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.

NCUSAR Earns Grant from Essam & Dalal Obaid Foundation

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NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S.-ARAB RELATIONS EARNS CONTRIBUTION FROM ESSAM AND DALAL OBAID FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS

Washington, DC, USA & Geneva, Switzerland: The Washington, DC-based National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (National Council) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant from the Essam and Dalal Obaid Foundation (EDOF) in support of the Council’s educational programs, projects, events, activities, and publications. EDOF, based in Geneva, Switzerland, seeks to make a difference in improving lives everywhere by fostering peace and dialogue among people. The unrestricted contribution will further the Council’s work to enhance American awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the Arab countries, the Mideast, and the Islamic world.

EDOF CEO Dr. Nawaf Obaid noted that, “We are delighted to support the educational mission of the National Council. The Council’s multifaceted efforts to promote Arab-U.S. relations are vital to building bridges of friendship, collaboration, and understanding.”

The National Council’s vision is a special relationship between the United States and its Arab partners, friends, and allies that rests on as solid and enduring a foundation as possible. The Council’s means for pursuing its vision encompass but are not limited to programs for Arab-U.S. leadership development, people-to-people exchanges, lectures, publications, an annual policymakers conference, and the participation of American students, faculty, armed forces officers, and other private and public sector foreign affairs practitioners in Arab world study experiences. As a public service, the Council also serves as an information clearinghouse and participant in national, state, and local grassroots outreach to media, public policy research institutes, and select community, civic, educational, business, and professional associations.

Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President and CEO of the National Council, remarked that, “The Council is proud to count EDOF among its supporters. The Foundation’s contribution will help the Council maintain and expand our U.S.-Arab relations leadership development and bridge-building educational efforts.”

About the Essam and Dalal Obaid Foundation: Founded in 2014 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Essam and Dalal Obaid Foundation is a global non-profit organization with a two-fold mission: medical work and social work. In terms of its medical work, the foundation supports medical research and care. In terms of social work, it supports the efforts of state and non-state entities in fostering peace and dialogue among people. More information about EDOF can be found at edof.org.

About the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations: Founded in 1983 and based in Washington, DC, USA, the Council is an American non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world, and to helping place and sustain the relationship on the firmest foundation and most mutually beneficial basis possible. Information about the Council’s programs, projects, events, activities, and publications can be found at ncusar.org.

Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations Spring 2015 “NEWSLINES”

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2015-newslines-200x257The 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 2015 “NEWSLINES” newsletter featuring:

The full issue of CCUSAR’s Spring 2015 NEWSLINES is available for download through the link immediate below.

DOWNLOAD “CCUSAR NEWSLINES (Spring 2015)” (.pdf file)

Dr. Nawaf Obaid Joins NCUSAR as Fellow & International Advisory Committee Member

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NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S.-ARAB RELATIONS WELCOMES DR. NAWAF OBAID AS DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FELLOW AND MEMBER OF ITS INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Obaid Joins Collective of National Council Scholars and Advisors Contributing Analysis as well as Guiding U.S.-Arab Relations Educational Programs

Washington, DC: The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations [ncusar.org], founded in 1983, is pleased to announce that Dr. Nawaf Obaid has been named a Distinguished International Affairs Fellow and also a member of the Council’s International Advisory Committee. While the Council’s International Advisory Committee does not formally govern the organization, its members make suggestions, recommendations, assist with the Council’s development objectives, and provide strategic support to the Council’s board of directors together with its president and chief executive officer.

In announcing the appointments, National Council Founding President and CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Obaid to these two important positions within the Council. His insightful scholarship on Saudi Arabia’s strategic and geopolitical challenges and opportunities is vital to understanding the kingdom’s growing role in regional and world affairs. Dr. Obaid will be a valuable resource and advisor as we work to strengthen and expand the Council’s U.S.-Arab relations leadership development and bridge-building educational efforts.”

On May 22, 2015, Dr. Obaid delivered a presentation titled “Saudi Arabia Ascendant” at a National Council Congressional and public affairs briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The event, held in the Rayburn House Office Building, focused on “Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia: What Implications for the Kingdom, the Region, and the U.S.?” Slides from Dr. Obaid’s presentation are available on the Council’s website: ncusar.org.

Dr. Obaid has been a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs since September 2012. He is also an Associate Instructor for the Harvard Study Group on the Rehabilitation of the Syrian Refugees and for the Winter Field Study Course in the Middle East. Additionally, Dr. Obaid is a Lecturer at the London Academy of Diplomacy at Stirling University and a Senior Fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Further, he serves as the CEO of the Essam and Dalal Obaid Foundation.

From 2004 to 2007, Dr. Obaid was Special Advisor for Strategic Communications to HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, while Prince Turki served as the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United Kingdom & Ireland, and then to the United States. From 2007 to 2011, Dr. Obaid worked with the Saudi Royal Court. Most recently, he served as Special Counselor to Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2011 to 2014.

