Oprah Winfrey Network dismisses head of network

May 6, 2011 at 2:07 pm

OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, has dismissed Christina Norman, the head of the network. The move comes as OWN continues to show disappointing ratings. The following Boston University professors from the College of Communication are available to offer expert commentary and analysis:

Tobe Berkovitz is an associate professor of advertising. He is an expert in media strategy and time buying. Contact info: 617-353-7724,  tobetv@bu.edu

Cathy Perron is an associate professor in Film & Television. She is a former programming consultant for national cable networks and for public television. Contact info: 617-353-4976, cperron@bu.edu


By Jo Breiner | Posted in Media | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Oprah Winfrey Network dismisses head of network

Are we in a permanent state of war?

May 4, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Screen shot 2011-05-04 at 5.21.57 PMBoston University international relations professor Andrew Bacevich is an expert on U.S. foreign policy and military history. He is the author of "Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War." He appeared on MSNBC's "The Dylan Ratigan Show" to answer the question "Are we in a permanent state of global war?"

Watch full interview here.


By Jo Breiner | Posted in International relations | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Are we in a permanent state of war?

President Obama’s approval rating jumps

May 4, 2011 at 1:21 pm

The latest New York Times/CBS poll shows a significant jump in President Obama's approval rating since the killing of Osama bin Laden. Boston University professor Graham Wilson is the chair of the political science department and the author of "Only in America?: The Politics of the United States in Comparative Perspective." He offers the following comment on the recent poll numbers:

"George H.W. Bush won a war and yet lost an election. So Obama won't rest easy on a bump in his approval ratings. However, this achievement may have longer term significance in undermining the right's attempts to present him as unpatriotic or not even American. Those efforts now look pretty stupid."

Contact Graham Wilson, 617-353-2540, gkwilson@bu.edu


By Jo Breiner | Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on President Obama’s approval rating jumps

Pros & cons of releasing photo of a dead Osama bin Laden

May 4, 2011 at 8:08 am

Robert Hefner is an anthropology professor at Boston University. He is also the director of the Institute on Culture, Religion, and World Affairs (CURA). He spoke with WBZ-TV Ch. 4 on whether or not the photo of a dead Osama bin Laden should be made public.

Contact Robert Hefner, 617-353-2194, rhefner@bu.edu


By Jo Breiner | Posted in International relations | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Pros & cons of releasing photo of a dead Osama bin Laden

Arthur Hulnick on al Qaeda

May 3, 2011 at 11:42 am

Boston University international relations professor Arthur Hulnick is a 35-year veteran of the intelligence profession, mostly with the CIA. He is the author of "Keeping Us Safe: Secret Intelligence" and "Fixing the Spy Machine: Preparing American Intelligence for the 21st Century." Hulnick offers the following comment on what happens next to al Qaeda:

"Osama's lieutenants are already lining up to see who will lead al Qaeda, but since the group's terrorist operations have already been franchised, the jockeying for position may not mean much. None of the figures has the charisma of bin Laden, nor the loyalty of his followers. This does not mean the U.S. can drop its guard, but al Qaeda has taken a serious blow."

Contact Arthur Hulnick, 617-353-8978, ahulnick@bu.edu


By Jo Breiner | Posted in International relations | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Arthur Hulnick on al Qaeda

Osama Bin Laden killed by U.S. forces

May 2, 2011 at 11:07 am

The following Boston University professors are available to offer expert commentary, analysis, and insight on the death of Osama Bin Laden:

HulnickArthur Hulnick, a 35-year veteran of the intelligence profession, mostly with the CIA

Contact 617-353-8978, ahulnick@bu.edu

 

WipplJoseph Wippl, a 30-year CIA veteran

Contact 617-353-8992, jwippl@bu.edu

 

Faculty_Norton_ARAugust Richard Norton, International relations professor; Middle East specialist and a member of the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group; Author of "Hezbollah: A Short History"

Contact 617-353-7808, arn@bu.edu, Twitter: @arnorton

najam_adilAdil Najam, International relations professor; Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future; Expert on Pakistan and Middle East politics

Contact 617-358-4002, anajam@bu.edu, Twitter: @adilnajam

DunbarCharles Dunbar, International relations professor; Former U.S. ambassador to Yemen

Contact 617-353-5633, cfdunbar@bu.edu

 

zelnick_bobRobert Zelnick, Journalism professor; Former ABC News foreign correspondent; Regular contributor to PoliticoArena

Contact 617-353-5007, bzelnick@bu.edu

07-2325-008Tom Whalen, associate professor of Social Sciences; an expert on modern American politics and the American presidency; regular contributor to PoliticoArena

Contact 617-353-4785, tjw64@bu.edu

 

fiedler_tomTom Fiedler, Dean of the College of Communication; a former executive editor of the Miama Herald and an expert on American politics; regular contributor to PoliticoArena

Contact 617-353-3488, tfiedler@bu.edu, Twitter: @BUCOMDEAN


By Jo Breiner | Posted in International relations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Osama Bin Laden killed by U.S. forces

Mark Williams on Fox Business: Reaction to Bernanke news conference

April 27, 2011 at 6:57 pm

Contact Mark Williams, 617-358-2789, williams@bu.edu


By Jo Breiner | Posted in Banking, Finance | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Mark Williams on Fox Business: Reaction to Bernanke news conference

What’s the deal with the Dukan Diet?

April 26, 2011 at 1:33 pm

Joan Salge Blake, Clinical Associate Professor of Nutrition at College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College spoke to the Fox 25 Morning Show this morning, breaking down the truths and myths of the highly debated French protein-based Dukan Diet said to be helping Kate Middleton and her mother prepare for the Royal Wedding on Friday:


By Lauren Davalla | Posted in Health | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on What’s the deal with the Dukan Diet?

Jimmy Carter in North Korea

April 26, 2011 at 12:13 pm

Former president Jimmy Carter is in North Korea, along with three other former heads of state, to discuss stalled nuclear disarmament talks and human rights. Carter also hopes to meet with N. Korean leader Kim Jong II, who snubbed Carter during his visit last August. Carter was there to pick up American Aijalon Mahli Gomes, a Christian being held for illegally entering the country. Boston University international relations professor William Keylor, author of "A World of Nations: The International Order Since 1945" offers the following comment:

"This type of personal diplomacy by out-of-office politicians rarely has a beneficial effect. Washington needs to work closely with Beijing and the other participants in the stalled six-party talks to revive them. Government-to-government negotiations hold the only hope for a breakthrough on the nuclear issue."

Contact William Keylor, 617-358-0197, wrkeylor@bu.edu


By Jo Breiner | Posted in International relations | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Jimmy Carter in North Korea

Fed chairman Bernanke to hold press conference

April 26, 2011 at 9:26 am

In an unusual move, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will hold a press conference to answer questions about decisions made by the central bank. Bernanke will speak with reporters following the conclusion of tomorrow's policy meeting. Boston University School of Law professor Cornelius Hurley is director of BU's Center for Finance, Law & Policy (formerly the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law) and a former assistant general counsel of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. In an interview with the Boston Herald, Hurley said "the orchestrated but unpredictable media moment will put Bernanke in a difficult spot."

"Never mind the fastballs and curveballs from the reporters - just the obvious questions will be tough.

"I think at the end of the day Bernanke is in a box. If he says anything meaningful - that is, if the markets react to it - then he's made a mistake. But if it's typical Fed pablum, then everyone will wonder, why then did they even have this."

Contact Cornelius Hurley for additional comments at 617-353-5427, ckhurley@bu.edu, Twitter: @ckhurley


By Jo Breiner | Posted in Finance | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fed chairman Bernanke to hold press conference