Category Archives: NCUSAR

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Conference and Awards Gala Bring Together Top Policymakers

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By Ms. Paige Peterson and Dr. William Lawrence

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Conference and Awards Gala Bring Together Top Policymakers
HRH Prince Turki Bin Faisal, H.E. Mohamed Abou El Enein, Edward Benes, Special Envoy Timothy Lenderking, Paige Peterson, Dr. Abderrahim Foukara, and Judith Miller

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations celebrated its 32nd annual conference and gala awards ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on November 12 and 13, 2024. The event boasted an all-star gathering of policymakers, diplomats, humanitarians, media icons, educators, and future leaders to discuss world affairs in the context of the new U.S. presidential administration.

Among the leaders and dignitaries who contributed were His Royal Highness Prince Turki Bin Faisal of Saudi Arabia, General David Petraeus, World Central Kitchen’s Chef José Andres, KSRelief Founder and Supervisor General His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Ambassador James Jeffrey, His Excellency Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian parliament Mohamed Abou El Enein, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking, His Excellency Samy Gemayel of Lebanon, CEO of Leo A. Daly Edward Benes, Al Jazeera DC Bureau Chief Dr. Abderrahim Foukara of Morocco, National Council President H. Delano Roosevelt, 60 Minutes producer and author Chris Whipple, ABC Chief Correspondent Charles Glass, Pulitzer prize winner Judith Miller, Atlantic columnist Dr. Hussein Ibish, Dr. Jay A. Levy (who co-discovered and named the HIV virus) and Pulitzer, Polk and Peabody Award winner Dr. Laurie Garrett.

The evening of November 12 began with a cocktail reception accompanied by a masterful oud performance by Maestro Muath Edriss and featuring Khaled Al Mawlawi’s Sufi whirling dance performance.


Maestro Muath Edriss welcomes guests in the Ronald Reagan Building atrium


Maestro Muath Edriss on the oud and accompanying musicians serenading guests


Khaled Al Mawlawi performing a Sufi Whirling Meditation


Before the gala awards dinner, Washington DC Bureau Chief of Al Jazeera Dr. Foukara interviews U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking


National Council Founder Dr. John Duke Anthony greets H.E. Dr. Al Rabeeah (foreground) with John Pratt, Fadi Hilani, Cynthia Anthony, and Pat Mancino in a circle (left to right)


Out on the street, President H. Delano Roosevelt greets HRH Prince Turki Bin Faisal (center) with (left to right) Paige Peterson, Dr. Naila Al Sowayel, and H.E. Abou El Enein.


Dear friends Dr. Naila Al Sowayel and Paige Peterson beelining towards the atrium


President H. Delano Roosevelt, National Defense University Deputy Commandant Ambassador John Desrocher, and Special Envoy Lenderking share a moment


Elizabeth Dahouk, National Council Board Treasurer Elizabeth Wossen, and Pam Kiser


National Council Board Member Oliver Zandona greets old friend


Jasmine Eden and Marwa Ghumrawi at the welcome gathering


Ragad Aljouaid and her sister Saudi Defense Attaché representative Alhanouf Aljouaid and National Council Area Studies Director Dr. William and Bouchra Lawrence


Patrick Mancino, H. Delano Roosevelt, Bruno Damieno, Carol and Stefano Deleidi, Elizabeth Wossen, Jasmine Eden, and Fadi Hilani heading into dinner


HRH Prince Turki and Paige Peterson welcome Brigadier General Abdullah Alammar (left) and Chris Whipple (right) to dinner

At the gala dinner, National Council President H. Delano Roosevelt welcomed the attendees and introduced remarks by Sarah Dodd, winner of the John Duke Anthony Award for outstanding contributions to the Council’s summer internship program. Dr. Foukara then delivered profound remarks on both Middle Eastern humanitarian issues and world affairs that were among the highlights of the conference.

The Council then awarded both KSRelief and H.E. Dr. Al Rabeeah global health and humanitarian leadership awards for their inspirational work implementing projects in over 170 countries and for Dr. Al Rabeeah’s trailblazing success separating 61 sets of conjoined twins, more than anyone on the planet. The gala and conference included two sets of moving remarks by Chef Andres, recorded live among flood victims in Valencia, Spain. At the dinner, these remarks focused on his remarkable collaboration with KSRelief and Dr. Rabeeah.

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A Day at West Point: Forging Alliances, Connecting Cultures

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By Paige Peterson and Colonel (Ret.) Abbas Dahouk

The United States Military Academy at West Point stands among the foremost institutions globally for cultivating leaders. Those within the esteemed Long Gray Line uphold the ethos of “Duty, Honor, Country,” leading in various spheres, whether in uniform or beyond. Beyond rigorous academic and physical challenges, West Point instills essential military proficiencies crucial for success in today’s intricate landscape of war and peace, fostering a commitment to excellence and national service among cadets as future Army officers.

Colonel (Ret.) Abbas Dahouk and I serve on the Board of Directors of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. We joined fellow members from the National Council – Board Chairman John Pratt and Executive Vice President & Director of Development Patrick Mancino – for a recent visit.

We first explored the Malek Visitors Center, an essential stop when entering the Military Academy at West Point. The center features seven exhibit areas, including two movie theaters, and 20 exhibitions. A nine-minute film, West Point – The National Treasure, plays every 20 minutes.

“The Long Gray Line,” in its simplest definition, encompasses all graduates and cadets of the military academy. The phrase signifies the unique bonds connecting every graduate to those who came before and those who will follow. It symbolizes the demanding four-year journey experienced by all cadets, a period of instruction steeped in tradition and largely unchanged since its inception. The term evokes the image of the gray cadet uniforms worn by generations of young individuals, enduring the discomfort of itchy wool fabric and stiff collars—a tradition integral to West Point’s pageantry. This shared tradition is reflected in the resilience of outstanding American leaders, including two U.S. presidents, numerous generals, industry leaders, and over 80 thousand graduates who have led our Army’s soldiers as young officers.

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Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations Spring 2024 “NEWSLINES”

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Cover of the Spring 2024 NEWSLINES newsletterThe 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 alumnus of the Council’s Malone Fellowship in Arab and Islamic Studies Program, the coordinator of the Southeast Model Arab League conference, and the faculty advisor heading the Converse College Youth Leadership Development / Model Arab League program.

CCUSAR recently published its Spring 2024 “NEWSLINES” newsletter, available for download through the link below.

The issue features:

  • Powerful illustrations and testimonials from participants in the National Council’s Youth Leadership Development Program / Model Arab League, sharing how the program impacted them; along with
  • Highlights from the 2024 National University and Southeast Regional Youth Leadership Development Program / Model Arab League conferences; and also
  • A story about interfaith dialogue in Spartanburg, South Carolina; together with
  • A book review of Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict by Oren Kessler.

DOWNLOAD “CCUSAR NEWSLINES (Spring 2024)” [PDF]

Dr. Fadi Hilani: Bridging Cultures Through Academia and Analysis

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In the world of academia and foreign policy analysis, Dr. Fadi Hilani stands as a bridge between cultures, bringing together his expertise in linguistics, Middle East policy, and U.S. relations with the Arab countries. Appointed in 2023 as the Senior Academic and Research Fellow-in-Residence at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, Dr. Hilani continues to delve into critical issues shaping the Arab Gulf region, including most recently an analysis of the growth of esports in Saudi Arabia, and rethinking strategies of defense, security, and economics.

man in a dark suit smiling in front of a navy blue backdrop

Dr. Fadi Hilani

Dr. Hilani’s diverse background in academia sets a strong foundation for his current role. Before joining the National Council, he served as a professor of linguistics at institutions such as Aleppo University in Syria, Isra University in Jordan, and Montclair State University in New Jersey, U.S.A. His journey also includes mentoring students across different countries, offering guidance on thesis writing, and other academic pursuits.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hilani’s scholarly contributions have extended beyond the classroom. He has lent his expertise as a peer reviewer for academic journals, including Research on Language and Social Interaction and Multilingua: Journal of Cross-Cultural and Interlanguage Communication. His research interests have centered on Arabic conversation analysis, shedding light on the nuances of communication within the Arab world.

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Summer 2024 Washington, DC Internship Program

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Washington, DC Summer Internship Program

June 3 – July 26, 2024

NCUSAR Washington, DC Summer Internship Program Students

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ 2024 Washington, DC Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate and graduate students an eight-week professional, academic, and career opportunity internship with an organization in the nation’s capital. The program features a demanding mix of professional involvement, intellectual challenge, career exploration, and cross-cultural encounters designed to provide students with a rich and varied experience.

  • Professional work experience: Students are placed with one of over a dozen Near East and Arab region-related organizations with offices in Washington, D.C., where they are expected to work 35-40 hours per week under the direct supervision of their host organizations. Internships are unpaid.
  • Academic seminars: Students take part in twice-weekly seminar sessions designed to provide them with greater depth of knowledge about the Arab region, 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: Students receive a behind-the-scenes look at many of the central institutions of the federal government, national security policymaking, international diplomacy, and international business.

NCUSAR Washington, DC Summer Internship Program

About the Program

The National Council’s Summer Internship Program offers professional work experiences combined with twice-weekly evening seminars that bring academic specialists and experienced foreign policy practitioners to meet with students in candid off-the-record discussions and dynamic question-and-answer sessions. Its objectives are:

  1. to provide a realistic work experience in a Washington, D.C.-based office that will provide pathways for career development;
  2. to offer interns exposure to the foreign policy analysis and advocacy processes in the nation’s capital;
  3. to incorporate a strong academic component focusing on U.S. political, economic, and cultural relations with Arabia and the Gulf region;
  4. to help participants begin the process of career networking by introducing them to working professionals in government, business, journalism, and NGOs; and,
  5. 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 Washington, 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 the nation’s capital. 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 D.C.
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[Preview] Geopolitical Crossroads in Yemen: Unraveling Yemen’s Future Amidst Trade Routes and Conflict – December 14, 2023

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The Washington Center for Yemeni Studies and the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations invite you to:

Geopolitical Crossroads in Yemen: Unraveling Yemen’s Future Amidst Trade Routes and Conflict

Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of the India-Middle East-EU trade route and its potential impact on Yemen’s economy. Against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict and maritime threats in the Red Sea, specialists will delve into the regional competition over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the prospects for lasting peace and sustainable development.

Speakers:

  • Sami Hamdi, Managing Director and Head of Political Risk of the International Interest.
  • Colonel (Ret.) Abbas K. Dahouk, Member of the Board of Directors of the National Council on U.S. Arab Relations, Founder and President of HyphenPoint LLC.

Moderator:

  • Marwa J Ghumrawi, Operations and Communications Manager of the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies.

 

🔍 Key Focus

  • Implications for Yemen’s Economy
  • Geopolitical Challenges Unveiled
  • Prospects for Lasting Peace and Sustainable Development

 

🗓️ Date & Time:

December 14, 2023, 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

🌐 Virtual Venue:

Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/9294347323?omn=97332166419

Meeting ID: 929 434 7323

Keynote Remarks by HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud [40th Anniversary Gala]

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On November 16, 2023, the National Council held a special evening celebration of the 40th anniversary of its establishment as a Washington-based, non-profit, educational NGO. The program featured keynote remarks by HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud.

National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Presents ‘Public Service Achievement Award’ to H.E. Mohamed M. Abou El Enein

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On the occasion of its 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations presented its PUBLIC SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to H.E. Mohamed M. Abou El Enein, Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament and Chairman of Cleopatra Group.