With war possibly only days or hours away, Saint Louis University experts are available to discuss many issues related to the conflict with Iraq. The following experts have extensive experience working with the media.
MILITARY ASPECTS: A former decorated military officer who served in Vietnam, Dr. Timothy Lomperis is the chairman of the political science department. For decades he has studied military intervention and currently is writing a book on the subject. He can discuss the various military and strategic issues surrounding this story. Based on his own experiences, he also can describe what soldiers are feeling as they go into battle.
UNITED NATIONS/DIPLOMACY: A researcher on international issues for 30 years, Dr. Jean-Robert Leguey-Feilleux (Zhan-Robear Legay-Feeyou) is a professor of political science at Saint Louis University. An expert on the U.N. and the Middle East, Leguey-Feilleux can explain the diplomatic and international politics angles of this story.
CHEMICAL WARFARE: Bruce Clements, M.P.H., is associate director of SLU's renowned Center for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections. Clements, a military veteran, can discuss the effects of chemical warfare and whether the United States is prepared for a bioterrorism attack.
SOLDIERS AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS: Professor of psychology Dr. Terri Weaver is an expert on post-traumatic stress disorder. She can discuss the trauma of the conflict, what the soldiers will face when they return as well as the psychological affects on their family.
RESPONDING TO BIOTERRORISM: A veteran ER doctor, Griffin Trotter, M.D., can discuss if first responders are ready for a chemical attack. He is an assistant professor at SLU's Center for Health Care Ethics.
HOSPITAL READINESS: An Air Force major and clinical instructor of nursing, Michelle Mandy, R.N., can tell you if local hospitals are prepared to handle a major terrorist attack.
NURSES AND TERRORISM: Dr. Dotti James or Dr. Joanne Langan can discuss the leadership role nurses must take in managing the aftermath of a terrorist attack in the United States. James and Langan helped create a training program for U.S. nurses modeled after procedures followed in Israel, where terrorism is a daily fact of life.
MILITARY MEDICAL READINESS: Saint Louis University is one of three sites in the country hosting the CSTARS program, a "boot camp" for Air Force medical personnel. Program director Jeffrey Bailey, M.D., an Air Force major, can discuss what steps military medics need to take to prepare for combat. Bailey also can demonstrate how to operate the specialized medical equipment used in the Gulf.
THE POLITICAL ANGLES: Prominent analyst Dr. Ken Warren can discuss the various political issues surrounding war. As a professional pollster, he also has his finger on the pulse of American public opinion. A professor of political science, Warren is the author of the internationally acclaimed "In Defense of Public Opinion Polling."
LEGAL ISSUES: Law professor Joel Goldstein is a one of the nation's premier experts on the presidency and vice presidency. He can compare how past administrations have handled times of war to today. Goldstein is especially knowledgeable in the role Vice President Dick Cheney plays in the Bush administration.
MARKETS AND BANKRUPTCY: Professor of finance Dr. Michael Alderson can discuss the impact of war on the financial markets as well as the possibility that companies, including the airlines, may face bankruptcy if the conflict lingers.
ECONOMICS OF WAR: Professor of economics Dr. Muhammad Islam can discuss the effects of war on the economy, fuel prices and the budget deficit. Islam has researched and written about the economics of war.
WAR AND RECESSION: Professor of economics Dr. Patrick Welch can discuss what impact the war will have on the recession as well as general economic effects.
THE AMERICAN PSYCHE: The chairman of SLU's sociology department Dr. Charles Marske is an excellent source to discuss how the war will affect American society, especially when Americans already are facing the threat of terrorism and an uncertain economy.
DEALING WITH ANXIETY: Joan Lang, M.D., chair of the department of psychiatry, can offer ways to manage the anxiety many people feel about being at war.
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT WAR: Kenneth Haller, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, can provide real-world advice for parents about talking to their children about the war.
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