Middle East and South Asia Seminar

Program Description

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From Cairo to Karachi, from Dubai to Delhi, the countries across the Middle East and South Asia region pose unique challenges and opportunities for U.S policymakers. In the broader Middle East and North Africa region, traditional allies from Egypt to Saudi Arabia to Israel face new and complex challenges, while adversaries like Iran continue to assert political and military influence from Syria and Iraq to Yemen.

Across South Asia, the persistent problems of poverty and the lack of development remain. The promise of India’s rise has yet to fully materialize even as it has become a more important U.S. partner in the region. Pakistan increasingly falls under the shadow of China even as it struggles to rein in a military used to holding power. At the same time an assertive China, while vying for dominance in South Asia, has moved strategically into the Middle East and North Africa, investing and trading robustly across the region.

The demographic weight of the Middle East and South Asia—nearly 2.5 billion people—coupled with its economic challenges ensures that the fate of those key countries will continue to affect the world. The specter of America’s great state rivals, China and Russia, dominating this important region, is a reality that cannot be ignored. 

By drawing upon the knowledge and experience of a diverse group of prominent experts on the Middle East and South Asia, this seminar will offer attendees the opportunity to deepen their understanding of this critical and fast changing region in an informal, off-the-record setting.

 

Suggested Seminar Topics

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• The Rise of India: What it Means for the U.S.
• Populism in Pakistan: Understanding the Tussle between Imran Khan and the Pakistani Army
• Who are the Houthis? Understanding the Group that Threatens Global Shipping
• The India-Israel Partnership and Why it Matters to the U.S.
• Middle East and South Asia Brief
• The Iran Challenge and the Future of U.S.-Iranian Relations
• Rebuilding Arab Defense: U.S. Security Cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa
• Saudi Arabia and Long-Term U.S. Strategic Thinking
• The Egypt Brief: Politics, Economics, Foreign Policy, and National Security
• Turkey at the Crossroads: Geopolitics, Economics, and Security
• Pakistan on the Brink: Security, Politics, and Economics
• The Drivers of Russia’s Strategy in the Middle East
• India’s Strategic and Military Policy Towards Russia, China, and the United States
• From Chaos to Cooperation: Toward a New Regional Order in the Middle East
• The Evolving Geopolitical Orders in the Middle East and South Asia
• The Middle East and South Asia: Demographics, Geopolitics, Commerce and Security
• Enter the Dragon: China’s Rise in the Middle East and South Asia
• How the Arab Media Has Transformed the Region
• From Syria to Latin America: From Crisis to Conflict
• Whither Afghanistan After the U.S. Withdrawal?
• Why Security Cooperation with the Middle East Matters

The above topics may change to address current events and interests of the participants at the time of the seminar.
 

Moderator

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The Program Moderator will have extensive experience conducting senior-level foreign policy seminars for the Intel Community. The Moderator will have first-hand knowledge and a detailed, up-to-date understanding of the region being studied in each seminar. In addition to the daily morning introduction and afternoon wrap-up, the Moderator will generally make a separate presentation and be available to provide additional presentations as needed. The Moderator will facilitate, when necessary, dialogue between the speakers and participants as well as lead the group discussions and Q&A sessions.

 

Fee

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The fee for each three-day Foreign Policy Seminar is $2,475 per person. The program will feature approximately 12-15 separate presentations. Also included are daily continental breakfasts and working luncheons. The seminar will be held in a private meeting room. An on-site staff person will assist participants as needed and coordinate daily activities.

 

Registration

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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 within five days. 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 the office at 703-684-8807.

 

Available Formats/Delivery Options

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Option 1: A three-day, in-person Middle East and South Asia Seminar held at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington D.C. The seminar will feature approximately 15 separate presentations.

Option 2: A one-day, in-person Middle East and South Asia Seminar delivered on base or at a nearby hotel. The seminar will feature approximately five separate presentations followed by an afternoon panel discussion.

Option 3: A one-day live broadcast/virtual Middle East and South Asia Seminar. It will feature five separate presentations followed by an afternoon panel discussion. Questions or comments will be transmitted live via “chat”.

Please call 703-684-8807 for further information and pricing.