Hello, Political Pulse readers! Welcome to the the new year and new semester. This this issue features Dr. Tom Najem who specializes international relations, comparative politics of the developing world and Middle East politics.

The start of the semester is always exciting, but especially this semester as I am teaching Canadian elections and political parties. We started the class with history in the making as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his intention to leave politics. The class will be conducting an election simulation and we’ll be announcing in an upcoming newsletter how people can watch online through social media channels.

Speaking of social media, have you seen our Instagram lately? Our students have been doing a fantastic job featuring courses and activities in the department. Some of the most exciting features are those that provide a day in the life of an undergraduate student. They are seeking volunteers from our student body for anyone wishing to partake. Check out the information below to find out how to participate. (They’ve even roped me into doing a takeover this month - so stay tuned to find out what life is like for a Department Head).

Although this edition is a bit later than usual, you can see we have a lot of fun-packed activities for the start of the term. I’m especially looking forward to the Trivia night sponsored by the student group WINMUN.

Inside this Issue

• Instagram Takeover

• Trivia Night

• EDID Book Club

• Q&A with Dr. Tom Najem

• Staffing Update

• Model UN Team Heads to Carelton

• Model UN Team in Washington

• Important Academic Dates

To participate DM uwinpol on Instagram with your name, major, and a proposed takeover day. Please include your schedule for your proposed day and what you will be highlighting on Instagram.

Join us for this exciting night of fun-filled trivia sponsored by the student group WINMUN. It is sure to be a great event with a faculty-student show down. Here’s your chance to best your professors!

As part of an initiative of the EDID committee, the Political Science Department is excited to host a book club for Winter 2025! The book club will be hosted by the undergraduate representatives, Grace and Sughra. The novel of choice is Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The novel follows the story of Kambili, a young Nigerian woman, as she struggles to come to terms with her identity and culture in post-colonial Nigeria. In relation to EDID, this fictional novel addresses the deep-seated effects of colonialism and how it continues to shape one’s identity and culture. Ultimately, this novel conveys a message of personal freedom and the power to take control of one’s own narrative.

The book club will be running weekly on Fridays from 1-2pm starting on January 31 in Chrysler Hall North room 1146.

All who are interested are welcome to come!

 If you are interested, fill out the form here.

If you have any questions, contact Grace ([email protected]) or Sughra ([email protected]) 

Q: What inspired you to become a professor?

A: Well, that is a good question. Let me start by saying that it was not a career that I gave much thought to before entering university (heck, I don’t believe I met a professor prior to beginning university). My plan was to major in political science, which I figured was an excellent avenue into law school.

However, global events (combined with interesting courses in international relations taught by first rate profs., a couple of which I remain in contact with to this day) piqued my interest in global politics. There was the end of the Cold War, but significantly, the first Gulf War, which turned my attention to the Middle East, a region I have followed closely ever since.

Following the completion of my PhD, I started my first academic job in Morocco, at a university nestled in the beautiful mid-Atlas Mountains of northern Africa (a place that saw knee deep snow as early as November).  And from day one, I knew that I loved teaching and would want to pursue it long term. Twenty-seven or so years later, three different academic institutions, including more than two decades at Windsor, and my enthusiasm for teaching remains. I think it’s the students. Whether in Morocco, England or Canada, they have always been a pleasure to teach. They are smart and engaging.

Q: What is your area of research?

A: I have three major areas of research, which overlap to some degree: 1) Middle Eastern politics; 2) the nexus between international intervention in civil conflict, the responsibility to protect (R2P), and the role of media; and 3) track two diplomacy and conflict resolution.  I am especially proud of the work of the Jerusalem Old City Initiative, a decade long Track II project that I managed along with three former Canadian diplomats, that examined along with a range of key stakeholders (Israelis, Palestinians, regional and international actors), creative options for helping to resolve the intractable question of governance of Jerusalem’s Old City. The ideas emanating from the work have figured in various ways in official diplomacy and is considered by some reputable venues as one of three viable options for a resolution to that aspect of the conflict.

 Q: What projects are you currently working on? How has your thinking on the topic evolved over time?

A: I continue to work, to some extent, on all three areas of research, but all at different tempos. Some projects are more advanced than others. The world is a complicated place, and it is easy to get down because of the direction the international system has apparently taken. Let me just say this.  We require far-thinking politicians to manage this complex world. The changing power structures in the international system have made this ever more important. Further, as I like to remind students when talking about international relations, it is important to consider as many different perspectives as possible.

Q: What courses are you teaching this semester? What are you excited about teaching this semester?

A: This semester I am teaching POLS1600: Introduction to International Relations and POLS4620: Interdisciplinary Approaches to International Relations. I especially love teaching POLS1600. Over the past two years, I’ve taught large classes. Most students have been political science students, but many come from other disciplines. I very much enjoy introducing them to international relations and the various theoretical perspectives to view the global system. I don’t support a specific theoretical lens; I want students to appreciate the fact that there are multiple ways in which to view the world, and they are all rich in their own ways.

