It ain’t over ‘til it’s over

What will the outcome of the Presidential election mean for US Middle East policy? If re-elected, will President Obama maintain similar policies or make significant adjustments? If Governor Romney is elected, what changes can we expect? Panelists will discuss the impact of the election on US policy in the region. "Where are We Headed? The U.S. and Middle East After Elections" The Palestine Center 2425 Virginia Ave, NW Washington, DC 20037 202.338.1290 Not in Washington? Watch it live here. Friday, 9 November 2012 Times may change/panels may be added 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Registration 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Welcome Remarks 9:15 - 11:00 a.m. Panel I - U.S. Policy After the Election: A Reason for Change? Hrair Balian Director of the Conflict Resolution Program, The Carter Center Mark Perry Independent Author Helena Cobban Independent Publisher and Journalist 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Coffee 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Panel II - Taking Stock in the Arab Uprisings: Where are we headed? Nathan Brown Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University Adel Iskandar Scholar of Media and Communications, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University Kristin Diwan Assistant Professor of Comparative and Regional Studies, School of International Service, American University 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Lunch 1:45 - 3:15 p.m. Panel III - Public Discourse on Palestine: Reasons for Optimism? Samer Badawi Communications Manager, Institute for Middle East Understanding Will Youmans Assistant Professor of Media, George Washington University 3:20 - 4:45 p.m. Panel IV - Palestinian Strategy: Reform, Representation, and a New Framework Noura Erakat Freedman Teaching Fellow, Temple Law School; and Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Badil Khaled Elgindy Fellow, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institute Leila Hilal Director, The New American Foundation Middle East Task Force

Dean Obeidallah for Vice President

Take a break from all of the political tension here in Washington with a campaign stop funnier than what we've seen so far in this election! Arab American Comedian Dean Obeidallah brings hilarious his show to Washington DC for 2 shows Sunday, October 21 at 6 and 8 PM Davis Performing Arts Center (Gonda Theater) on the Georgetown University campus You’ve seen Dean on US and international TV shows including Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" special, ABC's "The View," "Comics Unleashed," NBC's "Rock Center," MSNBC's "Up with Chris Hayes," Current TV's "The Young Turks," and weekly on CNN offering comedic commentary on political and topical issues. But wait, there’s more… Appearing in Washington with Dean are Said Durrah, Palestinian-Jordanian American from the Washington area. Remy Munasifi the Lebanese-Iraqi American “Remy” of “Go Remy.” The YouTube comedy star who has toured the US and made such famed comedy music videos as "Hey There Khalilah," "Saudis in Audis," and "“The Tabbouleh Song.” Tickets are only $25 and $15 for students with valid id. Click here

for tickets or call 202.687.ARTS. This show is going to sell out fast!

Arabian Sights Film Festival

Arabian Sights: October 25 - November 4, 2012 The 17th Annual Arabian Sights Film Festival returns to Washington with 10 new films from today's Arab world! All films will be screened with English subtitles. This year’s festival features a captivating selection of films from countries including Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and more. Guest film directors, American premieres, and post-screening receptions are among the items on the agenda. An Audience Award for favorite film will be presented. Loads of info is available is available here

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Arab American Candidates' Night

On Sunday, September 30, hundreds of Arab Americans enjoyed a wonderful evening of politics and good company at the 24th annual Arab American Candidates’ Night. Though it is a bipartisan event, the Democratic candidates gladly participated while the Republican candidates left us wondering if they care about our community. We were honored that Governor Tim Kaine, Representatives Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly and Democratic candidate Kristen Cabral spoke with guests. Though this was Ms. Cabral’s first election, the three incumbents have visited with us many times over the years. In addition to these Democratic candidates, Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran also addressed the audience. Media from around the world covered this event and many participants were interviewed. Here are a few photos from the Candidates’ Night.

Arab Youth: A Look at the Future

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 represent nearly one-fifth of the population of the Middle East and North Africa. This group has played a central role in shaking up the old order, and while so far they have not been able to shape the policies of the new regimes, it remains key to the outcome of transitions in the region. A Generation on the Move, a study cosponsored by The Issam Fares Institute at the American University in Beirut and UNICEF, offers important insights on the aspirations and problems of Arab youth. The study includes polling data that reveals further information about this demographic. Thursday, October 11 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace 1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington Speakers Rami George Khouri, an internationally syndicated political columnist and book author, is the first director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University in Beirut. He also serves as a nonresident senior fellow at the Kennedy School of Harvard University and the Dubai School of Government. Dalia Mogahed is senior analyst and executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. She is co-author with John L. Esposito of Who Speaks for Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think. She was selected as an advisor by President Barack Obama for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Vivian Mercedes Lopez is the regional advisor for Adolescent Development and Participation at the UNICEF Middle East and North Africa regional office. Prior to moving to Amman, Jordan, she served as the HIV/AIDS regional advisor for UNICEF in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2002 to 2009. She is currently a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Youth Unemployment. Moderator Marina Ottaway works on issues of political transformation in the Middle East and Gulf security. A long-time analyst of the formation and transformation of political systems, she has also written on political reconstruction in Iraq, the Balkans, and African countries. For more information please contact Tiffany Tupper at ttupper@ceip.org or 202.939.2212

Banquet in Honor of Journalist Helen Thomas

His Eminence Metropolitan Philip has bestowed the Antiochian Gold Medal upon renowned journalist Helen Thomas. For the occasion, a banquet will be held in her honor. Ss. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church Hall Potomac, Maryland Friday, October 12. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30. Proceeds from the dinner will go to the Antiochian Heritage Foundation in Helen Thomas' honor. For reservations please contact either the Law Offices of Albert Mokhiber at 703.391.9898 or Mona at Ss. Peter and Paul Church at 301.765.9188. Click here for more info.

Kennedy-King Dinner

The 8th Congressional District (Virginia) Democrats are hosting their annual Kennedy-King Dinner on Friday, October 12. Here's the details: http://www.va8thcddems.org/2012/09/18/kennedy-king-dinner-2012 The Arab American Democratic Caucus of Virginia is looking into getting a table so if you're interested, please contact Paul Noursi at paulnoursi@cox.net

New Brookings Reports on the Middle East

Brookings has a lot of new reports on the Middle East. I haven't read them - just got this today. Please post recommendations after you've read some of these.