Media Work:
I frequently give interviews, respond to questions and participate in programs with radio, news and print media organizations and interested individuals. The topics I am most interested in addressing include:
- current developments and issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- current developments in Iraq, including U.S. policies and insurgent strategies
- current and background discussions about terrorism and suicide bombings
- current issues regarding U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East
All media inquiries should be directed to:
Dr. Steve Niva
Lab 1, Room 1005
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505
Email: nivas@evergreen.edu
Office Phone: 360-867-5612
Talks and Speaking Engagements:
I frequently give lectures and talks, or engage in debates, on the Evergreen campus, in the Olympia community or at events held around the region and country. I am particularly interested in speaking to colleges, universities, community groups, religious institutions and activist gatherings. I typically ask for an honorarium to cover costs of travel, preparation and work-time for a specific event.
I have given or can give lectures in the following areas:
The History and Current Status of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
I can give a variety of talks on this topic, but the core of each is to provide an overview of key and often contested events in the emergence and present status of the conflict through detailed maps and images, answering questions about the history, cultures and views of the different participants. I have tailored several talks to address the issue of Israel’s separation barrier, its settlement strategies in the West Bank, Israel’s military strategies of occupation, and its 2008-9 war in Gaza and other current issues.
For example, I was a keynote speaker at the “Standing with the Living Stones: Searching for Peace in Israel/Palestine” conference held at Seattle’s University Presbyterian Church on April 18, 2008. He gave a talk entitled: “One Land, Two Peoples: Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Today” that was aired on TVW (Washington State’s cable television channel) the following week. For a streaming media version of the talk that was aired on TVW go to:
http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2008040100B&bhcp=1
I also participated in a debate on February 22nd 2007 at the University of San Francisco, in which I argued in the negative on “Is the Pro-Israel Lobby the Determining Factor in U.S. Middle East Policy?“ This debate was filmed and will be made into a video for distribution.
U.S. Foreign Policy and the Roots of Terrorism
I can give a variety of talks on this topic but the core of each will provide an overview of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, the rise of Al-Qaida and its strategies and tactics, differentiate between the different militant organizations in the region and consider the most effective and legitimate American policy responses
The Rise and Dissemination of Suicide Bombing
I review debates about the origins and roots of suicide bombings and provide an overview of the spread of suicide bombing as a tactic of late modern asymmetrical warfare, with a particular focus on Israel-Palestine and Iraq and the use of women suicide bombers.
The current strategic situation in Iraq
I frequently discuss the origins and current strategies of the U.S. occupation in Iraq, particularly the rise of a new “surge” counterinsurgency strategy, plans for a U.S. withdrawal and the realities on the ground and insurgent strategies.
For example, on March 1st, 2007, I gave supporting testimony at a hearing of the Washington State Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee on SJM 8003 – a measure requesting that Congress not fund an escalation of the war in Iraq. A link to the TVW broadcast of the hearing is at: http://www.tvw.org/MediaPlayer/Archived/WME.cfm?EVNum=2007030081&TYPE=V
All speaking inquiries should be directed to:
Dr. Steve Niva
Lab 1, Room 1005
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505
Email: nivas@evergreen.edu
Office Phone: 360-867-5612