EXPERTS ADVISORY

ANN ARBOR—Tensions remain high in Ukraine, and there are still many questions about Russia’s intentions in the region. Experts at the University of Michigan are available to discuss the potentially explosive situation in the region. They include:

Pauline Jones Luong, professor of political science, can talk about Russia’s intentions and Western options, the historical role of Crimea, ethnic diversity and events leading up to the Euromaidan protests. Her research interests include the study of institutional origin, change and impact in a wide variety of settings: newly emergent states with multiple competing subnational identities, states transitioning from planned to market economies, states rich in natural resources and states with predominantly Muslim populations. Contact: (734) 764-5207 or pjluong@umich.edu. Bio: http://bit.ly/1mSxRcb

Melvyn Levitsky is a retired American ambassador and professor of international policy and practice at U-M’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. During his 35-year career as a U.S. diplomat, Levitsky served as officer-in-charge of U.S.-Soviet bilateral relations. He was also a political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Contact: (734) 615-4262 or levitsky@umich.edu. Bio: http://fordschool.umich.edu/faculty/Melvyn_Levitsky

Ekaterina Mishina can discuss Russian legal issues. She is a visiting law professor who graduated from the Moscow State University Law School. Mishina has worked for the Constitutional Court of Russia and has headed the Legal Department of Russian cable company Mostelecom. From 2002-05, she took part in the Law-Making and Club of Regional Journalism projects of the Open Russia Foundation, and from 2007-10 she worked on two big-scale projects for the Information Science for Democracy Foundation. Contact: (734) 763-3809 or emishina@umich.edu. Bio: http://bit.ly/1hJ4QdF

Zvi Gitelman is a political science professor and the Preston R. Tisch professor of Judaic studies. He studies ethnicity and politics, especially in former Communist countries. His most recent book is “Jewish Identities in Postcommunist Russia and Ukraine: An Uncertain Ethnicity.” Contact: (734) 763-4393 or zvigitel@umich.edu. Bio: http://bit.ly/1dXwPSI

Greta Uehling is an anthropologist and lecturer in international studies. She can discuss ethnic groups in Crimea. Uehling is working on a project examining the politics of history in southern Ukraine, focusing on how patriotism and treason are affecting the construction of a tolerant, multi-ethnic society in Crimea. Contact: uehling@umich.edu. Bio: http://bit.ly/1jOyoqT

Anna Grzymala-Busse is a professor of political science and the director of U-M’s Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia, Her principal interests include political parties and political competition, state development and transformation and post-communist politics. She is on leave this semester but may be reachable at abusse@umich.edu. Bio: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~abusse

EDITORS: U-M has a professional studio and uplink capabilities.