Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations Spring 2013 “NEWSLINES”

Posted on June 18, 2013 by NCUSAR

The Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations (CCUSAR), with Dr. Joe P. Dunn serving as Director, is an initiative of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Dr. Dunn is an alumni of the Malone Fellowship in Arab and Islamic Studies Program, the coordinator of the Southeast Model Arab League, and the faculty advisor heading the Converse College Model Arab League program. CCUSAR recently published its Spring 2013 “NEWSLINES” newsletter featuring:

Dr. Dunn’s reflections on a recent visit to Iraqi Kurdistan;
a Converse College student’s reflections on a National Council Model Arab League study visit to Saudi Arabia;
highlights from the 2013 Southeast and National Model Arab Leagues;
a story about Converse College hosting a delegation of Jordanian students; and
a book review of The Arab Spring: Change and Resistance in the Middle East, edited by Mark L. Haas and David W. Lesch.

The full issue of CCUSAR’s Spring 2013 NEWSLINES is available for download through the link immediate below.

DOWNLOAD “CCUSAR NEWSLINES (Spring 2013)” (.pdf file)

Gulf in the News – June 17, 2013

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

GCC to continue heavy investments in infrastructure

Source: Al Arabiya (Read full story)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will continue to invest heavily in infrastructure and diversify their economies, thus boosting non-oil GDP growth, Qatar National Bank (QNB) said in a report. The study also noted that the MENA region is expected to grow between 3.5 percent and 4 percent this year and 4.5 percent to 5 percent in 2014, notwithstanding significant headwinds from the global economy and domestic political uncertainty in a number of countries in the region.

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Gulf in the News – June 14, 2013

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Mariam Klait

Bahrain dismantles pro-Iran group

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Bahrain announced yesterday the arrest of leading members of the radical opposition February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition, an influential clandestine cyber-group accused of links to Iran. “After an extensive investigation, several members of the February 14 terrorist organization were identified … (and) the main actors who took part in criminal acts have been arrested,” the Interior Ministry said. The group has been the main motor behind disturbances that began in 2011. The ministry said the group’s spiritual leader is Hadi Al-Mudaressi, a leading cleric living in the Iraqi city of Karbala, and said he “provided divisive sectarian support to the organization.”

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August Arabic Language Program in Oman – Application Deadline June 21

Posted on June 13, 2013 by NCUSAR

August Intensive Arabic Language Program at the

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to present information about a special August Arabic Program at the Center for International Learning (CIL) in Muscat, Oman.

About the August Arabic Program:

CIL is offering a 3-week Arabic program from August 18 – September 5, 2013. Instruction is offered at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, and includes Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) grammar, media literacy, skills (reading, writing, listening), conversation (MSA and Omani dialect), and utilizes peer facilitators (Omani language partners). The program includes 6 hours of classes 5 days a week, with class sizes typically between 5 and 8 students.

August Arabic Program Cost:

Tuition only – $2,455

In-country package (includes: tuition, shared modern hotel suite or flat, half board (i.e., weekday continental breakfast and lunch), and weekday ground transportation) – $2,900

Application Form:

Applications are available through the link below or can be obtained by emailing Megan Geissler at Megan@ncusar.org.

http://ncusar.org/programs/NCUSAR-CIL-2013-August-Application.pdf

Students should email completed applications to Arabic_August@omancenter.org along with a copy of the photo page of their passport. Applications are due June 21, 2013.

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Gulf in the News – Wednesday June 12, 2013

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Mariam Klait

Hezbollah supporters to be thrown out of GCC countries

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah who are residing in Gulf Cooperation Council states will pay the price for the Shiite movement’s military role in Syria against freedom fighters. A GCC statement, citing a ministerial council decision, said the measures will affect Hezbollah members’ “residency permits, and financial and commercial transactions.” The statement urged the Lebanese government to “assume its responsibilities toward the behavior of Hezbollah and its illegal and inhumane practices in Syria and the region.”

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Crisis Syria: Going Where?

Posted on June 11, 2013 by NCUSAR

June 7, 2013 briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC on “Crisis Syria: Going Where?”

On June 7, 2013, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a briefing on “Crisis Syria: Going Where?” featuring Ms. Mona Yacoubian, Senior Advisor, Middle East and Project Director, Pathways to Progress, Stimson Center; Mr. Ian Pannell, Correspondent, BBC News; Professor David Des Roches, Senior Military Fellow, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University; Ms. Sharon Waxman, Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy, International Rescue Committee; and Professor Paul Sullivan, Professor of Economics, National Defense University and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University. Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President & CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, served as moderator.

The program was broadcast on C-SPAN and is available to watch in the C-SPAN Video Library. A podcast of the program is available through the link below as well as in iTunes with recordings of other National Council programs: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

Watch “Crisis Syria: Going Where?” in the C-SPAN Video Library

Crisis Syria: Going Where? podcast (.mp3) “Crisis Syria: Going Where?” podcast (.mp3)

Gulf in the News – June 10, 2013

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Mariam Klait

Qatar’s emir poised to cede power to son

Source: Al Bawaba (Read full story)

Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, 33, is set to be Qatar’s next emir, Al Bawaba Arabic reported. Hamad is the son of current emir Khalifa Al Thani. Previous news reports have stated that the father and current incumbent Al Thani, 61, has been suffering from health problems for some time. Meanwhile, Hamad’s cousin, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem, is expected to step down as prime minister. Jasem, however, will stay on with the Qatar Investment Authority, which manages wealth that recycles gas revenues. He will also continue his role with UK’s retail darling, Harrods. According to the Daily Telegraph, the United States and Iran were briefed on the succession earlier this year.

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Gulf in the News – June 7, 2013

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

GCC says Lebanon unsafe for travel; KSA seeks end to fighting

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Gulf Arab states have advised citizens not to travel to Lebanon, a popular summer tourist destination that is becoming increasingly engulfed in neighboring Syria’s civil war, the Saudi Press Agency reported. “Most GCC states have urged their nationals to avoid traveling to Lebanon due to the instability of the security situation there,” Gulf Cooperation Council’s chief Andullatif Al-Zayani was quoted as saying late on Wednesday. Lebanon is “unsafe” for citizens of the GCC, made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Zayani said.

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