Thomas Ambrosio, professor of criminal justice and political science, was named an “academic fellow” for 2012-13 by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan policy institute headquartered in Washington, D.C. Ambrosio will travel to Israel at the end of May for an intensive course in terrorism studies, and in particular, how democracies can defeat the worldwide terrorist threat.

“Terrorism is the greatest threat today to the world’s democracies, including the United States and our allies around the globe,” said Clifford May, president of the foundation. “To win the war against terrorism, we must win the war of ideas by promoting democracy and defeating the totalitarian ideologies that drive and justify terrorism.”

The Academic Fellows program provides a 10-day learning experience to U.S.-based teaching and research professionals to provide them with the latest information about defeating terrorist groups. The 2012 program, which will be conducted at Tel Aviv University from May 27 to June 6, includes lectures by academics, military and intelligence officials, as well as diplomats from Israel, Jordan, India and the United States. It also includes visits to police, customs and immigration facilities, military bases and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists.

“I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to listen and participate in the exchanges and interactions which we will all have in Israel,” Ambrosio said. “It should be useful experience for a course I plan to teach on international terrorism next year and other related academic activities.”

For more information on the foundation, contact Dana Murphy, campus programs coordinator, at 202-207-0190.

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