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Dr. Michael Ledeen

Freedom Scholar

Areas of Impact:

Iran - Human Rights, Iraq, Iran

Biography:

Dr. Michael Ledeen is an internationally renowned scholar, whose ideas and insights on the workings of the Iranian government have been a critical part of the policy discussion for decades. He is a highly regarded expert on Iran’s Green Movement and maintains close ties to opposition groups inside Iran. His scholarship on Iraq, terrorism and international security have been sought after by those in and out of government and the intelligence community, the media and policy influencers.

Dr. Michael Ledeen is an internationally renowned scholar, whose ideas and insights on the workings of the Iranian government have been a critical part of the policy discussion for decades. He is a highly regarded expert on Iran’s Green Movement and maintains close ties to opposition groups inside Iran. His scholarship on Iraq, terrorism and international security have been sought after by those in and out of government and the intelligence community, the media and policy influencers.

He is a contributing editor at National Review Online. Previously, Dr. Ledeen served as a consultant to the National Security Council, the State Department, and the Defense Department.  He has also served as a special adviser to the Secretary of State. He holds a Ph.D. in modern European history and philosophy from the University of Wisconsin, and has taught at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Rome.

Dr. Ledeen’s forthcoming book, Virgil’s Golden Egg and Other Neapolitan Miracles; An Inquiry into the Nature of Creativity, is due out in June 2011.  Dr. Ledeen is the author of more than 20 books, the most recent of which include: Accomplice to Evil: Iran and the War Against the West; The War Against the Terror MastersThe Iranian Time Bomb; Machiavelli on Modern Leadership: Why Machiavelli's Iron Rules Are As Timely and Important Today As Five Centuries Ago; Tocqueville on American Character: Why Tocqueville's Brilliant Exploration of the American Spirit Is As Vital and Important Today As It Was Nearly Two Hundred Years Ago; and, Freedom Betrayed: How America Led a Global Democratic Revolution, Won the Cold War, and Walked Away.

Dr. Ledeen regularly appears on Fox News, and on a variety of radio talk shows.  He has been on PBS's NewsHour and CNN's Larry King Live, among others, and regularly contributes to the Wall Street Journal and to National Review Online. He has a tremendous following on his blog Faster Please, which supports Iran’s democracy movement.

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Dishonor and War

6th May 2012 – Faster, Please!

Dishonor and War

Michael Ledeen

I wonder what the Atrocities Board would say about the dreadful betrayal of freedom in China. Only kidding. This Orwellian institution is surely designed to deal only with old horrors; you know, those during the dark ages of Bushitlercheney. more...

Analysis & Commentary

6th May 2012 – Faster, Please!

Dishonor and War

Michael Ledeen

I wonder what the Atrocities Board would say about the dreadful betrayal of freedom in China. Only kidding. This Orwellian institution is surely designed to deal only with old horrors; you know, those during the dark ages of Bushitlercheney. more...

20th April 2012 – Faster, Please!

Taxes, Real Cash Money, and Corruption

Michael Ledeen

We’re in Italy, where the new government — headed by the distinguished economist Mario Monti — has three big initiatives: make it easier to fire workers, raise taxes on everyone, and limit the amount of money that can be paid in cash. more...

10th April 2012 – Faster, Please!

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. But Celebrated…

Michael Ledeen

It’s a tribute to the collapse of modern education that so many people, from pundits and professors to movie stars and policy makers, continue to repeat stereotypes and slogans that are demonstrably false and, in all likelihood, dangerous to our national health. more...

18th March 2012 – Faster, Please!

Iran and Syria are Getting Blown Up. And Sometimes Shot.

Michael Ledeen

It’s all the rage. Literally. Two explosions at Iranian military/nuclear weapons sites. Four explosions in Syria, including three suicide bombers in Damascus on Saturday, two of which were aimed at Syrian security forces buildings, all in the past few days. more...