Q: Do you have any tips on how to succeed in university?

A: First, you need to manage your time well. This includes coming to class; if you want to succeed, you must come to class. There are 12 weeks in a semester, the first is an introduction and the last is a summary of material covered, so there are basically 10 weeks of learning. If you’re taking five classes and there are assignments and midterms in each, it adds up. Managing your time wisely to meet all your deadlines is an important part of succeeding in university.

Secondly, you must be willing to respect and be receptive to different perspectives on various issues. The university in general has thousands of students that come from all walks of life.  It is important to appreciate the diversity and the rich experience our university community provides. It will help you to succeed in life.

Q: Considering the ousting of Assad in Syria, what are the prospects for the country in creating a functioning government, infrastructure, economy, and providing resources for its citizens?

A: The Syrians are a proud people who have contributed greatly to the region and deserve peace and stability. The Middle East in general is a highly complicated region where there is no regional security order. There are numerous regional actors and powers that are trying to influence the direction of the country, and if it is not handled carefully, it could be dangerous. This is a question that nobody has the answer to. Syria is a deeply divided society trying to emerge from a multi-year civil war. It is largely at the mercy of these regional powers, and again, needs to be handled carefully. Let me conclude by just saying this: it will be quite the challenge to piece Syria back together.

Q: Considering the various conflicts occurring in the world right now, and the fact that the global order is no doubt shifting, there is a pressing need to reassess how we view the world. Where do you see development of the international system going?

A: By nature, I am a very optimistic person, who likes people and appreciates different cultures. But I have been told by my colleagues that I have become very pessimistic in my thinking on where the global system is heading. I admit that the world is heading in a direction that I rather wish it would not – one defined by great power competition and a greater demonization of the other, amongst other things. I do think there are ways to mitigate inevitable big power politics, which sort of cuts against IR realist theory. One thing that is needed is a greater appreciation for strategic empathy, but that would require political leaders with vision and a special skill set.

It is with mixed feelings that we say goodbye to Sandy Gomes who has been the Graduate Secretary for the past 3 years. Sandy has been an invaluable team member helping graduate students orient to their new role, completing numerous forms, and supporting the work of our graduate chairs. Her friendly disposition and overall efficiency will be greatly missed.

Good news for the university is that she is not leaving our orbit, but has taken on a new role in the Schulich medical school as an Educational Assistant, working with Schulich Medical school students and supervising physicians at the hospital.

We wish Sandy all the best in her new role.

For the first time since 2014 the University of Windsor is sending a delegation of students to represent the university at the upcoming Model NATO Conference, hosted by Carleton University in Ottawa. This prestigious event, taking place 20-23 February 2025, brings together students from across Canada to simulate a NATO summit. Every participating university is assigned a country and are required to collaboratively engage in diplomacy and tackle global security challenges in a simulated setting.

Our team is comprised of passionate students, from disciplines such as International Relations and Development, Political Science, Law and Politics, Sociology & Criminology, and Psychology.  They have spent the past few months holding weekly preparation meetings including, mock sessions and debate preparation. They have also conducted in-depth research of various NATO Member States, geographical regions, and ongoing NATO engagements. The team is eager to showcase their skills in negotiation, strategy, and international cooperation. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience in international affairs and represent Windsor on a national stage.

If you are interested in participating in future conferences or if you are interested in International Affairs, please follow us and reach out to us on Instagram @Uwinm_nato

The University of Windsor's UWill Discover team of 10 enjoyed success at the National Model United Nations conference, Nov. 8 to 10 in Washington, D.C. in competition with more than 900 representatives of schools from across North America and beyond.

Representing Bangladesh, the group won a Distinguished Delegates award, and criminology mater’s student Malaka Asfari won an award for Outstanding Position Paper at the International Organization for Migration meeting.

“I am proud that our delegates entered the experience with action-based listening strategies geared toward collaborative innovations,” says faculty advisor Tim Brunet.

He said head delegate Sona Regonda demonstrated exceptional leadership in setting and executing the team’s performance based on her experiences from last year’s conference.

“National Model United Nations is the best experiential learning opportunity I’ve seen for leadership training,” says Dr. Brunet. “It involves research, public speaking, writing, collaborating, diplomacy, adjusting listening positions, and having honest conversations about globally complex targets.”

The UWindsor team comprises undergraduate and graduate students who have lived on four continents. That geopolitical and academic diversity proved advantageous when proposing policy solutions to global human development challenges.

Besides Regonda and Asfari, the team included:

• Anastasia Kulaga (history and political science)

• Eric Joshi (political science)

• Faadel Asfari (business)

• Femi Rufino Soluade (political science)

• Jana Jandal Alrifai (environmental studies)

• Kennedy Murray (master of education)

• Linda Nguyen (integrative biology)

• Yohana Llacza Chavez (master of management)

Some members have been invited to vie for internship positions with the National Model United Nations organization.