Barry Rubin has published a minor masterpiece of sarcasm today at Front Page Magazine, entitled, "Become an Instant Middle East Expert!" He eviscerates the agenda-driven folk who, lacking other opportunities, jumped on the opportunity to refashion themselves into "experts." A couple of examples: John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. Sure they were tenured professors but they hadn't produced anything of note in years. Then they had an idea: write a paper attacking the power of the Jewish lobby. Years of study? Intensive research? Nah. A few hours by a grad student on the internet. Result: Fame, a huge book contract, invitations to speak, largely respectful media coverage! Within months. [....]Or how about Mary Habeck? A military historian, lost her job at Yale. Hey, why is everyone else having all the fun! I'll be an expert on the Middle East and on Islam too! So she loaded up the truck and took a brief trip to Iraq. Next thing you know she's got a book, testifies...(Read Full Post)