This compilation provides a summary of SUSRIS articles, interviews, essays, items of interest and special reports distributed between October 1 and December 31, 2007.  You can find more news and resources in the weekly SUSRIS newsletters (link here).

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Visa Complications Force Saudi Students to Hold US Weddings
Dec 31, 2007

"..Omar Bafakeeh and Ala Aqeel, a Saudi couple, celebrated their marriage Saudi-style in Pittsburgh, US, on Dec. 21. They married in the States, not because they wanted to but because they had no other choice due to difficulties that Saudi students face acquiring US visas. Difficulties in obtaining US visas � including rejection of visa applications and unnecessary delays � mean many Saudi students, once they arrive in the US, do not return to the Kingdom until their studies are completed. This means staying in the US during holidays, and missing weddings and funerals.."

A Poem to Arab-American Relations
Dr. Abdelrahim Foukara
Dec 27, 2007

"..If Al-Nabigha Al-Dhibiani and Walt Whitman were here with us today, I would have asked them to compose a poem to Arab-American relations. For while the current state of those relations is far from poetic, I don�t see armies of American poets marching to the Arab world to show the bright side of Americanness. Nor do I see armies of Arab poets marching to America to show the bright side of Arabness. But if this magnificent gathering here is a beginning, I�ll take it.."

Saudi Forces Foil Al-Qaeda Terror Plot
Dec 22, 2007

"..Saudi security forces have arrested an Al-Qaeda-linked group of people planning to carry out terrorist attacks during the annual pilgrimage, Al-Arabiya satellite channel reported yesterday. Informed sources told the channel that the arrests took place in different cities of the Kingdom. �The group aimed to trouble the security of the pilgrimage,� which attracted nearly three million Muslim faithful from around the world this year, the television report said. Members of the group, whose number was unknown, were arrested �three days before the start of the Haj season�, or at the end of last week.."

President Bush to Visit Saudi Arabia
Dec 19, 2007

"..President Bush will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt from January 8-16, 2008.. ..This visit will follow up on the progress made at Annapolis in helping Israelis and Palestinians to advance their efforts toward peace and achievement of the President's vision of two democratic states living side-by-side in peace and security, as well as encourage Israeli/Arab reconciliation. The trip will also be an opportunity to reaffirm the enduring commitment of the United States to the security of our allies in the Middle East, especially with the Gulf nations, and our close work with them to combat terrorism and extremism, promote freedom, and seek peace and prosperity in the region.." 

Abdullah Pardons �Qatif Girl�
Dec 18, 2007

"..The pardon by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah of the 20-year-old rape victim known as �Qatif Girl� yesterday was well received by her husband who wanted to say nothing on the case except to thank the king. Meanwhile, human rights activists also welcomed the news but are calling for specific measures to avert sentencing rape victims in the first place.."

SUSRIS EXCLUSIVE

US-Saudi Relations: Never More Important
A Conversation with Ambassador Mark Johnson
Dec 17, 2007

"..My sense -- coming back to the Kingdom after a long absence � is that never has the bilateral relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia been more important. However, the paradox is that while it has never been more important there is, at least at the non-governmental level, a sense of disengagement. Now that�s not necessarily my judgment but it is the impression that we consistently received from our Saudi hosts from the very first meeting, �Where have you been?� We started off with a business group that hadn�t seen an American delegation for two years.."

The Hajj and Its Impact on Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World
David E. Long
Dec 16, 2007

"..Each year, 2 million Muslims perform the Hajj, or Great Pilgrimage to Makkah. One of the Five Pillars of Islam, the Hajj is required of all believers once in their lifetimes provided they are physically, mentally and financially able. For the duration of the Hajj and the traditional visit to al-Madinah afterward, the Saudi government must insure that the Hajjis are provided with adequate housing (mainly in tents), food, water, health and sanitation, ground transportation, and public safety and security. The government has spent billions of dollars on Hajj infrastructure from the two special Hajj air terminals which are the largest structures under a single roof in the world, to the extensive preventative and curative health and sanitation facilities at all the major Hajj locations. The Saudi government has also maintained a strict policy banning political activity so that militants do not desecrate this peaceful and joyous occasion. It is a task of almost unimaginable proportions.."

American Muslims Travel to
Mecca for Annual Pilgrimage
Dec 16, 2007

"Young American Muslims, many professionals in their 20s, are traveling to the Middle East to perform the Hajj, according to travel industry experts in the United States.. ..The Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, which all able Muslims are expected to perform at least once in their lifetime. Because the journey is expensive and the logistics can be complicated, traditionally many Muslims wait until they are married and their children are grown to perform the ritual.. ..For American Muslims, however, it makes sense to make the journey when they are still young because they have the economic means and flexibility that may be more difficult to muster as they become married and need to balance their professional and family lives.."

