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Regional Perspectives on US Policy in the Middle East

A conversation with:

Dr. Kristin Diwan
Senior Fellow
Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington 

Dr. H.A. Hellyer
Nonresident Senior Fellow,  Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council

Dr. Haykel Ben Mahfoud (via Skype)
Nonresident Fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council

Dr. Karim Mezran
Senior Fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council

Dr. Nicola Pedde
Director 
Institute for Global Studies, Rome 

Moderated by:

Ms. Mirette F. Mabrouk
Deputy Director and Director for Research & Programs, 
Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council 
 

As the dust begins to settle after the transition of power in Washington, the spotlight is slowly moving to the administration’s policies toward the Middle East and North Africa. With the region already troubled by one of President Trump’s early executive orders and several phone calls and meetings with regional leaders, many unanswered questions remain about the direction of the relationship with the Middle East. Our distinguished panel will discuss how the region is watching, anticipating, and reacting to shifts in policy, including Kristin Diwan on the Gulf, Haykel Ben Mahfoudh and Karim Mezran on North Africa, H.A. Hellyer on Egypt, and Nicola Pedde on Iran. 

Will the Trump administration fulfill its campaign promise to re-assert its role in the Middle East? How will the president and Congress react to ongoing challenges and opportunities in Libya, Yemen, and Egypt? Will the president’s style have a significant impact on the relationship with hardline leaders in Syria, Iran, and others across the region? Please join us for a discussion of these and other issues of concern to the United States in the Middle East.