Michael Cairo

Michael Cairo is a Professor of Political Science at Transylvania University and currently serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. His academic work focuses on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East relations, and international politics. Cairo holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Virginia (1999), an M.A. (1994), and a B.A. from SUNY Geneseo (1992).

His research explores U.S. foreign policy dynamics, particularly regarding the Middle East, with notable publications including The Gulf: The Bush Presidencies and the Middle East (2012) and American Presidents and Israeli Settlements since 1967 (2023). Cairo critiques contemporary U.S. neutrality in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and frequently analyzes regional instability in Syria, Iraq, and Israel on platforms like Global Connections TV.

• Teaching Focus: Politics of the Middle East, European/Russian Politics, International Law, and Human Rights
• Awards: 2020-2025 Bingham Teaching Award, 2015 Gerald R. Ford Grant, 2016 Aspen Institute Fellowship

Cairo's work integrates liberal arts education with global citizenship, emphasizing critical analysis of political systems. He has advised over a dozen student research projects on topics like U.S.-Iran relations and international human rights frameworks.

Active in professional organizations, he serves the International Studies Association and the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. His recent media engagements include analyses of Middle East conflicts on KET’s Kentucky Tonight and WEKU-FM’s Eastern Standard.