Birkett Williams lecturer analyzes American terrorism policies

R . Kim Cragin, PhD, a senior political analyst with the RAND Corporation, will speak at the annual Birkett Williams Lecture tonight at 7:30 p.m. in McBeth Recital Hall.

“[Cragin] will assess the United State’s policy to contain al-Qaeda — what has worked and what hasn’t worked — and present a policy statement on how to table al-Qaeda,” said Dr. Danny Hays, dean of Christian studies.

The lecture speaker choices rotate from school to school with each lecture, and this semester, the Pruet School of Christian Studies is responsible for a speaker.

Hays said the lecture series was established not to discuss religious topics but to discuss more general topic.

He chose Cragin because of the relevancy of terrorism.

“Terrorism is a very relevant national and international political issue and too often we just hear the politicians, not the experts. I thought it would be great if we could get a scholar’s point of view,” he said.

“It’s always good to hear directly from the experts, not filtered through the press and spun by the politicians.”

Cragin, who served on Gen. David Petraeus’ staff in Iraq, co-authored a book last year about women in terrorism. She frequently delivers briefings to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.

“She’s a pretty significant voice,” Hays said. “I know I’ve seen her on CSPAN at congressional meetings.”

Dr. Glenda Secrest, chair of the Awards and Events Committee—the committee responsible for coordinating the lecture series—said students should take advantage of the opportunity to hear Cragin.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to hear someone of that caliber for free,” she said. “And it’s about international terrorism, so that should be interesting.”

Hays said such a speaker is beneficial to students’ education.

“It’s good in education to come in contact with outstanding people who are at the top of their field,” he said.

“She went to OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University—and Cambridge. She’s a top expert. It’s a good part of education to hear ‘difference-makers.’”

By Tanner Ward, Signal Writer