Dr. Michael P. Krom, assistant professor of philosophy at Saint Vincent College, has been named an academic fellow in terrorism studies by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and will travel to Israel for an intensive course in terrorism studies and how democracies can defeat the worldwide terrorist threat. FDD is a non-partisan policy institute headquartered in Washington, D.C.

“My general work is on the role of religion in society and, given the growing significance of religious-based terrorism in recent years, it was only natural that I would consider a program that affords researchers an opportunity to study this phenomenon,” Dr. Krom commented. “A few years ago, I had an opportunity to participate in a workshop on politics and religion in contemporary Islamic discourse and thus have acquired an interest in Islamic terrorism. Since this unique program will allow me to learn from experts in the field coming from many different backgrounds, I hope to learn how the problem of terrorism is approached in an interdisciplinary context. Next fall, I will teach a class on the relationship among philosophy, religion and politics, and I plan to incorporate aspects of the program into the course, specifically addressing the question, what is the role of religion in a pluralistic society.”

The FDD Academic Fellows program provides a 10-day learning experience to U.S.-based teaching and research professionals to provide them with cutting edge information about defeating terrorist groups. The 2009 program, which will be conducted at Tel Aviv University, includes lectures by academics and military and intelligence officials, as well as diplomats from Israel, Jordan, India, Turkey and the United States. It also includes “hands on” experience through visits to police, customs and immigration facilities, military bases and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists.

“Terrorism is the greatest threat today to the world’s democracies, including the United States and our allies around the globe,” said Clifford May, President of FDD. “To win the war against terrorism, we must win the war of ideas by promoting democracy and defeating the totalitarian ideologies that drive and justify terrorism.”

Dr. Krom did his undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s College in California where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He earned a master’s degree in philosophy from Boston College and was awarded a Ph.D. from Emory University. In addition to his diverse educational background, Dr. Krom has also studied four languages including French, German, Japanese and Latin.

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