why defunding?
Reader comment on item: Defund Middle East Studies

Submitted by Donata Bohanec (United Arab Emirates), Feb 25, 2004 at 00:15

I understand your argument Mr. Pipes, though my first thought, though a little cliche, is 'Why the baby with the bathwater?' I appreciate the intent of Congress in adding funding post-sept 11th, mainly because funding should follow interest, and more people are interested in this region. But to end funding because professors may or may not be teaching a fair course is ridiculous, and rather should be solved through academic means - argue back!

...I do not understand your statement regarding choices of study in the Middle East Programs. Students may find interest and knowledge of the Middle East through various means, through architecture, music, archaeology even, and may use those areas to become quite knowledgeable of the region - that can improve government efforts. Who cares how a student gets the interest, but it takes a lot of interest to learn the Arabic language, so we need as many people with as much interest as possible, to learn about what is going on. Then we can have more perspectives of understanding to relate to a part of the world that it going to become increasingly important, not less.

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