Asher Kaufman

Biography

Asher Kaufman is professor of history and peace studies. His region of expertise is the modern Middle East with a particular focus on Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, and Syria. His research interests include the history and legacy of nationalism and colonialism in the Middle East, border conflicts and dynamics, and the interplay between memory, history, and violence.

As a faculty member of the Kroc Institute, within the Keough School, Kaufman’s research is also embedded in the field of peace studies, normatively oriented towards the reduction of violence and the pursuit of justice and sustainable peace.

Kaufman’s current project examines the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the consequent 18-year occupation of South Lebanon from 1982 to 2000. As part of this project, he is interested in reconsidering the root causes of the Israeli invasion, the creation of the security zone, cross-border dynamics during the 18 years of the occupation of South Lebanon, and the South Lebanon Army, Israel's proxy militia.