Reminder: Summer Arabic Language Study Abroad Opportunities

Posted on February 28, 2013 by NCUSAR

REMINDER — application deadlines are approaching for some of the National Council’s Summer 2013 Arabic language study abroad opportunities:

Summer Intensive Language Program at The Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco

The National Council, in collaboration with The Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM) for the summer of 2013, is pleased to announce its Summer Language program in the Kingdom of Morocco. Students will spend six weeks in historic Meknes, Morocco taking part in an intensive Arabic language program. Students at all levels of Arabic proficiency are encouraged to apply. The AALIM center is host to a community of Arabic learners throughout the summer, providing for a fully immersive program. Those selected will also gain direct personal experience in Moroccan culture, history, and society through a variety of day excursions, local outings, workshops and demonstrations.

Learn more: http://ncusar.org/study-abroad/aalim

Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture at Lebanese American University

The Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture (SINARC) is a multi-faceted language and cultural immersion program that welcomes students from all over the world. The SINARC program is hosted each year at the Lebanese American University (Beirut Campus), one of the premier institutions of higher education and research in Lebanon and the region. SINARC offers courses in Arabic language and culture at various levels of proficiency. Cultural activities include weekly lectures on topics related to Arab and Lebanese politics, history, society, and culture. In addition, students partake in a series of excursions to historical, cultural and tourist sites.

Learn more: http://ncusar.org/study-abroad/lau

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Gulf in the News – February 27, 2013

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Talks under way to set up “Arab Court for Human Rights”

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Nabil El Araby, Secretary-General of the Arab League, discussed in Manama last night, the King’s initiative on establishing “Arab Court for Human Rights”. King Hamad praised the Arab League’s interest to adopt the initiative that seeks to support human rights, and dignity, affirming the importance of polishing Arab people’s skills and capabilities that are the main pillar for Arab countries’ comprehensive development.

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NCUSAR Delegation Visits Oman, February 2013

Posted on February 26, 2013 by NCUSAR

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations delegation, led by Dr. John Duke Anthony, meets with Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Oman’s Majlis Ash’shura. Photo: Oman Daily Observer.

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ Seventeenth Annual Oman Cultural Immersion Program is close to completion, having provided a delegation of Malone Fellows with an unparalleled diverse exposure to Oman — one of the most historically and culturally rich of all Arab and Islamic societies. More materials from the study visit will be forthcoming but below is a collection of articles highlighting some of the meetings that National Council Founding President & CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony was able to take part in during the delegation’s time in Oman.

Arab-US ties reviewed – Oman Daily Observer, February, 19 2013
Co-operation reviewed with US – Oman Daily Observer, February, 20 2013
Oman, US to enhance education ties – Oman Daily Observer, February, 24 2013
الكلباني والسنيدي والريامي يستقبلون رئيس المجلس الوطني للعلاقات العربية الأمريكية – Oman Daily Observer, February, 25 2013
US official visits Majlis Addawla – Oman Daily Observer, February, 25 2013

Gulf in the News – February 25, 2013

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Saudi government may drop plans for gender barrier in Shura Council

Source: The National (Read full story)

Saudi officials may consider dropping plans for a barrier separating men and the newly appointed women in the country’s top advisory body. News reports follow the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday for the first women in the ultraconservative kingdom’s Shura Council. There was no barrier during the event as the 30 women sat on one side of the chamber and the 130 men on the other.

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Gulf in the News – February 22, 2013

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Atomic Kingdom: If Iran Builds the Bomb, Will Saudi Arabia Be Next?

Source: Center for New American Security (Read full story)

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We argue that the prospects of Saudi “reactive proliferation” are lower than the conventional wisdom suggests but that this should not reduce Washington’s commitment to preventing the emergence of a nuclear-armed Iran. It is widely assumed that Saudi Arabia would respond to Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons by embarking on a crash program to develop their own bomb or by illicitly receiving nuclear weapons from its close ally Pakistan. If these options were not available, most analysts believe that the Saudis would be successful in securing a nuclear umbrella from Islamabad, including the possible deployment of Pakistani nuclear weapons on Saudi soil.

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Dr. John Duke Anthony Serves as Dean’s Visiting Chair at Virginia Military Institute

Posted on February 21, 2013 by John Duke Anthony

During the Fall 2012 semester National Council Founding President & CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony served as Dean’s Visiting Chair in International Studies and Political Science at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia, where he taught Institute’s first-ever course on “Politics of the Arabian Peninsula.” Dr. Anthony is a 1962 graduate of VMI where he was elected president of his class all four years in addition to serving as president of the Corps of Cadets’ General and Executive Committees during his First Class Year.

Gulf in the News – February 20, 2013

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Secretary of State Kerry Set for Saudi Arabia Visit

Source: SUSRIS (Read full story)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will embark on his first trip abroad as America’s top diplomat on a wide-ranging itinerary to Europe and the Middle East for 11 days starting Sunday, February 23rd. The trip will include a visit to Saudi Arabia where he will have discussions with Saudi leaders and meet with GCC foreign ministers. Kerry was sworn in as the 68th Secretary of State following the departure of Hillary Clinton who completed four years in the post. He resigned his seat in the U.S. Senate, where he served 28 years, and as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to accept the appointment by President Barack Obama.

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Gulf in the News – February 19, 2013

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Dh4.9b defence deals signed at IDEX2013

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

Nineteen defense contracts worth AED 4.9 billion were signed by the UAE Armed Forces with international and national contractors, Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the organizing committee for the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX2013) announced on Tuesday at the show’s daily press briefing. The largest of the contracts announced today is worth AED1.9 billion and sealed with the Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Centre (AMMROC) which will provide aircraft management, maintenance and repair services to the Armed Forces, according to Al-Ketbi.

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