SUSRIS EXCLUSIVE 

The Hajj in Perspective:
A Conversation with David Long
Dec 16, 2007

"..The Hajj is one of the five pillars or the foundation of Islam and therefore it is the obligation of everyone who is physically and financially able to do so to make the Hajj once in their lifetimes. Pilgrimages to Makkah actually predate Islam, but the Hajj is considered by all Muslims to be divinely inspired by God as set down in the Qur'an and the Sunna. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the others being: the profession of faith - "there is no God but God and Mohammed is the messenger of God"; Zakat or charity; prayer five times a day, and fasting during Ramadan. The rites are based on the instructions Muhammad gave in his Farewell Hajj just before he died. They have remained virtually unchanged to this day.."

An American in Qatar: Observations on the 2007 GCC Summit
John Duke Anthony
Dec 11, 2007

"The government's budget for the 2008 fiscal year (31 Dec 2007-30 Dec 2008) was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on December 10. It maintains the focus on enhancing infrastructure and as usual is based on a prudent oil price assumption. For 2007, restrained spending growth and high oil revenues caused another large budget surplus and the economy performed strongly.." 

GCC Aims for Greater Integration - 28th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit - Doha
Dec 10, 2007

"GCC leaders began their annual summit here [Dec 3] to discuss ways of strengthening political, economic, security and defense cooperation and how to ward off mounting challenges facing their countries. 'Although the GCC has made several major achievements it is still below the expectation of people. So we have to double our efforts to satisfy those hopes and aspirations,' said Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar in his opening speech.."

Revisiting Arab-US Strategic Relations: Meeting the Global Energy Challenge
Mohammed Al Qahtani 
Dec 3, 2007

"Experts predict that global energy demand will grow by about 50 percent over the next 25 years. While there is no quick and easy way to meet this growing appetite for energy, I believe we can successfully address our global energy supply challenges through a four-point approach. First, add new production capacity and additional reserves to keep pace with the growing demand for oil. Second, build new refineries and reconfigure existing plans to process a wider range of crude grades. And third, increase energy conservation and improve efficiency. And fourth, invest in technology that will help us find and produce more energy, use it more efficiently, and reduce the environmental impact.." 

AMF Chief Urges GCC States to Drop Dollar Peg
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News 
Dec 1, 2007

"The pressure on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is growing to drop their pegs to the tumbling US dollar with the Dec. 3-4 GCC Summit expected to take a decision on the matter in order to stop soaring inflation in the region. The latest call for depegging from the dollar came from Jassem Al-Mannai, chairman of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), who urged the GCC states to lift their pegs to the dollar, saying revaluations would not solve the problem of rising inflation. Speaking at an economic seminar in Abu Dhabi, he advised the GCC that groups Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the UAE, to switch to a managed float or peg their currencies to a basket, including the euro, sterling and yen.."

Saudi-US Gathering in Abha Billed a Big Success
Hayat Al-Ghamdi, Arab News 
Nov 30, 2007

"A Saudi-American gathering tackling educational and economic issues ended in Abha yesterday. The Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the US Consulate in Jeddah jointly organized the gathering to celebrate over 60 years of good relations between the two countries.."

Revisiting Arab-US Strategic Relations: Security Cooperation in the Middle East - The Key to Long-term Stability
LtGen Martin E. Dempsey
Deputy Commander, US Central Command
Nov 28, 2007

"..But one of the key points here when we talk about security cooperation in the Middle East is, it is extraordinarily complex; it is extraordinarily diverse; it is not a matter of dealing with the region. It is a matter of dealing with subregions in countries. It is occurring at a time when we are making fundamental shifts away from a focus on conventional forces and conventional conflicts to issues like counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and asymmetric warfare, where not only the United States, but its friends and allies, have to make major changes in the way they organize and plan their security forces.." - Anthony Cordesman

We Want the Palestinians to Live Better: Saud Al-Faisal
Tim Kennedy, Arab News
Nov 28, 2007

"..We are looking for a commitment from the United States that it will do everything that can be done to get the parties to discuss the final status of Palestine. In the past, Israel has used the issue of security as an excuse for not being fully engaged in the peace process. Lately, however, we have not heard much about the security issue from the Israelis. This may be one reason why so many Arab leaders were willing to travel to Annapolis to attend this conference. We are fully committed to the peace process, and we hope that all parties in these negotiations are equally committed to a future of peace.." - Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal

What the Saudis Want From Annapolis
Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal
Nov 27, 2007

"Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal tells TIME magazine that he is optimistic about this week�s Middle East peace conference in Annapolis because of what he calls US determination 'to see this through.' Continuous US mediation in post-conference negotiations, including pressure on Israel, he says, 'can turn things around' and lead to a comprehensive settlement before US President George W. Bush�s term expires in 13 months.."

