Studying terrorism: Students on front lines of global threat
Juniors Amanda Downing and Arielle Kuiper
travelled to Israel recently to learn about the global threat of
terrorism. The pair are participating in a yearlong undergraduate
fellowship program sponsored by the Foundation for the Defense of
Democracies (FDD), a Washington, D.C.-based non-partisan think tank.
The program teaches students about terrorist threats directed at
America and allied democracies around the world.
Forty-two students
were selected from around the country to participate in the unique
program. The fellowship began with the 14-day trip to Israel in August
and continues on campus in the fall. This is the second year William
and Mary students have participated in the program. Last year Kori
Lorick (‘08) and Andrews Reeves (’08) were FDD fellows.
Downing is an English/History double major who plans to pursue a legal
or diplomatic career. Kuiper, who has a strong interest in national
security issues, is double-majoring in international relations and
biology.
“Terrorism has become a major issue in international politics,
especially in the Middle East,” said Downing. “The FDD fellowship
program will give me the opportunity to study the history and modern
development of international terrorism.”
While in Israel, the students were based at Tel Aviv University, where
they heard presentations from military, intelligence and political
officials, as well as academic experts in the field of terrorism.
Participants attended lectures featuring ambassadors from India,
Jordan, Turkey and the United States. In addition, the fellows
participated in a variety of excursions to military bases and border
positions to better understand how democratic states fight terrorism.
“I was extremely excited to travel to Israel and have the privilege of
working with so many knowledgeable and experienced individuals,” said
Kuiper. “This was a highly unique opportunity to learn about
international terrorist threats and how to prevent them.”
The students plan to present five events on campus over the course of
the school year that will raise awareness of the threats of terrorism.
The team will continue a campus tradition by presenting a 9/11 Memorial
September 11th to honor the victims of the 2001 tragedy.
Cliff May, President of FDD, described the fellowship as “an
opportunity for an elite group of students to become educated on the
historical, cultural, philosophical and ideological factors that drive
terrorism and how best to eradicate it.”
