April 9, 2009

MEDIA CONTACTS: Menachem Wecker
202-994-8025; mwecker@gwu.edu 
Nick Massella
202-994-3087; massella@gwu.edu

GW PROFESSOR GNEHM TO EXAMINE THE NEW BALANCES OF POWER IN THE GULF STATE AT ANNUAL KUWAIT CHAIR LECTURE
APRIL 14, 2009

EVENT:  

With the fall of Saddam Hussein and Iraq's emergence as a regional actor with new perspectives, the states of the Gulf are searching for a new balance of power and influence. Ambassador Edward W. "Skip" Gnehm Jr., Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs and director of The George Washington University's Middle East Policy Forum, will examine the issues and the factors impacting current regional dynamics, as well as the key actors themselves. Amb. Gnehm's annual Kuwait Chair Lecture will also ask what this search for a new balance means for U.S. interests and President Obama's initiatives in the region.

WHEN: 

Tuesday, April 14, 2009; 6 - 7:30pm

WHERE: 

The George Washington University
The Elliott School of International Affairs
Harry Harding Auditorium, Room 213
1957 E St., NW, Washington, D.C.
Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro (Orange and Blue lines)

RSVP:

This event is free and open to the public and will be preceded by a reception in the second floor atrium from 5 - 6pm. To attend, RSVP to rsvpimes@gwu.edu. Media are welcome and should RSVP to Menachem Wecker at 202-994-8025 or mwecker@gwu.edu.

BACKGROUND:

Amb. Gnehm's distinguished 36-year career in the Foreign Service includes service as U.S. ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2001 - 2004), to Australia (2000 - 2001) and to Kuwait (1991 - 1994). He earned his bachelor's (1966) and master's (1968) degrees in international affairs from The George Washington University.

This event is sponsored by GW's Institute for Middle East Studies and its Middle East Policy Forum, which is presented with the generous support of ExxonMobil.

The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs is one of the world's leading schools of international affairs. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., its mission is to educate the next generation of international leaders, conduct research that advances understanding of important global issues and engage the policy community in the United States and around the world.

For a complete calendar of events at the Elliott School of International Affairs, visit www.elliott.gwu.edu.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit www.gwnewscenter.org.

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