About the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations: Founded in 1983 and based in Washington, DC, the National Council is an American non-profit, non-governmental, educational organization dedicated to improving American knowledge and understanding of the Arab world. Information about the Council’s program, projects, events, and activities can be found at ncusar.org.

Implications of Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia

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Dr. Nawaf Obaid speaks in the Rayburn House Office Building.

Dr. Nawaf Obaid delivers a presentation titled “Saudi Arabia Ascendant” at a May 22, 2015, NCUSAR briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

On May 22, 2015, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing on “Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia: What Implications for the Kingdom, the Region, and the U.S.?” in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

The featured specialist and presenter was Dr. Nawaf Obaid, Visiting Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University; Lecturer, London Academy of Diplomacy, Stirling University; and Senior Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Dr. Obaid delivered a presentation titled “Saudi Arabia Ascendant.” National Council Founding President & CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony served as moderator and facilitator.

A podcast of the program and Dr. Obaid’s slide presentation are available below. The podcast can also be found in iTunes along with recordings of other National Council programs: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

After a Nuclear Agreement: Whither Arab-Iranian and U.S.-GCC Relations?

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after-agreement-300x200On May 12, 2015, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, the West Asia Council, and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing titled “After a Nuclear Agreement: Whither Arab-Iranian and U.S.-GCC Relations?” in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

Featured specialists included: Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President and CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; Dr. Christian Koch, Director, Gulf Research Center Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland); Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, President, SVB Energy International, and author, The Marketing and Sale of Iranian Export Crude Oil Since the Islamic Revolution; Dr. Thomas Mattair, Executive Director, Middle East Policy Council, and author, The Three Occupied UAE Islands: The Tunbs and Abu Musa and Global Security Watch – Iran: A Reference Handbook; Dr. Alidad Mafinezam, President, West Asia Council, and author, Iran and Its Place Among Nations; and Dr. Imad Harb, Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Mr. John Pratt, Member, Board of Directors, and Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, served as moderator.

A video recording and a podcast of the program are available below. The podcast can also be found in iTunes along with recordings of other National Council programs: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

“After a Nuclear Agreement: Whither Arab-Iranian and U.S.-GCC Relations?” podcast (.mp3)

Upcoming Event: “Implications of Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia” – May 22 in Washington, DC

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On May 22, 2015, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee are hosting a public affairs briefing titled “Leadership Changes in Saudi Arabia: What Implications for the Kingdom, the Region, and the U.S.?”

The featured specialist will be Mr. Nawaf Obaid, Visiting Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University; Lecturer, London Academy of Diplomacy, Stirling University; and Senior Fellow, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. Serving as moderator and facilitator will be Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President and CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; and Member, U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy and Subcommittee on Sanctions.

DATE & TIME:

May 22, 2015
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Coffee & Tea / Networking
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. – Remarks / Q&A

LOCATION:

Rayburn House Office Building
Room B-369
45 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20515

REGISTRATION:

The event is free but R.S.V.P. (acceptances only) online: http://conta.cc/1AZMUTC or via email to rsvp@ncusar.org is required.

Please note: seating capacity is limited. Include the following information when you R.S.V.P.:
Name:
Company:
Title:
Phone:
Email:

If you have any questions you can call the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations at (202) 293-6466.

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Upcoming Event: “Whither Arab-Iranian and U.S.-GCC Relations?” – May 12 in Washington, DC

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On May 12, 2015, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, the West Asia Council, and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee are hosting a public affairs briefing titled “After a Nuclear Agreement: Whither Arab-Iranian and U.S.-GCC Relations?“ Featured specialists include:

  • Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President and CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; Member, U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy and Subcommittee on Sanctions; Author, “Strategic Dynamics of Iran-GCC Relations”;
  • Dr. Christian Koch, Director, Gulf Research Center Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland); former Director of International Studies, Gulf Research Center (Dubai, UAE);
  • Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, President, SVB Energy International; Author, The Marketing and Sale of Iranian Export Crude Oil Since the Islamic Revolution;
  • Dr. Thomas Mattair, Executive Director, Middle East Policy Council; Author,The Three Occupied UAE Islands: The Tunbs and Abu Musa and Global Security Watch – Iran: A Reference Handbook;
  • Dr. Alidad Mafinezam, President, West Asia Council; Author, Iran and Its Place Among Nations; and
  • Dr. Imad Harb, Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations; former Senior Researcher in Strategic Studies, Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Mr. John Pratt, Member, Board of Directors, and Distinguished International Affairs Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and former Chairman, Middle East Council of the American Chambers of Commerce, will serve as moderator.

DATE & TIME:

May 12, 2015
8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Coffee & Tea / Networking
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Remarks / Q&A

LOCATION:

Rayburn House Office Building
Room B-369
45 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20515

REGISTRATION:

The event is free but R.S.V.P. (acceptances only) online: http://conta.cc/1ce4j5x or via email to rsvp@ncusar.org is required.

Please note: seating capacity is limited. Include the following information when you R.S.V.P.:
Name:
Company:
Title:
Phone:
Email:

If you have any questions you can call the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations at (202) 293-6466.

Continue reading »