The New Anbar Awakening, 2009-2011

Presented by Michael Albin

Mike Albin is the son of George “Frank” Albin and Helen (Souhrada) Albin; Grandson of Frank C. Souhrada

Mike Albin shares his observations on the Anbar Province of Iraq.  In this video, he discusses the security, culture and developing democracy in the presentation "The New Anbar Awakening, 2009-2011".

Mike Albin knows Iraq well.  He spent three years in the 1960's as part of the Ford Foundation's effort to boost English teaching skills in Iraq schools.  He also taught at the prestigious Baghdad College alma mater to many Iraqi leaders.  In 1990 he returned as a Fulbright researcher studying the history of printing in Iraq.  In 2003 following the toppling of Saddam's Ba'ath Regime he was on a team to survey damage to the Iraq National Library and Archives and to recommend steps to restore its buildings and collections.  In 2008, he joined the U.S. Army's Human Terrain System and was part of the effort to incorporate social science research and specialized knowledge of the Iraq into army decision making.  Upon his return he designed and taught the Iraq Area Studies Course at the Human Terrain Headquarters in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  He rejoined the army's program as social scientist serving in Iraq from July 2010 until May 2011.  His observations on the Anbar security, culture and developing democracy are the subject of his talk "The New Anbar Awakening, 2009-2011".

Mike Albin retired from the Library of Congress after 27 years of service during which he held a number of positions including 11 years as Director of the Library Field Office in Cairo Egypt.  Mike spent most of his career in acquisitions for the library but he also served in the Asian Division and was Acting Director for Acquisitions and Overseas Operations.