Interview with Dr. Aaron Walter - teaching in the program International Relations and European Politics

Interviewed by Abhinav Banerjee and Basil Novotny Aziz, April 2024

1. How did you start your academic career and what became your field of focus?

It wasn't until 2006 that I began my academic career, and it started with teaching political science at a university in Slovakia. While I enjoyed teaching at the university level, I came to the realization that I needed to pursue a PhD. This led me to contemplate where I would complete my doctoral studies. Should I return to the United States, my home country, or apply for a program at a Slovak university? Ultimately, because I was living in Trenčín, Slovakia at the time, which is situated in the northwestern part of the country, applying to a program at a university in the Czech Republic seemed like a good option. Of course, I was aware of Charles University in Prague, a prestigious institution. However, my wife, who has a master's degree from the Faculty of Arts at Masaryk University, had told me wonderful things about Brno throughout our dating years. Since Brno was only a two-hour journey away, I decided to look into the PhD programs offered by Masaryk University. The decision-making process was quite swift; having already obtained a master's degree, I knew I wanted to pursue a PhD at Masaryk University. When it came to choosing a field of focus, history had always held a special place in my heart. I've always been a sucker for historical programs, documentaries, and conversations with historians. While history serves as a foundation for both political science, which I also had a background in, and international relations, I ultimately gravitated towards international relations during my program selection process. This decision can perhaps be traced back to my early undergraduate days when I wrote my very first paper on the topic of Israel and its foreign policy. Since I'm from the United States, it felt natural to focus specifically on the US-Israel relationship for my dissertation. This focus on Israel naturally led to my current area of teaching, which falls under the category of Israeli studies, encompassing courses on the region.

2. Why did you become so interested in Israel and what is its relevance today?

As I mentioned when discussing my academic beginnings, my fascination with Israel can be traced all the way back to my undergraduate years, when I was a young man of around 19 or 20 years old. It was during this time that I was enrolled in my very first course on the Middle East. While going through the course material, I stumbled upon a paragraph that sparked my curiosity – a paragraph about the Balfour Declaration. I had never heard of it before, and after reading about it, I knew I had to delve deeper. This newfound curiosity resulted in me writing my very first academic paper for that Middle East course, focusing on British policy during the British Mandate period in the region. The Balfour Declaration, serving as an official statement of British support for the establishment of a Jewish state, was truly a turning point for me. It fueled my interest in Israel, and even though I pursued more professional endeavors after completing my undergraduate studies, that interest in Israel, the Middle East, and US-Israel relations never truly faded. So, when I had the opportunity to revisit this area of interest during my PhD studies, it felt like a natural continuation of my academic journey. These studies allowed me to travel to Israel on multiple occasions, where I had the pleasure of meeting incredible people. They also opened doors for me to connect with faculty members at various universities across Europe and Israel itself. Even the opportunity to interact with Israeli students studying here at the faculty has been enriching.

3. How was your experience as an American studying at Masaryk University?

My experience at Masaryk University was quite unique due to the fact that I was an external student. What this meant was that while I was enrolled in the program, I was also teaching full-time at a university in Slovakia. As an external student, I would travel to Brno for exams and coursework, but I wasn't physically present at the university on a day-to-day basis. Sadly, this limited my ability to participate in many of the student activities that students typically enjoy. On the other hand, I had already experienced a fair amount of student life during my own undergraduate years. However, the fact that I was an external student did not diminish the welcoming atmosphere I encountered at Masaryk University. There was never a moment where I doubted my decision to choose this university, and I never felt unwelcome or ostracized in any way. Even back then, Brno was a rather diverse city, and it remains that way today, with a very welcoming international student population.

4. Can you share an achievement you're proud of or an exciting project you've been involved in?

Certainly! There are two experiences that come to mind. Being selected as a scholar in residence at St. John's College, Oxford in 2017 was an honor that I hold in high regard. This opportunity allowed me to connect with a remarkable organization known as the Institute for the Study of Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP). Through my involvement with ISGAP, I had the privilege of delivering guest lectures and gaining valuable knowledge about contemporary Antisemitism, a highly relevant topic in today's world. I would definitely consider this a significant achievement in my academic career.

