Kennesaw State University’s conflict management expert comments on Iraq study group recommendations
KENNESAW‚ Ga. (Dec. 8‚ 2006) “Regarding Iraq‚ the approach since 9/11 has been to put out the…
Georgia (Dec 8, 2006) — Kennesaw State University’s conflict management expert comments on Iraq study group recommendations
Stacey Moore
Abstract
Bush’s Iraq approach has been to put out fire without fire prevention
Contact: Frances Weyand‚ Director of University Relations‚ 770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu
Expert available for media interviews; click here for photo
KENNESAW‚ Ga. (Dec. 8‚ 2006) “Regarding Iraq‚ the approach since 9/11 has been to
put out the fire‚ without enough attention to fire prevention” said Susan Raines‚
assistant director of the Center for Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University.
“The administration also will have to address the bigger picture – what is going on
with Israel and Palestine. While working toward peace in the Middle East – not just
progress in Iraq – it should be a multi−party effort which could include Iran‚ Syria
and others in order to achieve true conflict resolution on all fronts‚” she said.
Raines’ comments respond to a Dec. 7 article in USA Today reporting that a member
of the study committee cited Bush “needs to move from conflict management to conflict
resolution” with regard to the administration’s Iraqi war strategy.
According to the USA Today article‚ study commission member Edward Djerejian‚ a former
U.S. ambassador to Israel and Syria who helped draft much of the commission’s report‚
said‚ “The Bush administration has to move from ‘conflict management to conflict resolution
throughout the Middle East if its Iraq policies will have a chance to work.”
Raines‚ and internationally recognized expert in conflict management‚ explains the
differences between conflict management and conflict resolution. “There are shades
of gray when it comes to ‘conflict management’ and ‘conflict resolution‚’” she said.
“Conflict resolution addresses the root cause of the long−term intractable conflict‚
while conflict management typically acknowledges that conflict will inevitably arise‚
and systems should be created to handle ongoing conflict. In this case‚ the whole
idea is to move towards conflict resolution that addresses the roots of the problem.”
Raines’ research expertise includes alternative dispute resolution in multi−party
governmental conflicts. Recently named editor of Conflict Resolution Quarterly‚ Raines
holds a Ph.D. in public policy from Indiana University.
The mission of the Center for Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University is
both educational and service−oriented. The center works with the Political Science
and International Affairs department to support academic programs related to dispute
resolution and conflict management. In addition‚ the center collaborates with university
system partners‚ government entities‚ and corporations to develop conflict management
initiatives in many environments. For more information‚ visit http://www.kennesaw.edu/conflict.
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population approaching 20‚000 from 132 countries. The third−largest university
out of 35 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ Kennesaw State offers
more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degrees‚ including a new doctorate in education.
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
