Terrorism topic of panel of professors, experts

By Umaymah Rashid
The Collegian

A former FBI terrorism official who is now a consultant to California Homeland Security will be the featured speaker at the panel discussion, “Terrorism and Security 2006,” tonight at the St. Paul Newman Center in Fresno.

Thomas Knowles was selected as the featured speaker because of his extensive experience with and knowledge of counterterrorism.

“Mr. Knowles has such rich experience and we are very lucky to have him here,” political science professor and panelist Alfred Evans said. “I would feel safe saying that there’s nobody else in the Central Valley that has more knowledge than he does.”

Knowles spent time in the Army and worked as a police officer before joining the FBI in 1985.

From 1998 to 2001, Knowles was the chief of the FBI’s International Operations Section and from 2002 to 2006 he was the supervisor of the FBI’s Central California Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The panel discussion is being co-sponsored by the Department of Political Science and will also include Fresno State professor Melanie Ram.

Evans said the subject of terrorism and security is very relevant in light of the increase in terrorist activity against the United States and by bringing an expert on the subject, the public will be better informed.

“It’s an important issue because it’s really one of the challenges of our time,” Evans said. “I bring an academic perspective and he [Knowles] brings the perspective of someone who has been in the field and has more knowledge in this area.”

The panel will focus on what kind of organizations are targeting the United States, why they are targeting the nation and what strategies can be used to counter terrorism.

“I hope that people understand better the challenges that we face and understand what the United States has to do to deal with this threat,” Evans said. “The main overall theme is, while it’s easy to convince Americans that when we are attacked we have to be rough and use force, we also have to be smart in terms of the choice of strategy and the tactics we use.”

Sophomore Kevin Feaster said he believes the topic of terrorism and counter terrorism is a very serious one.

“I want to know what is being done to protect us and what can be done to lessen the threat of terrorism,” Feaster said.

Evans said his goal is not to provide what he believes is the solution but rather what most believe can be done about terrorism in the United States.

The discussion will be at 7 p.m. at the St. Paul Newman Center located at 1572 E. Barstow Ave. The event is open to the public and is free.

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