Feb. 5, 2008 – David Andelman, the executive editor of Forbes.com, spoke about his new book, A Shattered Peace, at an event sponsored by the International Law Society in the Subotnick Center on Jan. 31.

A Shattered Peace (Wiley, John & Sons, Inc.) investigates how many of today’s most critical international issues originated at the Versailles Treaty in 1919. Andelman traces the conflicts in Iraq, Kosovo, and Middle East back to this pivotal conference, suggesting that historical leaders lacked sufficient understanding about the complexities involved in creating a nation.

Andelman read excerpts from his book, discussed the main themes and ideas, and answered questions from the audience. He argued that today there is an opportunity to reverse some of the failures from 1919, and said world leaders must not repeat the mistakes of the past. He focused on Iraq, a nation created at the Versailles Treaty as the Allied leaders “cut up Asia Minor like cake.” All ethnicities were forced together into one country, which resulted in violence and conflict, he said. As an alternative, Andelman proposed a tripartite approach in Iraq, with Sunni, Shi’ite, and Kurd groups each forming a separate nation. This idea reflects his belief that all people deserve self-determination and the right to form their own national boundaries and government.

Andelman is the author of three books and has been a domestic and foreign correspondent for The New York Times. He also served as Paris correspondent for CBS News for seven years, followed by service as a Washington correspondent for CNBC, news editor of Bloomberg News, and business editor of the New York Daily News.

By Rachel Natov