Mark LeVine is among the most prominent scholars and commentators of the new generation of historians and analysts of the modern Middle East and Islam. He has spent over fifteen years living, researching, reporting from and performing in the region, including Iraq, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories. His writings challenge accepted paradigms about hot-button issues such as globalization, terrorism, politics and popular culture. His latest book, An Impossible Peace: Israel/Palestine Since 1989, explores the reasons behind the failure of the Oslo peace process.

As a musician he has recorded, performed and toured all over the world with artists including Mick Jagger, Chuck D, Michael Franti, and Ozomatli.  His 2008 book, Heavy Metal Islam: Rock, Resistance, and the Struggle for the Soul of Islam, offers a unique perspective of the relationships between rock musicians and their peers in the Muslim world.

LeVine received his BA in comparative religion and biblical studies from Hunter College and his MA and Ph.D. from New York University's Department of Middle Eastern Studies.  He teaches at the University of California, Irvine and has had fellowships at numerous research institutions in the United States and abroad. His publications have appeared in leading newspapers and journals around the world and he appears regularly as a guest commentator on issues related to US foreign policy, the Middle East and the larger Muslim world.

For more information please go to the author's website