JHU SAIS to Host Conference on Syria
The Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will co-host a daylong conference, "Syria: A Voice for the Future or a Voice of the Past?" on Monday, 09/29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During this conference, co-sponsored by the SAIS Middle East Studies Program and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, panelists will address such questions as: What is the real Syrian position on the war against terrorism? How much should we trust this commitment to reform? Is Syria moving towards a closer relationship with the West or is this merely the newest face of an old regime?
Marc Ginsberg, former U.S. ambassador to Morocco, will replace Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.) as the keynote speaker at 12:30 p.m. Ginsberg also served as a senior adviser to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and deputy senior adviser to President Jimmy Carter.Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.)
Conference agenda:
10 -11:45 a.m. Session 1: "Bashar Assad: A New Reform or an Old Voice?"
Robert G. Rabil, fellow at the World Lebanese Cultural Union
Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum
Nizar Nayouf, Syrian human rights activist and journalist
Farid Ghadry, co-founder of the Reform Party of Syria
Noon - 1:45 p.m. Lunch and keynote address by Ambassador Ginsberg
2 - 4 p.m. Session 2: Syria and Lebanon: Protector or Occupier?
Walid Phares, senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Joseph Gebeily, director of the Lebanese Information Center
Tony Haddad, director of the Lebanese American Council for Democracy
Marius Deeb, SAIS adjunct professor of Middle East Studies
The event, which is open to the public, will be held in Kenney Auditorium located on the first floor of the school's Nitze Building, 1740 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Members of the public should RSVP to [email protected] or 202.663.5635.
Media who want to cover this event should contact Felisa Neuringer Klubes in the
SAIS Public Affairs Office at 202.663.5626 or [email protected].