Great Decisons Topic

"Middle East: Regional Disorder"

How did the Middle East reach the crossroads it is today? The roots of the current disorder can be traced back to the aftermath of World War I when the region was carved up into six new states. A century after the maps of the region was decided by colonial powers, states that never achieved coherence or legitimacy are failing. There has been a crisis of leadership in the region that allowed groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda to carve out roles for themselves. What has been the role of the United States in these developments and our ability to shape the future?
 

Harry I. Chernotsky is Professor in the Department of Global Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and served as the founding chair of the department from 2009-2016. His previous positions included Director of International Studies and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.  He is the recipient of UNC Charlotte’s Bank of America Teaching Excellence Award and its International Education Faculty Award. 

 

Chernotsky received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University.  He specializes in international political economy and American foreign policy and has published in a wide range of professional journals.  His most recent work (with Heidi Hobbs) is Crossing Borders: International Studies for the 21st Century (3rd edition, 2018) and he is currently preparing a 4th edition of the text and studying the global engagement of U.S. cities. 

 

Dr. Chernotsky is a leader in international studies education. He has spearheaded numerous initiatives at UNC Charlotte, including the development of the Model United Nations program and the interdisciplinary International Studies major. He was Director of the North Carolina Great Decisions public affairs series and lectures widely on international affairs. He has also served as President of the Southern region of the International Studies Association (ISA) and as Chair of ISA’s International Education section In 2019, he was Scholar in Residence at Florida Atlantic University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.  He consults on international education issues and is currently working with the University of Cantabria (Spain) on a global studies certificate project.