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February 4, 2005/Shevat 25 5765, Vol. 57, No. 23
Law professor teaches, takes on national security
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
Staff Writer
This past fall, Orde Kittrie was one of six new law professors welcomed into the fold at Arizona State University's College of Law.
In his new teaching post, Kittrie, a Jewish Mexican-American, specializes in homeland security law, law and technology, public international law, international economic and business law, international negotiations, and Middle East law and law reform.
Kittrie comes to the university after 11 years at the U.S. State Department, where he most recently served as director of international anti-crime programs. In that position, he oversaw United States policy and technical assistance programs for promoting the rule of law and combating crime worldwide.
In fact, Kittrie has traveled throughout the world helping bring about the ideals of democracy. One of his most recent trips took him to Iraq to introduce an anti-corruption initiative. Another of his more impressive experiences is his involvement in creating and establishing a nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Russia after the fall of the Soviet state.
Despite his busy schedule, he took time to sit down with Jewish News to discuss some of the issues facing Americans and Arizonans.
On the threat of Iran
The nuclear capabilities of the Iranian regime - and the threat it poses to Israel - have been a hot topic in recent months.
"It's an issue of great concern," Kittrie says. Iran has often threatened to destroy Israel once its nuclear program is complete, he says. But it also poses a threat to the United States.
Though Europe has been participating in negotiations with Iran to stop the nuclear program, Kittrie feels the U.S. government should be more involved in the process.
"My view is the U.S. government should do a better job engaging in those negotiations to see if a deal is possible," he says. If it's impossible to reach an agreement with the Iranians, military action should be considered.
On homeland security
"I'm very concerned," Kittrie says. "We're still vulnerable."
According to Kittrie, the inspector general of homeland security recently did a study in which undercover agents attempted to smuggle weapons through airports across the nation. At 15 airports, the agents succeeded.
Kittrie also points to the fact that there are hours and hours of audiotapes, suspected to come from Al-Qaida. But because there are not enough Arabic translators available, the tapes are falling by the wayside.
However, Kittrie does say security has improved - it just needs to get better.
And it's still too easy to smuggle contraband across borders, he says. While border security is also improving, it, too, needs to get better.
On the Patriot Act
Certain aspects of the Patriot Act expire after next year, Kittrie explained. But the Bush Administration is looking to extend that date.
"My sense is that some of (the aspects) go too far," he says. He feels that the debate regarding the legislation is "a good opportunity to rethink what we're doing in a number of areas.
"There's a real concern that our civil liberties have been eroded in the wake of Sept. 11," he says. "The question is, what is the right balance?"
On the Arab-Israeli crisis
"I'm optimistic," he says about the possibility of peace. "There are some signs that Mahmoud Abbas is much more open to a fair peace agreement.
"Overall, the Arab world has not been developed politically and economically," he explains. "This administration has made it a priority to bring democracy (there)."
And he believes reform in Palestine, as well as other areas throughout the Arab community, is possible.
"There are a lot of moderates in the Muslim world that want that to happen," he says, adding that freedom has spread across the globe in recent decades. "For whatever reason, the anti-democratic forces in the Muslim world have had the upper hand. But we've seen the tide shift.
"I'm hopeful, and I think it will be good for the U.S. and Israel, as well as the Arab world."
On Proposition 200
On this issue, Kittrie was quick to the point.
"It was silly," he says. "It doesn't accomplish anything."
On the Latino community
As a Mexican-American, Kittrie tries to involve himself in the Latino community wherever he can.
"It's fun to come to a community where the Latino community plays such an active and vital role," he says.
While in Washington, D.C., Kittrie was a member of the Hispanic Bar Association. While in law school at the University of Michigan, he was the secretary of the Latino Law Students Association. Now, he is the faculty adviser to that group at ASU.
On teaching
So far, Kittrie has enjoyed teaching and the fact that he is able to bring an insider's perspective on how things work - or don't - in the Capitol.
"I not only help the students understand the inner workings of government, but I am also very dedicated to helping bridge the gap between New York and Washington and Phoenix," he says.
On love and marriage
Kittrie got married this past summer in a civil ceremony in Washington, D.C., to Elizabeth. They met walking out of a subway station there.
"After all the JDate and fix-ups, we met walking out of a subway station" he says with a grin.
The university benefited from this union - his wife, Elizabeth, is the associate director of the Biodesign Institute.
Once they moved to the Valley, a religious ceremony - officiated by Rabbi Mark Bisman - was held in the Lakes community in Tempe.
On the Jewish community
"The Jewish community has been very welcoming to us," Kittrie says, especially the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. "We find it to be a very warm and welcoming community."
Contact the writer here
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