Suheir Daoud, a lecturer of politics at Coastal Carolina University, will lead a discussion of "Why Syria Matters?" on Monday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 256 of the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts. The public is welcome.

In addition to an overview of Syria, including its importance in Middle Eastern affairs and the rise of President Bashar al-Assad to power, Daoud will discuss recent developments in the region and possible war scenarios.

Daoud joined the CCU faculty in 2008. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a master's degree in international development and social change from Clark University in Massachusetts and a Ph.D. in political science from Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

From 1996 to 2003, she worked as a political adviser and assistant for a Palestinian Knesset (Parliament) member. Prior to CCU, she served as a visiting scholar at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University, followed by a position as a Mellon Post Doctorate at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., and as a visiting assistant professor at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont.

For more information, contact Karen Williams at kwilliam@coastal.edu or call 843-349-2621.