Another project that I found particularly exciting was the opportunity to participate in the Jean Monnet Chair program in Migration Studies. While working at my previous university in Slovakia, I applied for a Jean Monnet Module, though my initial application was unsuccessful. However, the university I was working at was eventually awarded the Jean Monnet Chair in Migration Studies, a program that fit perfectly with the popular topic of migration in Europe at that time, around 2016. As you might be aware, these years saw a significant influx of migrants arriving in Europe. For those interested in or with prior experience in EU funding or project proposals, it's no secret that the hottest topics are typically the ones that receive funding. So, with the Jean Monnet Chair in Migration Studies perfectly aligned with current events, it all came together nicely. While the official chairholder was not very hands-on, he entrusted myself and another colleague, who happened to be Czech, with a great deal of control and responsibility for the program. Coordinating this program was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and it provided me with valuable experience in the world of EU funding and project management.

5. What is the most exciting course you teach that you would recommend to students?

That's a question that always makes me smile! It's a bit like asking someone about their favorite movie or a parent about their favorite child – it's hard to choose just one! The truth is, I find all of my courses engaging in their own way. This semester, for example, I have the opportunity to teach two courses that I find particularly interesting: Israeli Foreign Policy and National Security and Grand Strategy. In National Security and Grand Strategy, I delve into the specific perspectives of Israel and the United States on national security issues, exploring their different strategies. In the fall semester, I have the privilege of teaching US Foreign Policy Towards Israel, a course that incorporates much of what I learned during the research for my dissertation. The other fall course I teach is titled The Politics of Decision-Making. This course, which I had the pleasure of creating myself, allows us to explore the thought processes behind the decisions made by various American presidents and Israeli prime ministers. We utilize case studies from the past 30-40 years to delve into these decision-making processes. While I may find all my courses interesting, I believe they all offer something valuable to students. Each course is informative and strives to be relevant to current events in the world of international relations.

6. What makes your courses unique?

I always strive to make my courses relevant by incorporating recent events and case studies. This approach keeps the course material engaging for students and allows them to see the real-world application of the theories we discuss. Many students find traditional coursework that relies solely on outdated examples to be rather dry. By incorporating recent events, I hope to bridge the gap between theory and practice, making the material more interesting and relatable.

7. What is your take on the upcoming US elections and the potential implications?

This is a topic that I recently discussed with a colleague, Dr. Petr Suchý. There is a significant concern, particularly among those of us living in Central Europe, including the former Eastern Bloc countries and the Baltics, about the potential threat that Russia poses not only to Ukraine but also to the rest of the region. There's a genuine concern that if Donald Trump were to be re-elected as US President, US support for Ukraine might not be as consistent as it is currently. A potential decrease in support could encompass various areas, including military aid and financial assistance. It's important to note, however, that even in a scenario where US support weakens, there is a strong likelihood that US allies, such as the Czech Republic and other European countries, would step up their efforts to aid Ukraine. As we have seen with the incredible outpouring of support from the Czech Republic in the form of financial aid and weaponry over the past two years, a sense of solidarity exists among European nations. More recently, Slovakia, despite having a new president whose rhetoric appears less supportive of Ukraine, witnessed a public initiative that generated an overwhelming amount of financial and material support for Ukraine. So, while there is a chance that US support might decrease under a potential Trump presidency, there could still be significant domestic efforts within the US, perhaps from individuals or groups, that would help to fill the gap.

Predicting the outcome of the US election is always a challenge, and scholars are not always accurate in their predictions. Therefore, I would shy away from definitively stating who I believe will win or lose. However, as an American citizen who lives abroad but still votes in US elections, I find it a bit disappointing that the American political system seems to only offer two main options. While there are certainly strong candidates within both the Democratic and Republican parties who could potentially represent the future, it seems that for now, voters are stuck with the same two candidates who faced off four years ago.

8. What message would you like to give to current and prospective students at Masaryk University?

For current students, particularly those in the final stretch of their studies, whether it's choosing a thesis topic or finalizing their thesis, good luck! Reaching this point is a significant accomplishment, and even though you might be feeling tired, remember that the finish line is in sight. Masaryk University has a fantastic faculty and staff who are here to support you and help you reach your goals. In addition to the support offered by faculty and staff, there is also a wonderful alumni network that can be a valuable resource after graduation.

For prospective students, here's what you can look forward to at Masaryk University: a strong foundation provided by a solid base of students, a network of student clubs offering various activities and support, and a faculty dedicated to providing quality education.