ASU Professor Named Distinguished Fellow at Hebrew University of Jerusalem

SAN ANGELO, TX - Dr. Bruce E. Bechtol Jr. of the Angelo State University security studies faculty has been appointed a Distinguished Fellow in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the top-ranked university in Israel and No. 88 in the 2025 Shanghai World University Rankings.

An ASU faculty member since 2010, Bechtol directs the online Master of Science (M.S.) in global security studies degree program, which is regularly ranked among the top 10 nationally by various online college guides. He is an internationally known expert on North Korean military and political issues, and he has spent considerable time in Israel while conducting research to keep his ASU program up to date and for his numerous publications, most notably his two most recent books:

• "Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership between Iran and North Korea" (2025)

• "North Korean Military Proliferation in the Middle East and Africa: Enabling Violence and Instability" (2018)

In the letter notifying Bechtol of his Distinguished Fellow appointment, Dr. Oron Shagrir, rector of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, wrote:

"This invitation reflects your exceptional contributions to and your illustrious career in the field of East Asian and Middle East Studies. We believe that your affiliation with our University will significantly enhance our efforts to maintain an international and dynamic academic environment, especially during these challenging times. We hope that this distinctive appointment will allow you to engage with our community at your convenience and that we will have the privilege to learn from your vast knowledge and experience."

"I am honored and humbled to be selected for a Distinguished Fellow position at such a prestigious institution," Bechtol said. "The knowledge that I will gain with some of the most noteworthy scholars in the world on the Middle East and East Asia will be of great benefit as I use it to both enhance the education of my students at ASU and continue to engage in my research focused on international security."

In addition to eight books on the worldwide challenges and threats posed by North Korea, Bechtol has published numerous book chapters and journal articles, and he has given invited presentations at professional and human rights conferences throughout the U.S., Europe and South Korea. He has also addressed United Nations committees and acted as a foreign policy advisor to U.S. presidential candidates.

"Dr. Bechtol continues to garner worldwide recognition for his teaching, research and service," said Dr. William Taylor, chair of ASU's Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice. "We are most proud of his many notable accomplishments! This latest prestigious accolade is another testament to his excellence in all areas of faculty achievement and reflects the phenomenal quality of the faculty and programs in our department."

Throughout his career, Bechtol has also been sought out as an expert source on North Korean issues by national and international media, including The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Voice of America, Stars and Stripes, NPR, CNN, FOX News, the BBC, Reuters, the Jerusalem Post and many additional outlets throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. His books have also been featured on C-SPAN's "BookTV" program, and he has twice won the ASU President's Award for Faculty Excellence in Research.