Feisal Amin Rasoul al-Istrabadi

Feisal Amin Rasoul al-Istrabadi is the Michael A. and Laurie Burns McRobbie Professor in Global Strategic Studies at Indiana University's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. He serves as Founding Director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East and holds affiliate appointments as Professor of Law at the IU Maurer School of Law and Professor by Courtesy at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. His distinguished career bridges academia, diplomacy, and legal practice, with significant contributions to Middle Eastern studies and constitutional law.

Dr. al-Istrabadi earned his B.A. in Chemistry from Indiana University (1986), followed by a J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law (1988). He later completed an LL.M. (2005) and S.J.D. (2009) at Northwestern University, demonstrating his deep commitment to legal scholarship and practice.

His research centers on the complex interplay between law, politics, and policy in the Middle East, with particular focus on Iraq, the Persian Gulf region, Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan. He is internationally recognized as a leading expert on the Iraqi Constitution and the post-2003 period, having served as principal legal drafter of the Iraqi interim constitution of 2004. His scholarly work examines democratization challenges, constitutional development, post-conflict justice mechanisms, state-building processes, identity politics, and the rule of law in transitional societies.

Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent scholarly engagement with critical issues in Middle Eastern governance. Recent works examine Kurdish political movements, the aftermath of ISIS, and ongoing challenges to Iraqi state-building. His scholarship uniquely combines theoretical insights with practical diplomatic experience, creating valuable bridges between academic analysis and real-world policy challenges. The interdisciplinary nature of his work spans legal theory, political science, international relations, and security studies.

Dr. al-Istrabadi's scholarly contributions have been recognized through significant honors:

• Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Member of the Council on Foreign Relations

His diplomatic service as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iraq to the United Nations (2004) and subsequent service in the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs (2010-2012) provide him with unique practical experience that informs his academic work. He is frequently cited in major media outlets including The New York Times and has appeared numerous times on PBS NewsHour, demonstrating his role as a public intellectual engaged with contemporary policy debates.

As Founding Director of the Center for the Study of the Middle East, he leads an interdisciplinary academic team focused on research, teaching, and public engagement related to Middle Eastern politics, history, and culture. The center serves as a vital hub for scholarly exchange and policy-relevant research on one of the world's most strategically important regions.