Daniel Pipes, one of the world’s leading experts on the Middle East and militant Islam, will be the guest speaker at the 2010 State of Israel Bonds Dinner to be held at 6:30 pm Saturday, Dec. 4 at Traditional Congregation, 12437 Ladue Road in Creve Coeur.

Pipes is the founder and director of the Middle East Forum, and a columnist for The New York Sun, the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, the Jerusalem Post and The Globe and Mail in Canada. The Wall Street Journal has called him “an authoritative commentator on the Middle East” while MSNBC describes him as one of the best known Middle East luminaries.

His articles have appeared in numerous publications including the Atlantic Monthly, Commentary, Foreign Affairs, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Washington Post. He also appeared on many major television news programs.

Pipes earned a Ph.D. in history at Harvard and is the author of 11 books, four of which deal with Islam. His most recent book is “Miniatures: Views of Islamic and Middle Eastern Policies.”

The dinner will also honor Traditional Congregation’s Torah readers. Tickets are $45; dietary laws will be observed. For more information contact Marian Gordon at Traditional Congregation at 314-576-5230. The Israel Bonds office can be contacted at 800-969-3987.