Stuart Krusell
Associate director, MIT Leadership Center
areas of expertise: middle east peace talks, political science
Krusell worked in the Palestinian Territories from 2005 to 2006. A primary focus of his work was public opinion research, working closely with a local pollster, Nader Said, then affiliated with Birzeit University in Ramallah. Much of this centered on the January 2005 legislative election (the Hamas victory) and also included the peace process and 2006 war with Hezbollah. During that time, he briefed Administrative, Congressional and EU officials on polling results and cowrote an article on opinion research with Said.
Krusell maintains contact with the Palestinian pollster and can also share insights into attitudes toward current talks and possible scenarios for achieving a two-state solution. In a broader context, he would be comfortable discussing the political situation in the Palestinian Territories, including the split in power between the West Bank and Gaza and the role of political parties, elections and civil society. Having worked on a daily basis in Ramallah and travelling to Gaza, he can speak firsthand as to the conditions and challenges facing the Palestinians. Likewise, having lived in Jerusalem, he is aware of the security concerns of the Israelis.
request an interview: Sarah McDonnell | 617-253-8923 | s_mcd@mit.edu