Gulf in the News – June 21, 2013

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Qatar expels Lebanese after GCC Hezbollah decision

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

At least 18 Lebanese citizens have been expelled from Qatar, a government source in Beirut said on Thursday, after the Gulf Cooperation Council pledged to act against members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement. “Eighteen Lebanese have been expelled from Qatar, in the wake of the GCC decision,” the source said on condition of anonymity, saying it was not clear if they were Hezbollah members. On June 10, the GCC, to which Qatar belongs, said it would implement measures affecting the “residency permits and financial and commercial transactions of Hezbollah” in response to the group’s involvement in the conflict in Syria.

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“The Impact of Regional Political Developments on the Evolution of Transnational Terrorism in Saudi Arabia” by Dr. Saad Alsubaie

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National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Distinguished International Security Studies Fellow Dr. Saad Alsubaie’s doctoral dissertation on “The impact of regional political developments on the evolution of transnational terrorism in Saudi Arabia” is available online through Kansas State University’s Research Exchange (K-REx). The abstract as well as a link to access the full dissertation is available below.

ABSTACT:

Since the late 1970s Saudi Arabia has experienced transnational terrorism in sporadic waves whose character has evolved over time. While most of the literature on these waves of terrorism focuses on religious extremism this dissertation argues that terrorism in Saudi Arabia, although framed in religious terms, is not the result of religious factors alone, but more importantly a function of external variables. Taking the role of religious extremism into consideration, this dissertation underlines the importance of external factors on the mobilization of transnational terrorist groups throughout the Islamic world and particularly in Saudi Arabia. It argues that religious extremist terrorism cannot be examined in isolation from the context of the developments that ignite it and revolutionize its doctrine. This dissertation examines three key regional political developments – the Iranian revolution, the 1990 Gulf war, and the 2003 Iraq war – together with terrorist violence in their aftermath to show how the significant political events transformed extremist worldviews from passive to violent to organized terrorism. Though the character of these three political events and the terrorist acts that they unleashed differ widely in context, scope, and character, there are common threads among all three that illuminate how different dynamics contribute to the evolution of transnational terrorist mobilization. The dissertation identifies how the development of a politico-religious ideology, shaped and revolutionized by the presence of political crises, became a driving force behind much of the terrorism following these major political events. By exploring the interplay of popular perceptions, political entrepreneurs, and state responses, this dissertation seeks to better understand the complex dynamics involved in the evolution of transnational terrorism in Saudi Arabia.

Access “The impact of regional political developments on the evolution of transnational terrorism in Saudi Arabia” in Kansas State University’s Research Exchange (K-REx)

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Gulf in the News – June 19, 2013

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Cabinet to meet to decide on ideal date for elections – Debate rages over constitutional court ruling

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

The Cabinet is expected to hold an extraordinary session today to discuss an ideal date for the parliamentary election following the constitutional court’s ruling that scrapped the National Assembly as the debate over the verdict continues among various political groups. The Cabinet may announce the election date today after approving a decree to dissolve the Assembly or postpone a final decision until the beginning of next week. Observers believe that the most likely scenario is to hold polls during the holy month of Ramadan that will start on July 9 and specifically in the last third of the month.

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Carolinas Committee on U.S.-Arab Relations Spring 2013 “NEWSLINES”

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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 2013 “NEWSLINES” newsletter featuring:

  • Dr. Dunn’s reflections on a recent visit to Iraqi Kurdistan;
  • a Converse College student’s reflections on a National Council Model Arab League study visit to Saudi Arabia;
  • highlights from the 2013 Southeast and National Model Arab Leagues;
  • a story about Converse College hosting a delegation of Jordanian students; and
  • a book review of The Arab Spring: Change and Resistance in the Middle East, edited by Mark L. Haas and David W. Lesch.

The full issue of CCUSAR’s Spring 2013 NEWSLINES is available for download through the link immediate below.

DOWNLOAD “CCUSAR NEWSLINES (Spring 2013)” (.pdf file)

Gulf in the News – June 17, 2013

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GCC to continue heavy investments in infrastructure

Source: Al Arabiya (Read full story)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will continue to invest heavily in infrastructure and diversify their economies, thus boosting non-oil GDP growth, Qatar National Bank (QNB) said in a report. The study also noted that the MENA region is expected to grow between 3.5 percent and 4 percent this year and 4.5 percent to 5 percent in 2014, notwithstanding significant headwinds from the global economy and domestic political uncertainty in a number of countries in the region.

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Gulf in the News – June 14, 2013

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Bahrain dismantles pro-Iran group

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Bahrain announced yesterday the arrest of leading members of the radical opposition February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition, an influential clandestine cyber-group accused of links to Iran. “After an extensive investigation, several members of the February 14 terrorist organization were identified … (and) the main actors who took part in criminal acts have been arrested,” the Interior Ministry said. The group has been the main motor behind disturbances that began in 2011. The ministry said the group’s spiritual leader is Hadi Al-Mudaressi, a leading cleric living in the Iraqi city of Karbala, and said he “provided divisive sectarian support to the organization.”

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August Arabic Language Program in Oman – Application Deadline June 21

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August Intensive Arabic Language Program at the

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations is pleased to present information about a special August Arabic Program at the Center for International Learning (CIL) in Muscat, Oman.

About the August Arabic Program:

CIL is offering a 3-week Arabic program from August 18 – September 5, 2013. Instruction is offered at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, and includes Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) grammar, media literacy, skills (reading, writing, listening), conversation (MSA and Omani dialect), and utilizes peer facilitators (Omani language partners). The program includes 6 hours of classes 5 days a week, with class sizes typically between 5 and 8 students.

August Arabic Program Cost:

Tuition only – $2,455

In-country package (includes: tuition, shared modern hotel suite or flat, half board (i.e., weekday continental breakfast and lunch), and weekday ground transportation) – $2,900

Application Form:

Applications are available through the link below or can be obtained by emailing Megan Geissler at Megan@ncusar.org.

http://ncusar.org/programs/NCUSAR-CIL-2013-August-Application.pdf

Students should email completed applications to Arabic_August@omancenter.org along with a copy of the photo page of their passport. Applications are due June 21, 2013.

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Gulf in the News – Wednesday June 12, 2013

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Hezbollah supporters to be thrown out of GCC countries

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah who are residing in Gulf Cooperation Council states will pay the price for the Shiite movement’s military role in Syria against freedom fighters. A GCC statement, citing a ministerial council decision, said the measures will affect Hezbollah members’ “residency permits, and financial and commercial transactions.” The statement urged the Lebanese government to “assume its responsibilities toward the behavior of Hezbollah and its illegal and inhumane practices in Syria and the region.”

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