Brent E. Sasley

Brent E. Sasley is an Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Texas at Arlington. He specializes in the politics of the Middle East, Israeli politics, identity formation, and foreign policy decision-making, with a particular interest in the role of emotions, language, and images in shaping policy.

• Institution: University of Texas at Arlington
• School: College of Liberal Arts
• Department: Department of Political Science
• Position: Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor
• Email: bsasley@uta.edu

His research focuses on International Relations theory, emotional attachments in foreign policy, identity politics, diaspora influence, and Middle Eastern security. He has published widely on Turkish foreign policy, Israeli decision-making, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. His current research projects explore trauma and conflict resolution, emotional dynamics in international relations, and the role of Jewish scholars in public discourse.

The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent engagement with interdisciplinary themes, blending political psychology, IR theory, memory studies, and comparative politics. His work frequently examines how identity, emotion, and narrative shape foreign policy behavior in the Middle East, particularly in Israel and Turkey. There is a strong emphasis on public engagement, as seen in his numerous op-eds and academic blogging.

Brent Sasley has received research grants from the University of Texas at Arlington and the International Council for Canadian Studies. He actively participates in academic conferences such as the International Studies Association and the Association for Israel Studies, and serves as a reviewer for numerous political science and international relations journals.

He advises graduate students and teaches a range of courses including Introduction to Middle East Politics, The Politics and Foreign Policy of Israel, International Relations of the Middle East, and graduate seminars on identity and conflict. He is also known for his public scholarship, contributing to outlets like Foreign Affairs, Washington Post, Haaretz, and The Atlantic.