“Middle East Dictators: How They Rise, How They Rule, How They Fall” will be discussed by Dr. A. Nazir Atassi, a Louisiana Tech assistant professor of history. Atassi will serve as speaker for the department of history’s Faculty Lecture Series at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 in Wyly Tower Auditorium. The lecture series serves to inform the community about the historical background of current events around the world. In his lecture, Atassi will explore the deep historical roots of dictatorship in the Middle East, accounting for the rise of strong-man rulers, their techniques of domination and control, and the challenges, stresses, and weaknesses that eventually bring them down. Admission to the event is free and the public is invited. A member of the Louisiana Tech faculty since 2007, Atassi holds degrees in mathematics and engineering. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history at the University of California at Santa Barbara.  At Tech, Atassi teaches courses in world history and Middle Eastern history.