President Franklin Roosevelt and King Abdul-Aziz (Ibn Saud) of Saudi Arabia aboard USS Quincy, Great Bitter Lake, Egypt, 14 Feb 1945. The King is speaking to the interpreter, Marine Corps Colonel William A. Eddy (kneeling), minister to Saudi Arabia.
February 11, 2025
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Washington, D.C., U.S.A. / Eastern Time
Registration is NOT REQUIRED to view the program.
Submit questions to the specialists: questions@ncusar.org
Background and Context
On February 14th, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with His Majesty King Abdulaziz Al Saud aboard the USS Quincy on the Great Bitter Lake along the Suez Canal in Egypt. This meeting
formally launched what would become a special 80 year relationship between the United States of American and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The first portion of this webinar will feature welcoming and keynote remarks from the grandsons of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and His Majesty King Abdulaziz Al Saud. Following their
remarks will be a moderated discussion featuring some of the best known scholars reflecting on the history of our two great nations and what lies ahead.
Participants
Welcome and Introductions:
- Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt, President and CEO, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations | Bio
Keynote Remarks:
- HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, Chairman, King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies
Moderated Discussion
Moderator:
- Dr. William Lawrence, Director of the North Africa Area Studies and Senior Academic Fellow, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations | Bio
Featured Speakers:
- Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Founder & Chairman, Gulf Research Center, Saudi Arabia | Bio
- Dr. Joseph Kéchichian, Senior Research Fellow, Office of the Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, CEO, Kéchichian & Associates, LLC | Bio
- Mr. David Rundell, Author of Vision or Mirage: Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads, Former Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, & National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations International Advisory Board Member | Bio