
Michael Rubin
Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). He previously worked as an official at the Pentagon, where he dealt with issues in the Middle East
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute; senior lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Civil-Military Relations; and senior editor of the Middle East Quarterly. Between 2002 and 2004, Rubin worked as a staff advisor for Iran and Iraq in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon,…
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Full Bio
Michael Rubin is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute; senior lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Civil-Military Relations; and senior editor of the Middle East Quarterly. Between 2002 and 2004, Rubin worked as a staff advisor for Iran and Iraq in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon, in which capacity he was seconded to Iraq. Between 2004 and 2009, he was chief editor of the Middle East Quarterly.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rubin received a B.S. degree in biology from Yale University in 1994, and a Ph.D. in history from the same institution in 1999. He has previously worked as a lecturer in history at Yale University, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC, and at three different universities in northern Iraq. He has lived and conducted research in Yemen, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and with the Taliban in Afghanistan pre-9/11.
Rubin regularly instructs senior U.S. army officers deploying to the Middle East and Afghanistan, and also teaches classes aboard deploying U.S. carrier strike groups and Marine Expeditionary Units.
Rubin is author of Into the Shadows: Radical Vigilantes in Khatami’s Iran (Washington Institute, 2001), co-author of Eternal Iran: Continuity and Chaos (Palgrave, 2005), and co-editor of Dissent and Reform in the Arab World: Empowering Democrats (American Enterprise Institute Press, 2008). Encounter will publish a third book, Dancing with the Devil, detailing a half-century of American diplomacy with rogue regimes and terrorist groups, in 2014.
Rubin lives in Maryland with his wife Anna Borshchevskaya and their daughter, born in 2012.
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Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The Iranian Challenge
Talk will go behind the headlines to discuss the secret history of U.S. and Iranian relations in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. While diplomats struggle to resolve conflicts over Iran’s nuclear program and terrorism, the shadows of the past impact the future. From the hostage crisis to the Iran-Contra Scandal, and from the Iron Fist to the Outstretched Hand, “The Iranian Challenge” will show just how many impediments exist on both sides of the conflict, and offer predictions as to the future.
The Theological Roots of Islamic Terrorism
For policymakers, religion is not simply what theologians say it is, but rather what its practitioners believe it to be. While most Muslims may be peaceful and moderate, the extremist fringe interprets Islam to justify terrorism. “The Theological Roots of Islamic Terrorism” will highlight how extremists think, how extremists brainwash suicide bombers, and the challenges moderates face when confronting an extremist fringe.
Turkey: Ally or Adversary?
Successive American presidents considered Turkey a key American ally and a model for the Middle East. Over the last decade, however, Turkey has changed. “Turkey: Ally or Adversary” will trace the growth of Islamism and anti-Americanism within Turkey, the declining situation of Turkish women, and Turkey’s shift from Europe to the Middle East before considering whether Turkey today is more an adversary than an ally for the United States and Europe.
Pakistan’s Double Game
In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pakistan’s president famously declared Pakistan an ally of the United States in its battle against terrorism. Yet, in Afghanistan, India, and with Al Qaeda, Pakistani authorities appear complicit in terrorism. Drawing on interviews with senior Pakistani political and intelligence officials, “Pakistan’s Double Game,” will explain how Pakistan thinking has diverged from the United States with regard to terrorism and radicalism, and where the Pakistan-U.S. relationship might head in the future.
Talking to Terrorists
There is an old adage that goes, “One man’s terrorist is another man’s terrorist.” While the United States often says it will never negotiate with terrorism, U.S. diplomatic history is rife with outreach to terrorist groups. “Talking to Terrorists” will consider the promise and peril of negotiating with terrorists, from the IRA to the PLO and from Hamas to Hezbollah.
Afghanistan: Back to the Future?
The United States and its allies will largely withdraw from Afghanistan over the coming year. How might that withdraw shape the future of Afghanistan? Will the Taliban make a comeback? Will Afghan women lose the tenuous rights they have achieved to date? “Afghanistan: Back to the Future?” will show how history has shaped Afghans’ thinking about their future, and consider what Afghanistan might look like in the years to come.
The Arab Spring Break
The Arab Spring has turned decidedly chilly. The Civil War rages in Syria and Egypt still reels from its coup. Tunisia teeters and Libya threatens to descend into chaos. “The Arab Spring Break” will look over the horizon at the political and economic challenges which loom, and how the instability of 2012 and 2013 might suddenly seem like the good ole’ days.
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America's Forum - Michael Rubin discusses the latest attack on Israel
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