Veteran war correspondent Charles Glass to discuss Syrian conflict at Baker Institute Feb. 11

MEDIA ADVISORY

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Veteran war correspondent Charles Glass to discuss Syrian conflict at Baker Institute Feb. 11

HOUSTON – (Feb. 8, 2019) – Veteran war correspondent Charles Glass will draw on his decadeslong career covering the Middle East to address crucial questions surrounding Syria’s past, present and future in a presentation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy Feb. 11.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1987.

Who: Charles Glass, an author and journalist who served as the chief Middle East correspondent for ABC News from 1983 to 1993.

Edward Djerejian, director of the Baker Institute and former U.S. ambassador to Syria and Israel, will give introductory remarks.

What: A presentation titled “The Syrian Conflict: Perspectives from a War Correspondent.”

When: Monday, Feb. 11, 6:30-8 p.m. A reception will be at 6.

Where: Rice University, James A. Baker III Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

The Middle East has captivated the world’s attention for its perpetual shifting alliances, conflicts and wars over the past several decades. Syria embodies this complex and troubled history. Following the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, Syria plunged into a civil war that has since sparked a massive refugee crisis. The instability in Syria has drawn in external powers — Russia, Iran, Turkey, Arab Gulf countries and the U.S. With President Donald Trump’s recent announcement on withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria, the conflict seems to pose more questions than answers.

Throughout his journalistic career, Glass has covered wars in the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. His writing has appeared in Harper’s Magazine, The New York Review of Books, The Nation, the London Review of Books, Granta and The Guardian. Glass himself became the subject of headlines in 1987 when, as an ABC News correspondent,  he was taken hostage and held for two months by Shi’a militants in Lebanon.

In his presentation, Glass will speak on his experiences with the rich history and complexity of Syria that are often overlooked, providing a thoughtful analysis of where Syria stands today and what the nation’s future holds. Glass will also briefly discuss his latest book, “They Fought Alone: The True Story of the Starr Brothers, British Secret Agents in Nazi-Occupied France,” which will be available for sale and signing following the presentation.

A live webcast of the event will be available at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/events/1987.

Members of the news media who wish to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

For a map of Rice University’s campus with parking information, go to www.rice.edu/maps. Media should park in the Central Campus Garage (underground).

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Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top three university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.