Author Archives: NCUSAR
Founded in 1983, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) is a non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the Arab world.
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s Upcoming Visit to America: Implications and Opportunities for the US-Saudi Arabian Relationship
On March 15, 2018, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing exploring “Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s Upcoming Visit to America: Implications and Opportunities for the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Relationship” in Washington, DC.
Mr. Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President for Middle East and Turkey Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discusses U.S.-Saudi Arabia trade and investment relations at NCUSAR’s March 15, 2018 public affairs briefing.
The featured specialists were:
- Mr. Nawaf Al Thari, Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and Political Adviser and Counter-Terrorism & Counter-Piracy Focal Point, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Permanent Mission to the United Nations;
- Mr. Fahad Nazer, International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and Consultant, Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC;
- Mr. David Des Roches, Senior International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and Associate Professor, Near East/South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University, U.S. Department of Defense;
- Mr. Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President for Middle East and Turkey Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce;
- Mr. Mike Ryan, Strategic Markets Advisor, U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council; and
- Colonel Abbas K. Dahouk, Former U.S. Defense and Army Attaché in Saudi Arabia (2013-2017).
Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President and CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, served as context provider and moderator.
A podcast recording of the program is available below.
NCUSAR’s Summer 2018 Washington, DC Internship Program – Applications Due February 23
Washington, DC Summer Internship Program
May 29 – August 3, 2018
The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ Washington, DC Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students a ten-week professional, academic, and career opportunity internship in the nation’s capital. The program features a demanding mix of professional involvement, intellectual challenge, career exploration, and cultural encounters designed to provide interns with a rich and varied experience during their time in Washington.
- Professional work experience: Interns are placed with one of over a dozen Near East and Arab world-related organizations in Washington, D.C., where they are expected to work 35-40 hours per week under the direct supervision of their host organizations.
- Academic seminars: Interns take part in twice-weekly seminar sessions designed to provide them with greater depth of knowledge about the Arab world, to underscore the cultural, economic, and political diversity of Arab states, and to explore the intricacies of Arab-U.S. relations. There will be a particular emphasis, though not exclusively, on Arabia and the Gulf.
- Site visits: Interns receive a behind-the-scenes look at many of the central institutions of federal government, national security policymaking, international diplomacy, and international business.
About the Program
The National Council’s Summer Internship Program offers professional work experiences combined with twice-weekly evening seminars that bring academic experts and experienced foreign policy practitioners to meet with the interns in candid off-the-record discussions and dynamic question-and-answer sessions. Its objectives are:
- to provide a realistic Washington, D.C. work experience that will pave the way to career development;
- to offer interns firsthand exposure to the foreign policy analysis and advocacy processes in Washington, D.C.;
- to incorporate a strong academic component focusing on U.S. political, economic, and cultural relations with Arabia and the Gulf region;
- to help participants begin the process of career networking by introducing them to working professionals in government, business, journalism, and NGOs; and,
- to highlight the wide range of career opportunities awaiting those who aspire to work in the field of U.S.-Arab relations, as well as to provide counseling on graduate school and fellowship application processes.
As complements to the program, interns will also be exposed to D.C. in a less formal manner via films, cultural events, embassy and museum visits, off-the-record conversations with former diplomats, group dinners, and suggestions for exploring the sights and sounds of Washington, D.C. This allows students to not only experience working in the city, but also encourages them to appreciate the experience of living in a diverse urban environment, and to take advantage of the exciting cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities available in the nation’s capital.
What’s the Status of President Trump’s Counter-Terrorism Campaign?
On January 11, 2018, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing asking “What’s the Status of President Trump’s Counter-Terrorism Campaign? Arab and U.S. Perspectives” in Washington, DC.
Dr. John Duke Anthony delivers opening remarks at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ January 11, 2018 public affairs briefing asking “What’s the Status of President Trump’s Counter-Terrorism Campaign?”
The featured specialists were Mr. Nawaf Al Thari, Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; and Political Adviser and Counter-Terrorism & Counter-Piracy Focal Point, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Permanent Mission to the United Nations; Mr. Christopher Blanchard, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress; Mr. David Des Roches, Senior International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; and Associate Professor, Near East/South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University, U.S. Department of Defense; and Mr. Fahad Nazer, International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; and Consultant, Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC. Dr. John Duke Anthony served as context provider and moderator.
A podcast recording of the program is available below.
