Policy Council (TFCPC).
The Great Decisions discussions in Tyler are sponsored by AAUW, Tyler Branch; the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County; and the Tyler Public Library. The sessions explore United States foreign policy in today's world.
The 2012 series includes five more meetings - all beginning at noon on a Wednesday:
· Feb. 8 - Mexico - Price Arrendondo, Director of Hispanic Business Services, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce
· Feb. 15 - Energy Geopolitics - Dr. Martin Slann, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, UT Tyler, and Dr. James K. Nelson, Dean of College of Engineering and Computer Science, UT Tyler
· Feb. 22 - Promoting Democracy - Dr. Marcus Stadelmann, Chair of Political Science, UT Tyler
· Feb. 29 - State of the Oceans - Dr. Robert Sterken, Professor of Political Science, UT Tyler
· March 7 - Indonesia - Dr. Amentahru Wahlrab, Visiting Professor of Political Science, UT Tyler
Briefing books, published by the Foreign Policy Association, national sponsor of Great Decisions discussions are available for sale and check-out at the Tyler Public Library.
For more information about Great Decisions, contact the Tyler Public Library at (903) 593-7323 or email programs@tylertexas.com.