The United States and the Gulf Arab states maintain a long-standing partnership that is crucial to their national interests. Yet suspicion, common misunderstanding, and mistrust of the other are widespread on both sides – among elites as well as in public opinion and popular culture. Repairing frayed trust and restoring mutual confidence is essential, and will require, as a first step, a thorough understanding of how American and Gulf Arab societies view each other.
What are the fundamental impressions that Americans and Arabs from the Gulf states hold about each other? What are the cultural bases and key historical turning points that have shaped these impressions? How can both sides work together, and separately, to address concerns and rebuild confidence? How can we ensure that the public, on both sides, is aware of the key interests and shared goals that have shaped a close working relationship?
AGSIW was pleased to present a detailed examination of these issues and more with James J. Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, based on his years of groundbreaking polling in the United States and the Arab world, and long career of advocacy and analysis. AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish moderated the discussion.