DATE Monday October 16, 2017 TIME 12:30 - 2:00 pm LOCATION AGSIW SPEAKER H.E. Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa MODERATOR Kristin Smith Diwan Watch live
On October 12, rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas agreed to a national reconciliation pact that began to sketch out a new political arrangement that could lead to far-reaching changes in Gaza with broad, regional implications. Since the decisive break between the two factions in 2007 – each ruling their respective territories in the West Bank and Gaza, which were therefore also sundered – Palestinians have reached many such accords. All of them have failed. However, the new arrangement goes much farther than any of its predecessors and seems to enjoy a wide range of regional backing, including from some key Gulf countries, and the prospect of real benefits for almost all parties. Read more
بعد تهديدات استمرت لأشهر بتصعيد موقفه ضد الاتفاق النووي مع إيران، حانت الفرصة يوم الجمعة للرئيس دونالد ترامب لإطلاق الرصاصة الأولى ضد الاتفاق، حين اتهم طهران بلهجة لاذعة وصارخة بانتهاك "روح" الاتفاق الذي وقعته مع الولايات المتحدة وفرنسا وبريطانيا وألمانيا والصين وروسيا في 2015. رفض ترامب المصادقة على التزام إيران بالاتفاق (وفقا لقانون أقره الكونغرس ويقضي بأن يعود الرئيس للكونغرس مرة كل تسعين يوما ليؤكد أو ينفي التزام إيران بالاتفاق) يشكل تنفيذا جزئيا لوعد قطعه المرشح ترامب لمؤيديه خلال معركته الانتخابية الطويلة اطلع على المزيد
Some aspects of the Saudi king’s trip are independent of Washington’s policies. Riyadh and Moscow must cooperate on energy pricing, on which both of their economies depend, and those relations are largely a bilateral matter. However, other elements of the trip do suggest an increased desire of the Saudis to build relations with Russia, diversify their options, and develop their own independent stance in the region. Read more
After the announcement of Donald Trump’s “new Iran strategy” everyone, both those panicked and elated, need to take a deep breath. For all the drama and bluster of the Trump speech and the White House’s companion Iran strategy summary document, very little has changed thus far. And there’s little indication of when, how, or into what, US policy will change. Read more
In the Media
Speaking with Arab News, President Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba commented on U.S. President Donald J. Trump's decision to decline certifying Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: "I think the president believes not certifying the agreement will send a clear message to Iran that the US intends to push back on Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and particularly over its support of terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah."
Outreach
AGSIW Non-Resident Fellow DB Des Roches spoke on the panel "The GCC Rift: Regional & Global Implications" at the Middle East Policy Council, discussing U.S. foreign policy interests in the GCC crisis.
Arabian Sights Film Festival
AGSIW is proud to sponsor the Cultural Ambassador Prize at the 2017 Arabian Sights Film Festival, October 20-29. The Cultural Ambassador Prize is a competition of selected films that deserve increased recognition.
Position Title: Program and Digital Media Intern Department/Team: Programs and Publications Period: Spring 2018 Hours: 20 to 30 hours per week Location: Washington, DC Deadline to Apply: November 1
Job Summary: The Internship Program at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington provides talented students and recent graduates with a three-month (or longer) training opportunity designed to encourage professional and personal development. We encourage out-of-the-box thinking and value fresh perspectives. Read more
