Newswise — Florida State University’s nationally regarded experts in terrorism, trauma, communications and economics are ready to answer media questions and provide analysis of the historical, political, cultural and economic ramifications of the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
•Will Moore, professor of political science: (850) 644-6924; [email protected]Moore specializes in international relations and violence within and between countries. He can discuss terrorism, human rights and war:“Some groups that are frustrated by their limited public support will turn to terror tactics to pursue their agenda. This has been true throughout recorded human history, and will not change with the demise of a leader, or even a group, that has used such tactics."
•David A. Siegel, assistant professor of political science: (850) 645-0083; [email protected]Siegel’s research focuses on terrorism and political violence. He can discuss issues relating to mass mobilization, social influence, and the structure and functions of terrorist organizations:“To me, the most interesting thing regarding bin Laden’s capture is its location within Pakistan. It can be unclear whether someone’s cultural influence waxes or wanes upon being killed. However, if bin Laden had been more tied into al-Qaida’s operations than a location on the border of Afghanistan would have indicated, then his removal could have a significant effect on the ability of al-Qaida to remain coherent as a group and as a movement, leading to a decrease in efficacy.”
•Paul Beaumont, associate professor of economics, (850) 644-7085 or (850) 567-2022; [email protected]Beaumont, an expert on the economics of the Middle East and North Africa and Islamic finance, can address the ways that the news of bin Laden’s death is affecting oil prices and financial markets: “There is no rational reason why the death of bin Laden should affect world financial or oil markets. Nonetheless, in times of uncertainty, markets often appear to react irrationally in the short run to major news events.”
•Jeanette Castillo, assistant professor of digital media, (850) 644-8773 or (812) 272-3307; [email protected]Castillo researches the Internet and democracy and can discuss the role of Twitter in breaking the story of bin Laden’s death. She also can discuss the role of comedy in sharing news via social media:“Twitter played an interesting role in the breaking news of Osama bin Laden’s death. Tweets about the event appeared even prior to the network news announcements that President Obama was going to make a statement. As always, Twitter users reacted by using humor to process the news and tie it to other current and past events and political actors.”
•Davis Houck, professor of communication: (850) 980-2656; [email protected]Houck is an expert on political communication, media and culture. He can address the news coverage of bin Laden’s death: “One of the interesting things is how Americans are reacting to the news. We’ve seen a lot of rowdy youth celebrating in strategic places, engaged in flag-waving nationalistic celebrations, and then there are many Americans who are less celebrating a death and more reflecting on a just outcome. As the news coverage continues, however, partisan politics will rear its inevitable head. Many narrative threads remain to be written.”
•Sally J. Karioth, professor of nursing: Karioth will be in London until June 17. From the United States, she can be reached at 011-44-20-7813-3223 or [email protected]Karioth is an expert on grief, trauma, stress and compassion fatigue who counseled the survivors of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon and children who lost parents in the World Trade Center:“The death of bin Laden is unsettling. While it may bring some small relief to 9/11 survivors and their families, it certainly doesn’t bring back those who were lost and may, in fact, reactivate all the complicated responses those families have been attempting to reconcile since 9/11. It doesn't stop the ongoing wars or help the military families who worry every day that their loved ones may not come home. It is at best anticlimactic, an underwhelming end to the boogieman in our closet, who turned out to be smaller than life."
•John Kelsay, Richard L. Rubenstein Professor of Religion and Bristol Distinguished Professor of Ethics: (850) 645-8828; [email protected]Kelsay’s book “Arguing the Just War in Islam” (Harvard, 2007) outlines bin Laden’s approach to war, discusses its relation to historic Muslim teaching, and tracks contemporary Muslim debate occasioned by the claims and tactics of al-Qaida:“My work in comparative religions focuses on the military and political dimensions of Islam and Christianity.”
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