The rationale of Richard Bulliet

Although he didn't get in the news much, the man who orchestrated the Ahmadinejad visit was none other than domestic animal and ancient wheel expert (and Iranian history specialist) Richard W. Bulliet. Bwog sat down in his posh office in the Middle East Institute to ask him about his reactions to the speech and his reactions to the reactions to the speech. He had a lot to say in between writing an op-ed for The Washington Post and getting ready for a Ramadan iftar with the president of Turkey and Hillary Clinton. Bulliet being Bulliet, his comments used up our tape. Here's what he said-- in the first hour, anyways. Read More here: http://www.bwog.net/articles/bulliet_again

From Columbia Students

This story appeared in The Morningside Post written by Columbia University students and It is is interesting:

Bollinger's Belligerence: SIPA Students Respond to Ahmadinejad Talk
Mujda Amini, MIA 2008
Jacqueline Carpenter, MIA 2008
Maryum Saifee, MIA 2007
David Trilling, MIA 2008

Yesterday, Lee Bollinger referred to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a "petty and cruel dictator" and openly doubted whether Mahmoud Ahmedinajad would have the "intellectual courage" to answer the questions posed. In the history of the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University, no guest has ever been treated with such contempt and disrespect.

In contrast, earlier yesterday President Bollinger introduced the President of Turkmenistan, also an autocrat with a dismal human rights record, with a tone of cordiality expected in a forum with a head of state. Why the difference between the two? Could it be the massive media attention present at the second forum inspired Bollinger's belligerence? Could it be because, in the end, Bollinger cowed to the very political pressure he has claimed all week that he was defending free speech against? ... Read More Here