“What’s the Status of President Trump’s Counter-Terrorism Campaign?” podcast (.mp3)
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations President & CEO Aids Eisenhower Memorial
Washington, DC: In March 2017, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chair, and General (Ret.) P.X. Kelly, Co-Chair, announced the appointment of National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations [ncusar.org] Founding President & CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Advisory Committee. In so doing, they emphasized that the appointment “signals our gratitude for your unique insights and support,” adding that “you join as fellow members celebrated patriotic leaders Senator Bob Dole, Tom Brokaw, Tom Hanks, and Secretary James Baker.” Dr. Anthony assisted the Memorial Commission for several years in its efforts to obtain public and private sector funding for the Memorial’s construction. His and others’ efforts reached an important milestone on November 2, 2017, when the Memorial’s groundbreaking ceremony took place in the center of the nation’s capital.
The Eisenhower Memorial is designed to commemorate and honor the life and legacy of the 34th President of the United States. Present and addressing guests for the event, among other distinguished American leaders, were Susan and David Eisenhower, granddaughter and grandson of President Eisenhower, former Secretary of Defense and Senator Chuck Hagel, and Members and former Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives whom Dr. Anthony has escorted on familiarization visits to the Arab countries, the Middle East, and the Islamic world.
Twenty-Second Annual Oman Cultural Immersion Program – February 21-March 7, 2018
Applications Now Being Accepted for the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’
Twenty-Second Annual Oman Cultural Immersion Program
February 21 – March 7, 2018
The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to offer, through its Joseph J. Malone Fellowship in Arab and Islamic Studies Program, the Twenty-Second Annual Oman Cultural Immersion study visit to the Sultanate of Oman, February 23 – March 7, 2018. Fellows are required to participate in and complete a pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C. to be held on February 21-22. This unique opportunity will provide a privileged first hand exposure to one of the Arab world’s most demographically, geographically, and socially diverse countries.
The National Council is currently accepting applications to participate in this study visit. APPLY NOW!
American professionals in academia, government, the military, non-governmental organizations, business, religious institutions, the media, civic associations, as well as the fine arts, humanities, and the social sciences are invited to apply.
The Twenty-Second Annual Oman Cultural Immersion study visit will provide participants an educational experience that few Westerners and even fewer Americans have had. The program is choreographed to provide Malone Fellows an unparalleled diverse exposure to Oman — one of the most historically and culturally rich of all Arab and Islamic societies. Until relatively recent times, the Sultanate languished in its status as one of the most forgotten corners of all Arabia. Anyone in doubt about the extraordinary opportunity that being able to visit Oman in this manner presents need only consult any of the several National Geographic Magazine features on the country in the past two decades.
End Pictures: inlaid Islamic niches at the Grand Mosque in Oman’s Capital Territory; Middle Pictures: Bedouin Omani girls in the Sharqiyyah Sands.
Listen to the 2017 Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference
Complete audio recordings from the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ 26th Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, “Arab-U.S. Relations: How Best to Navigate an Uncertain Present and Future?” are now available from the Council. Listen to and download each session below, or visit the National Council’s podcast feed through iTunes or FeedBurner to access recordings from the conference along with other Council programs.
Remarks by H.E. Dr. Husam Zomlot
With H.E. Dr. Husam Zomlot and Dr. John Duke Anthony.
The Palestinian Future
With Mr. Sean Carroll, Ms. Noura Erakat, Mr. Taleb Salhab, and Dr. Yousef Munayyer.
Egyptian-U.S. Relations: A View from Cairo
With The Right Honourable Mona Makram-Ebeid.
Energy Dynamics of U.S.-Arab Relations
With Dr. Paul Sullivan, Ms. Molly Williamson, Mr. Stephen Gallogly, Mr. Nicolas Loris, and Mr. Nathaniel Kern.
Keynote Address by General Joseph L. Votel
With General Joseph L. Votel.
Challenging Stereotypes: How Understanding Saudi Arabia’s Women Can Help Bridge Cultural Divides
With HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al-Saud.
Humanitarian Challenges in Yemen
On September 18, 2017, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing on “Humanitarian Challenges in Yemen” in Washington, DC.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre, speaks on Capitol Hill on September 18, 2017.
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah (Supervisor General, King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre; Advisor, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Royal Court; and Former Minister of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) was the featured specialist. Dr. John Duke Anthony served as context provider and moderator.
A podcast recording of the program is available below.