A Personal Note
Welcome to my internet site. You will find in it an intellectual profile of my research, teaching and other academic activities and achievements since the completion of my Ph.D. dissertation, that was approved summa-cum-laude by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Let me sketch in brief the broad essence, substance and teaching interests and related academic work. As a rule, these interests have dual foci. The first has been theoretical-conceptual with an emphasis on policy relevant issues. The other has been empirical-historical with an emphasis on Asian international politics since the end of the Second World War.
I consider is critically important that empirical-historical analysis will not be just descriptive but be founded and driven by theoretical conceptualizations and insights. It is of similar importance that theoretical observations will be closely linked and validated by empirical analysis based predominntly on detailed case-studies research.
Having clarified my broad approach to academic enterprises, I shall now set out below the specific issue- areas that are addressed in my research, publications and teaching. The theoretical domain, is centered broadly on strategic behavior and political psychology. More specifically, my work addresses decision-making, information processing, perception and misperception, risk-taking preferences and conflict management.
The empirical pillar of my work concentrates mostly on Asia, and more specifically on South and South-East Asia since 1945. While I occasionally digressed both theoretically end empirically to other issue and areas these were exceptions. To get an extensive direct impression of the scope of my work readers should follow the detailed list of publication, courses taught and other related activities that can be found below.
It is commonly true that “no man is on island”. I am doubly blessed in that sense. During all stages of my career, starting as a student, I had the opportunity to learn from the best. As a professor in later years, I have been able to draw on the advice and insights of some of the most influential scholars and colleagues in the areas of my research. For obvious reasons I cannot list all of them. But I will mention three distinguished scholars that have had the most impact on my work and academic career: Professor Michael Brecher of McGill University; the late Professor Ellis Joffe of the Hebrew University; and the late Professor Alexander George of Stanford University. Similarly, I was fortunate over the years to work with and have the teaching and research assistance, of many talented students. Last, but not least, I have been lucky to have highly capable and excellent administrative assistance.
Much of my academic work has been pursued at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. But I have had repeated opportunities to work abroad in diverse institutional environments and academic cultures, in North America, Europe and Asia. These experiences no doubt contributed tremendously to the creativity and originality of my research by providing multiple opportunities to learn exchange ideas and debate views with a broad and diverse range of scientists from different cultures, convictions and methodological approaches.