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On the New Arab Wars: Uprisings and Anarchy in the Middle East.

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, titled On the New Arab Wars: Uprisings and Anarchy in the Middle East. Experts took a close look at the  Middle East and the way in has evolved after 2011,  and whether it is a failure or not because of the lack of stability in the region.  The current policy in place is a gamble to work with the region the way it is until it stabilizes which experts believes will not work. Experts mentioned that the current administration failed at making it a priority to do more in preventing conflicts in the region. Experts examined which is the best way forward in certain parts of the Middle East, is it best to build a sound constitution first or support elections. Experts believe that long-term low prices in the oil market will affect the economy deeply in the region and cause a rippling effect over time.

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Higher education in Syria: Protecting academia amid civil war

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by Brookings Institution titled Higher education in Syria: Protecting academia amid civil war. Experts began to explore the frequently overlooked impact of the Syrian crisis, and the broader political and security implications on higher education in conflict settings. Experts also spoke of the many challenges for teachers, professors and educators working in the numerous camps in an attempt to provide quality sustainable education, while the teachers are  constantly working elongated hours and double shifts due to camps containing refugees from different parts of the Middle East. Experts also evaluated who would be the right entity to connect the dots within that region that is capable of bringing together the many education organizations. Experts also provided data on the higher education students (public and private universities, open education, and virtual university) in the Middle East in the last five years. Experts also mentioned that although there are small programs put in place and located in the camps one must keep in mind that about two million children are not in school due to the armed conflict and crisis.

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Transforming U.S. Policy for a New Middle East

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event Hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, titled Transforming U.S. Policy for a New Middle East. Experts addressed policy implications for the United States’ and the many recent militaries and diplomatic trials in the Middle East. An expert panel took an in-depth look at the complex consequences of U.S. policy in light of the Arab Spring. There was a high importance placed on the various aspects of  working with partners in the region and the best way forward. Experts quoted an excerpt from the Holy Quran Chapter 2, titled Baqarah , Verse: 256, where it states “Let there be no compulsion in religion:”, and added  that the Takfiris and terror groups have gone against this exact excerpt of the Holy Quran. Experts went on to note that the Middle East has been in turmoil and crisis for the last fifty years and that the security council has the responsibility to accurately define terrorism and  criminalize it. Experts expressed that congress’s hands are tied due to the gridlock in the nature of U.S. politics. Experts went  further to examine when ISIS is finally defeated how do you fill the political vacuum that’s created, does the U.S. step up and help rebuild the countries while they are  currently  invested in multiple countries in the Middle East or not.

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Minding the Gap: African Conflict Management in a Time of Change

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by the Elliott School of International Affairs titled Minding the Gap: African Conflict Management in a Time of Change. Experts initially intended to articulate on “the prevailing narrative,  that  Africa is awash with violent conflict, the number of cases of successful conflict management and resolutions and what accounted for the successes and failures”. But more focus went toward the failures from many involved in the peacekeeping process. Many aspects of the process were explained from how the rejectors on the continent who belong to terror groups don’t respect any aspect of the laws of war and break them continuously. Experts mentioned The mandate in The United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Principles and Guideline, addressing the Security Council resolution 1674 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict;4. Experts mentioned that this protection is viewed differently, by various organizations and that it was not clarified what the word protection really meant in this peacekeeping process. Some hold the opinion on Capitol Hill that too much funding is allocated towards the peace  process which the expert disagreed that not enough is dedicated to quality medical treatment, reliable transportation, and many more necessities needed that has been voiced by those directly involved. Important points were raised as to who should be the mediators in the peace process the elders or a trained graduate in the field of conflict resolution.  

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How America Can Work With The Global Muslim Community To Combat Extremism

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by The Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University and The Alliance for Practical Policy Solutions, titled, How America Can Work With The Global Muslim Community To Combat Extremism.  A panel of experts sought to explain various aspects of the acceptance and rejections to programs that are offered to the Muslim communities that are allegedly put in place for  the overall safety every American citizen regardless of their religious practices. Experts made important points that racial attacks in America far exceed the threats of any domestic extremist who become radicalized by false erroneous interpretations of the Islamic faith.

While so little  attention is paid to the large vast majority of Muslims who share the same values of peace and brotherly love as any other average citizen living in the U.S.Experts explained  that the conversation of combating extremism can not take place while leaving out the effects of foreign policy, in which countries are engaged in selling arms to allies who use those weapons to commit human rights violations against different sects of the Islamic faith.  Overall experts agreed that precaution has to be taken in terms of programs such as CVE (Countering Violent Extremism), because of the ramifications it can have on the Muslim community, for example, community surveillance and the  violation of freedom of speech that is protected by the first amendment.

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“The Transition to Democracy in Southeast Asia”

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by the United States Institute of Peace, titled Supporting Burma’s Transition to Democracy. A panel of experts began to recount the times spent and the work that took place in Southeast Asia, and what it took to regain and continue the momentum of trust.  Experts further explained that the initial goals were to establish national reconciliation, focus on human rights, economic building, health, and education. Experts mentioned the importance of Strategic development, working with the right set of people, tapping into to the right resources and structured coordination which was stated does not happen organically.  It was also mentioned that it came to a point where a dialogue had to take place with the people of Southeast Asia about the killing of religious minorities, and explained to them that it was counterproductive to the peace process and wrong. Experts further explained the details that took place in the 2014 election, how the international community stepped forward to reconstruct the elections through an election commission. The expert noted that overall the country is very informed of climate change and the impacts of it. Experts indicated that they saw congress as a necessary partner on various levels and that it was important that they moved together while the country underwent its transition.

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Arabia Incognita

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by the Institute for Policy Studies,  titled Arabia Incognita. An expert panel spoke on the west extensive involvement in the Middle East and where it’s headed. The Author presented  the  question as to where is  the responsibility of the International community on calling for a ceasefire by the Security Council in a recent war in that region. Experts stated that the west has supported countries in the middle east by equipping them with arms that are used to commit atrocities against humanity and are now heavily dependent on arms sells over oil. In the author’s opinion, sectarian violence in the region is the result of the violent attacks not the cause of it, in which many may respectfully disagree. The expert asserted that many preachers left to study in countries that are well known for its anti-Shia rhetoric and often commit violence against them, upon returning  from their studies they began propagating a message of division that leaned toward a Salafist Wahhabi set of beliefs. Overall  it was suggested that  this literary work is used to find the root of violence and track down the cause of war.

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How to Stop the Escalating Extremist Violence in South Asia

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by The Heritage Foundation titled How can Bangladesh Stop the Escalating Extremist Violence.  An expert panel discussed why the extremist in south Asia needs to be taken seriously. Experts analyzed proper steps needed to combat extremism and the challenges from the international community in preserving freedom of speech without innocent citizens living in fear of consequences from extremist. Experts added that what is imperative is to maintain the South Asian country as a model of development, moderate, tolerant and a country that embraces its diverse citizenry. Experts implied that there are different elements of competitions between terror groups who commit acts of violence.

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A Conversation with an Ambassador

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by The Deans forum, the Forum on Foreign Policy and global Security  and the Johns Hopkins University – The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). This event was titled A Conversation with Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh. Experts discussed the role of women living in the Middle East and placed an emphasis on the investment that should be taken in providing education options for them. Experts made further remarks on the extreme importance of its youth and contributing to the development of their future. Experts spoke of the many challenges of combating terror groups in that region due to their new style of recruiting through social media outlets and the digital territory that they occupy. Questions were asked about allegations of human right violations from areas in that region. Experts suggested that the U.N. serves as and umbrellas that many can turn to when there is a conflict to reach a resolution and that peace and security should be underpinned by a unique strategy. Experts also recommended  that preventative measures should be taken to bring down the chances of violence.

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Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by the Wilson Center titled Rwanda 22 Years Later: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, explained how the Country in east Africa coped after its genocide while carefully picking up its pieces. Experts also made mention that Rwanda is ranked number five in the world’s  U.N. peacekeeping mission . Many have raised concerns of the country’s role in the great lakes region, while experts stated the solution was to on one hand bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice, while dealing with reconciliation for individuals who went through it. The Choices that the government has made to move forward after the genocide are largely based on the way the people wanted to be lead. The East African country  underwent a period of mass migration with over three million people fleeing the country for safety. Policy had to be put in place so that Rwanda could have free flow of its people in and out of the country. Overall the country has come from “a near failed state”  to a point where it has provided its people  hope and opportunity on its road to build a new Rwanda.