DR. ROBERT G. WIRSING is a professor in the College of Security Studies. He came to the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies from the University of South Carolina where he was Professor of International Studies and a member of the Department of Government and International Studies since 1971. His primary research interests focus on the contemporary politics, international relations, and defense and security issues of South Asia. He holds a Ph.D. in International Studies from the Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver. Dr. Wirsing has made nearly forty research visits to South Asia since 1965. Dr. Wirsing is the author, editor, or co-editor of eight books, most recently (author) Kashmir in the Shadow of War (M.E. Sharpe, 2003) and (co-editor) Religious Radicalism and Security in South Asia (APCSS, 2004).

DR. ROUBEN M. AZIZIAN came to the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in January 2002 from the Department of Political Studies at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Azizian has edited four books and published numerous book chapters, journal articles and working papers on foreign policy and security of Russia, Central Asia, South Asia, Northeast Asia as well as New Zealand. His major publications include: Nuclear Developments in South Asia and the Future of
Global Arms Control (CSS, Wellington, 2001); Russia in Asia: An Unwelcome Intruder or Accommodating Player? (CSS, Wellington, 2000); Strategic and Economic Dynamics of Northeast Asia (CSS, Wellington, 1999); Ethnic Challenges Beyond Borders: the Chinese and Russian Perspectives on Central Asia (with Yongjin Zhang, Macmillan, London, 1998). Prior to becoming a full-time academic, Dr. Azizian had an extensive career in the Soviet and later Russian Foreign Service, which included assignments in Nepal (1972-1978) as Attaché and then Third Secretary; Sri Lanka (1980-1985) as Second and then First Secretary; and New Zealand (1991-1994) as Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission.