MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL - A panel of leading experts on the Middle East will lead a two-day forum next week at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Conflicts in the Middle East, ranging from the 60-year-old standoff between Israelis and Palestinians to the current tensions between the United States and Iran, are at the heart of the most vexing global challenges of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The forum is sponsored by the Mount Rushmore Institute, a year-old organization created, its organizers say, to provide an environment at the national memorial for learning and dialog, and to advance the cause of freedom and the principles of democracy.

The forum is set for Tuesday, Oct. 16, and Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

According to the institute, the forum will be a chance to "interact with a diverse group of scholars, analysts, activists, educators and interested citizens in a nonpartisan effort to address these questions and to better understand America's policy options in the Middle East."

"We picked this topic because it's timely," said Jim Nelson, an attorney and member of the Mount Rushmore Institute Board.

Many of the things that are of concern to most Americans - the war in Iraq, gasoline prices and domestic terrorism - can be traced back to the long-running struggle in the Middle East.

Nelson said organizers tried to ensure all sides of the conflicts are represented as fairly as possible - not an easy task when it comes to the complex and far-reaching issues of the Middle East. "It's as objective as we can get it," Nelson said.

"I don't think anybody believes there's going to be a solution to this problems anytime soon, but … I think it's important that the American people be informed and try and understand what's going on and how the problems started in the first place."

Panelists will include:

n Gen. Eival Gilady (Reserves), a leading Israeli military, security and peace strategist.

n Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt and to Israel, and senior State Department official.

n Ellen Laipson, former vice chairwoman of the National Intelligence Council, and president and chief executive officer of the Henry L. Stimson Center.

n Robert Malley, former senior advisor to President Clinton on the Middle East and risk analyst.

n Lamia Matta, former legal and policy advisor to the Palestinian Authority, focusing on negotiations and Israeli evacuations.

n Mark Rosenblum, Middle East analyst, advocate of Israeli-Palestinian coexistence and director of the Harrington Center.

n Mara Rudman, deputy national security adviser to President Clinton and former chief counsel, House Foreign Affairs Committee.

n Khalil Shikaki, a leading Palestinian survey researcher and Middle East analyst.

n Gilead Sher, former chief of staff of Israel's Prime Minister Barak and Israeli peace negotiator.

n Clayton Swisher, Middle East researcher, analyst and author about the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

n Michael Williams, United Kingdom envoy for the Middle East.

Nelson encourages young people, especially those involved in the Air Force, the National Guard, ROTC and other military programs to attend. The institute is sponsoring a number of scholarships for students and military people.

A large group from the University of South Dakota is expected to attend. The students will be staying at the Xanterra dormitories at Mount Rushmore, Nelson said.

This is the institute's second forum. In May, Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today and the Freedom Forum, was the keynote speaker at a two-day First Amendment forum.

The cost of attending the event ranges from $50 to $150, depending on which sessions you attend. Student discounts are available.

For more information, contact Pam Wright at mrnms@mtrushmore.org or 341-8883. Also, you can visit the institute Web site at www.mountrushmoreinstitute.com.