THE MIDDLE EAST IN 2012 AND BEYOND

A Political-Economic Conflict Seminar

Capitol Hill Club
Washington, DC

The United States continues to face serious strategic, economic and political challenges throughout the region. Security implications of the troop draw-down in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Iranian nuclear program, the war on terror, the politics of oil, and the fallout from the Arab Spring will all pose critical tests for Congress, the Obama White House and the Pentagon. This seminar will discuss each of these areas of concern and analyze how U.S. foreign policymakers might respond.

Stability in the Middle East and America's relationship with the wider Muslim world are linked to how effectively the United States manages a number of difficult issues, ranging from Iraq's fragile democracy and Iran's nuclear ambitions to the terrorist insurgency in Afghanistan. The stakes will be high since what happens in these three pivotal states will be felt by key American allies from Turkey to the Horn of Africa.

Achieving even basic security in the Middle East will depend on an array of political and economic variables abroad and on an equally important partisan debate in Washington. In this special three-day Political-Economic Conflict Seminar, attendees will explore U.S. strategic options as well as the politics, culture, and the religious and sectarian issues at the heart of this tumultuous region.  

SEMINAR TOPICS*

• Libya After Gadhafi
• The Middle East: The United States and a Changing Region
• Arab Spring: The Impact on Global Terrorism
• The Eastern Flank — South Asia and the Middle East
• The Prospect for Democracy in the Middle East: The End of the Road?
• Troop Withdrawal from Iraq and the Implications for U.S. National Interests
• Turkish-American Relations: Current Tensions and Future Prospects
• The Iran Dilemma: Politics, Culture, Society and the Future of the Islamic Republic
• Jordan, Kuwait and Yemen: Simmering Problems and New Challenges
• Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah: Mutual Support and Common Targets
• Israel and Palestine: Is A Breakthrough Possible?
• Iran's Nuclear Challenge: The Stakes for the United States and Its Allies
• Has American Foreign Policy Misread the Middle East?
• The Middle East: Why the Region Will Remain Crucial for American Interests
• The Persian Gulf States: Emerging Powers, Old Enmities, and the New Middle East
• The Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted: Egypt, Techonology, and Political Change
• Uprising in Tunisia, Libya and Syria: Similarities and Differences
• Nation Building in Iraq and Afghanistan: The Impact on the Military
• Al Qaeda and the Continuing War on Terror
• Talking to Terrorists: Should America Engage With Its Enemies?
• U.S.-Saudi Relations in the New Era
• The World Oil Market and the Role of the Middle East
• *The above topics may change to address changing current events at the time of the seminar.

PARTICIPANT COMMENTS

Just the right level of detail; the way it was organized, it really tied the whole area together very well. The currency of the information was perfectly blended with historical information. Excellent program; great environment! Well done!

Thoroughly enjoyed the seminar; very thought provoking

Great program! Thanks for presenters with current, diverse experiences and not just academics spouting off.

Excellent course! I really appreciated each topic and each speaker's perspective! Thank you—what a pleasure!

Very well done; I very much appreciated the divergence of viewpoints and highly value hearing the views of true subject matter experts. Particularly I enjoy hearing views I don't agree with.

I found this course to be relevant and accurate. It was extremely thought provoking and enlightening. Super smart, prepared, intriguing speakers

Great forum for learning; very good group of speakers that covered all the topic areas I would have chosen.

This was a very good course. I'm glad I attended.

Well balanced perspectives and experience

Good diversity of points of view; course was relevant and useful.

Great to hear speakers with substantial experience in the region; authentic context and provoking analysis of relationships and politics of conflict

All the speakers demonstrated a truly remarkable depth of knowledge on their topics. Wow—no power points!! The delivery of these complex areas was very exceptional. Super and comprehensive!

Outstanding course; great variety of speakers from government, academia, think tanks

Outstanding speakers with super ability to talk on topics for approximate 40 minutes . . . and keep the audience interested and engaged on all these critical issues.

Great speakers and diverse viewpoints

MODERATOR

The program moderator will be of international stature and will have extensive professional experience in the policy issues covered in this three-day seminar. The moderator will facilitate, when necessary, dialogue between the speakers and participants, as well as lead the group discussions and Q&A sessions.

FEE

The fee for each three-day Foreign Policy Seminar is $1,985 per person. The program will feature approximately 12-15 separate presentations. Also included are continental breakfast and working luncheons. The seminar will be held in a private meeting room at the Capitol Hill Club. An on-site staff person will assist participants as needed and coordinate daily activities.

REGISTRATION

The target audience for these seminars are civilians (GS-15 and above) and military (O-6 and above). Others who have a special interest in the subject, need-to-know, or are in key positions may apply. Seminar space is limited to assure participants have ample time for open discussion with presenters. Upon registration, attendees will receive confirmation via email. Cancellations will be accepted in writing up to two weeks prior to each program. After that time, substitutions will be accepted. The Agency will be billed if registration is cancelled after the deadline.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call Iris Fernandez or Patricia Patton at 703-684-8807.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Foreign Policy Seminars will be held in a private meeting room at the Capitol Hill Club, located at 300 First Street, SE, Washington, DC. The Club is directly across the street from the Capitol South Metro Station (Blue and Orange Lines). Business attire for participants is required. Military uniform is optional.

Reporting information concerning registration time and workshop start and end times will be sent to all participants approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of each program. The seminar meeting room will be open at 8:00 am and seminars will be conducted from 8:30 to 4:00 pm.

These programs are informal and strictly "off-the-record." No video, power point or audio-visual aids are utilized in the presentations.

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