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James L. Gelvin

Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History, University of California, Los Angeles

James L. Gelvin is Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received his B.A. from Columbia University, his Master's in International Affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, and his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He has taught at Boston College, Harvard University, MIT, and the American University in Beirut. A specialist in the modern social and cultural history of the Arab East, he is author of four books: The Arab Uprisings: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2012, 2015); The Modern Middle East: A History (Oxford University Press, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015);The Israel-Palestine Conflict: One Hundred Years of War (Cambridge University Press, 2005, 2007, 2014); and Divided Loyalties: Nationalism and Mass Politics in Syria at the Close of Empire (University of California Press, 1998), along with numerous articles and chapters in edited volumes. He is also co-editor of Global Muslims in the Age of Steam and Print, 1850-1930 (University of California Press, 2013).

Global Geopolitics Series

From bad to worse? 5 things 2018 will bring to the Middle East

Jan 09, 2018 15:31 pm UTC| Insights & Views

Its always dangerous to make predictions about the Middle East. After all, few experts foresaw Anwar al-Sadats trip to Jerusalem in 1977, which led to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state, nor did...

Global Geopolitics Series

Is the Islamic State finished? Five possible scenarios

Oct 28, 2016 10:32 am UTC| Insights & Views

Most military analysts believe its only a matter of time before Mosul falls. Mosul is Iraqs third largest city. The Islamic State captured it in June 2014 during a campaign that left it in control of territory the size...

Economy

US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns

The United States has initiated a new trade investigation into Vietnams handling of intellectual property (IP) rights, a move that could eventually lead to additional tariffs on Vietnamese imports. The investigation,...

US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook

The U.S. dollar weakened slightly on Friday as investor confidence improved following comments from President Donald Trump regarding a possible peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The prospect of easing...

Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar

Asian currencies traded in a narrow range on Friday while the U.S. dollar remained largely unchanged, as investors assessed reports suggesting the United States and Iran are close to extending their ceasefire agreement....

Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment

Asian stock markets posted strong gains on Friday, supported by a global technology rally and growing optimism surrounding a potential extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Investor confidence...

Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path

Tokyo consumer inflation slowed in May, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will continue taking a measured approach to monetary policy tightening as inflationary pressures remain moderate. According to...

Politics

US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay

A rare high-level military meeting between the United States and Cuba took place at the perimeter of the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, marking a significant development in U.S.-Cuba relations amid growing...

Trump Nears Decision on Iran Ceasefire Extension as Key Disputes Remain

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he is close to making a final decision on a proposed agreement to extend the current ceasefire with Iran, although major disagreements between Washington and Tehran continue to...

Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Access to Federal Lands in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday aimed at removing restrictions that limit access to federal lands across the United States, according to a statement from the White House. The move is part of...

Netanyahu Gaza Expansion Plan Sparks Hamas Condemnation and International Concern

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus announcement that Israel plans to expand its area of control in Gaza has drawn strong criticism from Hamas, European governments, and residents of the Palestinian territory. The...

Russia Prepares New Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine, Zelenskiy Warns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned that Russia is preparing a major new attack on Ukraine, citing intelligence reports that indicate plans for a large-scale military strike. The announcement comes as...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

Technology

SoftBank to Invest €75 Billion in France AI Data Center Expansion by 2031

SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984) has announced plans to invest up to 75 billion ($87.5 billion) in France to develop and operate 5 gigawatts (GW) of artificial intelligence data center capacity, marking one of the largest AI...

Kentucky School District Secures $27 Million in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Settlements

A Kentucky school district has secured nearly $27 million in settlements from major social media companies over allegations that their platforms contributed to a growing student mental health crisis. The financial details,...

MongoDB Q1 FY2027 Earnings Beat Expectations, Raises Full-Year Outlook

MongoDB (NASDAQ: MDB) delivered stronger-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, fueled by growing demand for its database platform among enterprises and organizations developing artificial intelligence...

SpaceX IPO Could Become Largest in History with $1.8 Trillion Valuation Target

Elon Musks SpaceX is reportedly moving forward with plans for a historic initial public offering (IPO), targeting a valuation of at least $1.8 trillion. According to a Bloomberg News report citing sources familiar with the...

Autodesk Beats Q1 Estimates, Acquires MaintainX for $3.6 Billion

Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) reported stronger-than-expected financial results for its fiscal first quarter and announced a major $3.6 billion acquisition of MaintainX, a move that strengthens its position in AI-powered...