Egypt and the Politics of Change in the Arab World
Lecture
For the first time in the modern Arab political history, established authoritarian regimes have been overthrown by popular opposition in Tunisia and Egypt. Reflecting the significant changes that have taken place in Arab society, economy and political culture over the past three decades, the…
Egypt: Mubarak's Legacy and its Implications
Lecture
Western-backed President Hosni Mubarak has a lot to answer for what his former foreign minister and now the head of the Arab League, Amr Musa, recently called the Arab broken soul. Mubarak leaves behind an Egypt riddled with poverty, corruption, socio-economic disparities, political uncertainties…
Life in Occupied Palestine
Lecture
Anna Baltzer’s presentation “Life in Occupied Palestine: Eye Witness Stories and Photos” provides an introduction to everyday life and the nonviolent movement for freedom and equality in the occupied territories. Through personal stories, Anna describes the human rights abuses Palestinians face…
Democracy Promotion in an Authoritarian Zone: The case of the Middle East
Lecture
Considerable controversy swirls around the Western policy of exporting democracy to the Middle East. While it has long informed the foreign policy of Britain, the European Union and individual Scandinavian countries, the United States has seemingly reversed policy as President Obama has sought to…
Scenes from the sandy knoll
Lecture
Conspiracy theories are common in the Middle East, and cover a range of topics from US policy to 9/11, Israel’s Mossad and even the death of Princess Diana. Foreign powers, local leaders, and societal actors all feature in them. Where do these conspiracy theories come from, and what do they…
Afghanistan at the brink?
Lecture
Afghanistan is in a state of crisis. The same applies to the current US-led population-centric counter-insurgency strategy in dealing with this crisis. Despite the sacrifices made by the Afghan people and the US forces and those of its NATO and non-NATO allies, and despite billions of dollars…
America, Islam and the “Ground Zero Mosque”
Lecture
THE CENTRE FOR ARAB & ISLAMIC STUDIES (THE MIDDLE EAST & CENTRAL ASIA) in conjunction with THE UNITED STATES STUDIES CENTRE present Professor Jack Miles. Jack Miles is Distinguished Professor of English and Religious Studies with the University of California at Irvine and Senior Fellow for…