Area Studies will host lecture by Middle East expert

An expert on the historical relationship between the West and the Muslim world will give a presentation on America’s return to Iraq.

Juan Cole, the Richard P. Mitchell collegiate professor of history at University of Michigan, will present, “How America Got Back Into Iraq: The Rise of the Islamic State Group,” at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room.

The event is free and open to the public; it is also highlights the Model Arab League event, which runs February 12-15 and is hosted by Middle East Studies.

Cole’s recent book, “The New Arabs: How the Wired and Global Youth of the Middle East Is Transforming It,” was published in June. He is a regular national media guest and has written extensively about Egypt, Iran, Iraq and south Asia.