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.

The Future of Women’s Rights, Minority Rights, and Freedom of Expression in Tunisia

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On March 5, 2013, The Maghreb Center hosted a conference in Washington, DC, co-sponsored by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and The International Council for Middle East Studies, on “Constitutionalism and Human Rights in Tunisia: The Islamist-Led Democratic Transition Post-Arab Spring.” The afternoon session of the conference focused on “The Future of Women’s Rights, Minority Rights, and Freedom of Expression in Tunisia,” and featured presentations by: Mr. Eric Goldstein, Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch; Ms. Naziha Réjiba, Journalist, Human rights activist, and 2009 Recipient of the International Press Freedom Award of the Committee to Protect Journalists; and Dr. Nancy Okail, Program Director, The Freedom House, Washington DC. Dr. Nejib Ayachi, President of The Maghreb Center, served as Moderator.

Links to a podcast and video recording of the program are available below. The podcast, along with recordings of other National Council programs, is also available through iTunes: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

“The Future of Women’s Rights, Minority Rights, and Freedom of Expression in Tunisia” podcast (.mp3) “The Future of Women’s Rights, Minority Rights, and Freedom of Expression in Tunisia” podcast (.mp3)

Council Chronicle Vol. 6, No. 4 (Fall 2012) Now Available

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The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to provide the nineteenth edition of the Council Chronicle, the Council’s newsletter. The Chronicle seeks to keep the Council’s supporters informed and updated by presenting news and special reports on the Council’s year-round educational programs, events, and activities. For new readers interested in learning more about the Council’s vision and mission, together with the ways and means it utilizes to pursue both, please visit the Council’s website at ncusar.org.

ACCESS Council Chronicle Vol. 6, No. 4 (Fall 2012) (.pdf – 3.2 MB)

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NCUSAR Malone Fellows Visit Oman, February 2013

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The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ Seventeenth Annual Oman Cultural Immersion Program took place February 15-27, 2013. The study visit 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.

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Rhetoric and Reality in Arab-U.S. Energy Relations

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On April 11, 2013, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee hosted a public affairs briefing on “Rhetoric and Reality in Arab-U.S. Energy Relations” at the offices of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in Washington, DC. Participating specialists were Mr. John Hofmeister, Founder and Chief Executive of Citizens for Affordable Energy and former President of Shell Oil Company; Professor Paul Sullivan, Professor of Economics at National Defense University and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University; and Ms. Randa Fahmy Hudome, President of Fahmy Hudome International and former Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy.

A link to a podcast of the program is available below. The podcast, along with recordings of other National Council programs, is also available through iTunes: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

“Rhetoric and Reality in Arab-U.S. Energy Relations” podcast (.mp3)

NCUSAR’s 2012 Washington, DC Summer Internship Program Recap

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National Council Internship Program participants visited the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia to receive a briefing from Mr. Nail Al-Jubeir, Director of the Embassy’s Information Office.

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ Model Arab League/Arab-U.S. Relations Youth Leadership Development Program has been linked for many years to the Council’s Annual University Student Washington, DC Summer Internship Program. The Summer Intern Program’s participants are alumni of the Models and other rising young American and Arab leaders of tomorrow. U.S. Ambassador (Ret.) Edward Gnehm made it possible for the 2012 program to be administered again in association with The George Washington University’s (GWU) Institute for Middle East Studies in the Elliott School of International Affairs. Ambassador Gnehm is a member of the GWU faculty where he is the Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs. As in previous years, the 2012 Internship Program provided fertile training ground and an invaluable firsthand professional work experience for young American leaders interested in a career devoted to improving U.S.-Arab relations.

The program, which lasted from May 29 – August 3, provided 25 students an opportunity to work in the nation’s capital at 18 organizations involved in one way or another in efforts to improve Arab-U.S. relations. The experience is one that could not possibly be duplicated or paralleled by the students’ university studies on campus. In addition to their time assisting with the office routines of their host organizations, the interns met and were briefed as well as mentored several times a week by some of America’s most renowned specialists in international relations as they pertain to the Arab world.

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Council Chronicle Vol. 6, No. 3 (Summer-Fall 2012) Now Available

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The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to provide the eighteenth edition of the Council Chronicle, the Council’s newsletter. The Chronicle seeks to keep the Council’s supporters informed and updated by presenting news and special reports on the Council’s year-round educational programs, events, and activities. For new readers interested in learning more about the Council’s vision and mission, together with the ways and means it utilizes to pursue both, please visit the Council’s website at ncusar.org.

ACCESS Council Chronicle Vol. 6, No. 3 (Summer-Fall 2012) (.pdf – 1.7 MB)

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Model Arab League Update – March 2013

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Student delegates cast a vote during the summit session at the Rocky Mountain Model Arab League.

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ Model Arab League program saw the successful completion of two Models during March. University conferences were held in Spartanburg, South Carolina (March 15-17) and Salt Lake City, Utah (March 21-23). Below are a collection of stories detailing some schools’ experience at recent Models.

Additional Model Arab League conferences will continue to be held across the United States in April with five university conferences and two high school conferences on deck. Students and schools wishing to participate in the Model Arab League program this year or in future school years should contact the National Council’s Director of Student Programs Megan Geissler or Deputy Director of Student Programs Josh Hilbrand to learn how to get involved.

Gulf in the News – March 27, 2013

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Arab summit issues Doha Declaration

Source: The Gulf Today (Read full story)

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It also strongly condemned the Syrian regime’s use of heavy weapons, warplanes and Scud missiles to bomb the crowded residential areas. The declaration welcomed the takeover by the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces to Syria’s seat in the Arab League, its organisations, councils and organs. It emphasised the importance of efforts being taken in order to reach a political solution as a priority for the Syrian crisis, while stressing on the right of each member state, in accordance with its wish, to provide all means of self-defence, including military support to back the steadfastness of the Syrian people and the free army. The declaration also lauded the initiative of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah to host an International Donors’ Conference for the Syrian people that was held on Jan.30, 2013.

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