Scott Lucas is professor of American studies at the University of Birmingham and has previously been visiting professor at the Clinton Institute for American Studies at University College Dublin and adjunct professor at the Institute for North American and European Studies at the University of Tehran. His research interests now also cover current international affairs-especially North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran, new media, and intelligence services. Professor Lucas has written and edited nine books and has published more than 30 major articles. He is the editor of the Journal of American Studies and a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for American Studies and Research at American University Beirut. In addition he is the founder and editor of EA WorldView, one of the leading news and analysis sites on US foreign policy and international affairs, especially in the Middle East and Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Professor Lucas is a frequent contributor to American, British, and international media.