The Gulf Research Center and the National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) held a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC entitled “What lies Ahead for America and the Gulf: Analyses and Prognosis.” GRC Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Senior Advisor and Head of the GRC Defense and Security Program Dr. Mustafa Alani, and Dr. Christian Koch, Director of the Gulf Research Center Foundation each gave short presentations on aspects on the US-Gulf relationship. The session was moderated by Dr. John Duke Anthony, President and CEO of NCUSAR. The speakers highlighted the deep unease about the loss of both credibility and capability of the United States in the Gulf region and argued that for a better and more comprehensive effort by the US to engage the GCC states at all different levels. What is clear so far is that while the Gulf is greatly concerned about current US policy, policy officials in Washington do not pay similar attention to what is happening in the strategic Gulf. As a result, there is a level of disconnect that is not in the interests of both sides. The meeting was attended by close to 100 people including members of Congress, congressional staff members, think tanks, the media and former government officials and diplomats. The video proceedings of the conference will be made available on the GRC website.
