Saudi Arabia's Leadership Changes: Implications for Stability and Energy Markets

A discussion with:
Dr. Anthony Cordesman
Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy
Center for Strategic and International Studies   

The Hon. Francis Ricciardone
Vice President and Director, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council

Dr. Jean-François Seznec
Visiting Associate Professor, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
Georgetown University

Moderated by:
David Goldwyn
President
Goldwyn Global Strategies

Welcome remarks by:
The Hon. Richard L. Morningstar
Founding Director, Global Energy Center
Atlantic Council 

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Last month, Saudi Arabia's King Salman reshuffled his cabinet and appointed a new line of succession in a major reorganization of the top echelons of power in the kingdom. Following the announcement, reports indicated that the state-owned oil giant, Saudi Aramco, would be restructured to operate independently from the Saudi oil industry. Coupled with low oil prices, geopolitical instability in the region, and distrust over Iran’s nuclear program and regional ambitions, the kingdom’s new geopolitical reality raises several important questions: What impacts will the recent leadership changes in Saudi Arabia have on the global energy order and regional stability and security? Is the restructuring of Saudi Aramco indicative of future changes within Saudi Arabia's energy sector? How will the outcomes of the Camp David meeting between President Obama and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders and a potential June P5+1 agreement with Iran influence Saudi actions in the region? 

Please join us on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a discussion on these critical issues. Panelists include Dr. Anthony H. Cordesman, the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Hon. Francis Ricciardone, Vice President and Director of the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, and Dr. Jean-François Seznec, Visiting Associate Professor at Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. David Goldwyn, President of Goldwyn Global Strategies and Chair of the Atlantic Council Energy Advisory Board, will moderate the discussion and The Hon. Richard Morningstar, Founding Director of the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center, will deliver welcome remarks.
 

Friday, May 29, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.   
1030 15th Street NW 
12th Floor (West Tower Elevator)

Follow the conversation on Twitter @ACenergycenter using #ACmideast

This event is on-the-record and open to press