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Experts available to comment on Bin Laden death

Media Contact

Beverly Clark
Elaine Justice

The following Emory experts are available to comment in the wake of President Barack Obama's announcement of the death of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden:

  • Nicholas Fotion, professor of philosophy and an expert in military ethics, can talk about whether the killing of Osama Bin Laden was justified as an act of war, the differences and parallels in ethical considerations between conventional wars and wars on terrorism, and whether terrorism violates conditions of just war theory. Fotion is the author of "War and Ethics: A New Just War Theory" (2008) and co-author of "Terrorism: The New World Disorder” (2008).  404.727.7672, philnf@emory.edu.
  • Vincent Cornell, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Emory University, can discuss what the death of Osama Bin Laden may mean for the future of Islamic extremism in general, for Al Qaeda and for democratic movements in the Arab world. Cornell, the author of the five-volume book set, "Voices of Islam, is directing the project, "Toward a Muslim Theology of World Religions," and a genealogy of the problematic of Islam and democracy. He also has been a key participant in the annual Building Bridges seminars by leading Christian and Muslim scholars conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. 404.727.8182, vcornel@emory.edu
  • Charles Shanor, a military and constitutional law expert, can discuss the legal and practical issues surrounding counterterrorism. He is the author of "Counterterrorism Law" (2011), and his recent articles include "Terrorism, Historical Analogies, and Modern Choices" (Emory International Law Review, 2010). 404.727.6811, cshanor@law.emory.edu
  • Abdullahi An-Na'im, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, is a leading authority on Islam and human rights and its place in secular and pluralistic societies. The author of the groundbreaking 1990 work, "Toward an Islamic Reformation," An-Na’im’s most recent work deals with the modernization of Shari'a and cultural legitimization of human rights. His project on the future of Shari'a and book on "Islam and the Secular State" has brought him worldwide attention. This week he delivered the keynote address, "A Democratic State Cannot Be 'Islamic'" at American University in Cairo. 404.727.1198, aannaim@emory.edu.
  • Nadine Kaslow, PhD, ABPP, is professor and vice-chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine and a family psychologist. Dr. Kaslow can discuss how individuals might react emotionally to the news that Bin Laden has been killed; both those who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks, and those who did not. Contact Kathleen Baker, 404.727.9371, kobaker@emory.edu

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