At a time when maritime strategy is an increasingly prominent factor in the economic and defense arenas for Israel and the world, University of Haifa is hosting top American security expert and decorated U.S. combat veteran Brian Michael Jenkins as part of a major one-day conference on geostrategy.
The university is home to a leading maritime policy center as well as a unique academic program in maritime sciences. This year’s conference, “Geostrategy and Maritime Aspects,” will be held on Jan. 24 from 9 am-4 pm.
Jenkins is a senior adviser to the president of the RAND Corporation and is also involved with the Mineta Transportation Institute (where he directs research on protecting surface transportation against terrorist attacks). He is the author of numerous books, reports, and articles on terrorism-related topics, is slated to present the American perspective as part of a discussion on “How a Democratic State Defends Against Terrorism.”
In addition to having been a former member of the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, Jenkins also served as an adviser to the U.S. National Commission on Terrorism.
The university will also present the 2017 Chaikin Prize for outstanding research in geostrategy at the conference, which is organized Jointly by the University’s Haifa Research Center for Maritime Policy & Strategy (HMS) and the Chaikin Chair for Geostrategy.
“Much of Israel’s future—including national security and economic success—lies in the sea,” said Karen Berman, CEO of American Society of the University of Haifa. “Therefore, it is no surprise that University of Haifa, a leader in fields of contemporary importance, has made maritime strategy and studies one of the crown jewels of the University.”
“HMS is honored to host Brian Michael Jenkins, an American hero and a globally respected scholar, as part of a conference that promises to generate new insights, partnerships, and ultimately breakthroughs in geostrategy and maritime policy,” said Prof. Rear Admiral (ret.) Shaul Chorev, the head of HMS and the immediate past leader of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission.