A King From The East Approaches: Looking at King Salman’s Meeting with President Obama

Posted on September 3, 2015 by John Duke Anthony

King Salman’s visit to Washington comes at a unique time in the U.S.-Saudi Arabian relationship. The relationship is fundamentally strong. It is, however, characterized by a lack of adequate mutual understanding – among many there are different motives and goals, misattributions of intent, and stress on its underpinnings.

It is human nature to accept the positive aspects of a situation as given and to focus – and in some cases obsess – on the negative. So the following is warranted: the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia will not only endure. It is more likely to strengthen than weaken over time.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sa’ud and President Barack Obama during the president’s January 27, 2015, visit to Saudi Arabia. Photo: U.S. Department of State.

The disagreements and trends outlined below will not significantly disrupt the strong and committed strategic, economic, geopolitical, and defense cooperation relationship. Indeed, even if the meeting between King Salman and President Obama contains moments of what a freewheeling media may contend are contentious, the fact that the leaders of these two nations are meeting at all – and at this time to exchange views on matters of immense importance to both peoples – is in and of itself a sign of the relationship’s strength. For context: note that the United States and Great Britain meet to resolve differences; the Koreas do not. Of these two sets of relationships, one is strong and vital; the other is, at best, dysfunctional.

The positive aspects aside, that the media, Members of Congress, and lobbyists of all stripes will and have already begun to parrot and highlight elements of mistrust and misapprehension in the relationship is undeniable. Given those that support them – and/or to whom they seek to convey their analyses and net negative assessments of the Saudi Arabia-U.S. relationship – are who they are, this is in many ways to be expected. In the dynamics of give and take within a world where different parties and powers often display their competitive colors, such jousting between friends, allies, and partners – and adversaries, too – is also something else: part of the essence of two non-identical countries – name two countries that are not – being regional and international leaders.

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NCUSAR Earns Grant from Essam & Dalal Obaid Foundation

Posted on June 12, 2015 by NCUSAR

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”

Posted on June 11, 2015 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 2015 “NEWSLINES” newsletter featuring:

Dr. Dunn’s reflections on modernization and development in Qatar based on his fall 2014 visit through the National Council’s Model Arab League Qatar Exchange Fellowship.
A travelogue and commentary from Dr. Thomas Doleys of Kennesaw State University, who also participated in the Council’s 2014 Model Arab League study visit to Qatar, about the delegation’s experiences.
Thoughts from Converse College student Gabriella Chamberland about her experiences as a photographer during the Council’s 2014 Model Arab League study visit to Qatar.
An article focusing on “Women in Saudi Arabia” by Converse College student Lauren Ziegler drawn from her experiences on a Council Model Arab League study visit to Saudi Arabia.
Recaps from the 2015 Southeast and National MALs where Converse College won top delegation awards.
Reviews of three books on the Islamic State group.

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. John Duke Anthony on Inside Story (Al Jazeera English)

Posted on May 18, 2015 by John Duke Anthony

On May 15, 2015, Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President & CEO of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, appeared on Inside Story on Al Jazeera English. The program explored the recently concluded U.S.-GCC Summit in Washington and Camp David, and U.S. pledges to defend its Gulf allies.

Watch Segment

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

Posted on May 15, 2015 by NCUSAR

after-agreement-300x200 On 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

Posted on May 14, 2015 by NCUSAR

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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The GCC-U.S. Summit: An Opportunity for Strategic Reassurance?

Posted on May 12, 2015 by John Duke Anthony

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An unprecedented and extraordinary event is about to occur: a heads of state summit. These, by any standard, can be and often are extraordinary events. That’s what this one is. It is so because it gathers in the capital of the United States President Barack Obama with the representatives of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The two-day summit is set for May 13-14, 2015.

GCC leaders are scheduled to meet with the president in Washington on day one and on day two gather with him in the more capacious and secluded confines of Camp David. The latter venue is a longtime private presidential meeting place in the Maryland foothills, which is conducive to wide-ranging and deeply probing discussions on matters of common, timely, and varying degrees of urgent interest to the president, his advisers, his guests, and their advisers. The focus of this essay is the issues, challenges, and opportunities that will focus the principals’ attention while there.

The Summit’s Participants in Context

That the summit is occurring at this time is no mere coincidence. In terms of the GCC-U.S. relationship, it brings to the forefront the chief representative of the world’s most militarily, economically, and technologically advanced nation. Joining him will be the leaders of six neighboring Arab Gulf countries from what is arguably the world’s most strategically vital region that are little known and even less well understood by the American people as a whole.

What needs to be better comprehended by the American public regarding these countries are the roots and nature of their multifaceted strategic importance not just to their peoples and immediate region, but also the United States and the world in general. To begin with, the six GCC countries possess thirty per cent of the planet’s proven reserves of oil, the vital strategic commodity that drives the world’s economies. Collectively, they are also the holders of the developing world’s largest reservoir of financial assets, as measured in the trillions of dollars.

Crude Oil 2014 Proved Reserves.

In addition, the GCC countries have no rivals in their combined positive impact on the American aerospace and defense industries. In the past half-decade, their purchases of U.S.-manufactured defense and security structures, systems, technology, weaponry, ammunition, training, maintenance, and operational assistance have massively impacted and continue to impact the American economy.

The dynamism and mutuality of benefits in the U.S.-GCC relationship are envied by virtually every country that wishes it could accomplish anything remotely similar.

The purchases of American export goods and services by these countries have provided jobs essential to the material wellbeing of millions of Americans. They have extended production lines of products that would otherwise no longer be available. As a consequence, they have lowered the cost per unit of many American manufactured goods. In so doing, they have thereby enhanced the competitiveness of this component of the American economy to a degree envied by virtually every government or corporation in other countries that would wish they could accomplish anything remotely similar.

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

Posted on May 6, 2015 by NCUSAR

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.