Revisiting Arab-US Strategic Relations: Security Cooperation in the Middle East 
Anthony Cordesman
Nov 27, 2007

"..But one of the key points here when we talk about security cooperation in the Middle East is, it is extraordinarily complex; it is extraordinarily diverse; it is not a matter of dealing with the region. It is a matter of dealing with subregions in countries. It is occurring at a time when we are making fundamental shifts away from a focus on conventional forces and conventional conflicts to issues like counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and asymmetric warfare, where not only the United States, but its friends and allies, have to make major changes in the way they organize and plan their security forces.." - Anthony Cordesman

Impressions of Arabia, Autumn 2007
Chas W. Freeman, Jr.
Nov 26, 2007

"Two weeks in Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula left me impressed by the extent to which Arab estrangement from the United States and Americans appears to be settling into a new phase: resignation and lowered expectations. The mood among Arab elites since 9/11 has progressed from shock at the event, through distress at rejection by their former American friends, through desultory efforts to test the possibility of renewed friendship, into fatalistic acceptance that the mutual confidence and regard that have been lost will not be restored.."

A New Era for GCC-Russia Relations
Dr. Marat Terterov
Nov 24, 2007

"Russia�s Middle Eastern strategy appears to be going from strength to strength. While the US continues to be embroiled in the Iraqi insurgency, and the West�s standoff with Tehran over its alleged nuclear weapons program fuels tension across the Gulf, 2007 may go down as a landmark year for Moscow�s foreign policy making toward the region. Russian President Putin�s tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan in February 2007 -- the first such visit by a Russian or Soviet head of state -- has already set the stage for Moscow to strongly consolidate on its already vastly improving relations with the Gulf states.."

Saudi Arabian-Russian Relations:
Crown Prince Sultan in Moscow
Nov 24, 2007

"Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world�s largest oil producers and exporters, yesterday agreed to make joint efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East as well as to expand their cooperation in the energy sector. In a joint communiqu� issued at the conclusion of Crown Prince Sultan�s three-day official visit to Moscow, the two countries called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and enhancing facilities to provide assistance to the Palestinians.."

SUSRIS EXCLUSIVE 

Saudi Military Modernization
A Conversation with Anthony Cordesman
Nov 23, 2007

"The United States has to operate in the Gulf with Saudi Arabia in terms of airspace, force levels, and the capability to project air power -- the need for over flight, basing support. If there is any serious confrontation with Iran or any other power, U.S. and Saudi cooperation is absolutely critical. That cooperation is dependent on two things: first, the relationship at the military level between the United States and Saudi Arabia; and second, Saudi Arabia�s capability to operate with U.S. forces with the most modern and the most effective equipment for the mission. Saudi Arabia has long been involved in a process of military modernization. It has tried to develop a qualitative edge that could deter any attack from its northern Gulf neighbors.."

Saudi Arabia to go to Annapolis
Nov 23, 2007

"Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations decided to attend next week's U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace conference, but the Saudi foreign minister insisted he would not allow 'theatrics' like handshakes with Israeli officials, saying the gathering must make serious progress. Participation by Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal was a key goal of the United States to show strong Arab support for the conference in Annapolis, Maryland, which is to re-launch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks for the first time in seven years.."

A Slap in the Face of Justice
Lubna Hussain
Nov 21, 2007

"It is a tale that is more reminiscent of the cruel callous punishments meted out to women in medieval times. And yet sadly it is a case that is making headlines in the 21st century. For those of you who are not aware of the story, an 18-year-old girl from Qatif went to meet a man she had had a prior relationship with to reclaim photos that he threatened to blackmail her with. While they were standing outside a shopping mall, they were abducted at knifepoint. She was gang raped 14 times by seven men. The man accompanying her was also raped. In an extraordinary ruling, she was sentenced by the courts to 90 lashes for having been with a man who was not her male relative. When she appealed this verdict, expecting leniency under the extenuating circumstances, the court increased her sentence to 200 lashes and six months imprisonment. This increased sentence was delivered under the spurious pretext that the judiciary would not be �aggravated and influenced� through the media. Her lawyer has been suspended from the case, has had his license confiscated and is now being threatened with disciplinary action.."

SUSRIS EXCLUSIVE 

Focus on the Saudi-US Relationship
A Conversation with Robert Jordan
Nov 19, 2007

"In the two or three years following 9-11 we went through a lot of difficulties recalibrating the relationship. I think a lot of those difficulties have now been resolved. We now have a strategic dialogue. We have regular meetings, not simply the Secretary of State-Foreign Minister level but also working groups at lower levels that are continuing to focus on the relationship. It struck me during my time as Ambassador, that we would parachute in Cabinet Members, and Senators and others and ask the Saudis to help us do X, Y or Z, but we rarely focused on the relationship -- and I made that sentiment known. I am pleased to see that there is now a conscious effort to actually focus on the relationship, what we expect of each other. That is very positive and I think we are seeing some evidence of that now.." - Robert Jordan

Rape Victim�s Lawyer Refuses to Give In
Ebtihal Mubarak, Arab News
Nov 19, 2007

"The lawyer representing a Saudi rape victim in Qatif has criticized the second ruling issued by the Kingdom�s Higher Court of Justice doubling the woman�s punishment to 200 lashes and six months in jail, saying that the ruling 'sums up the major problems that the Saudi judiciary faces. Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem, 36, also criticized the General Court in Qatif for confiscating his license to practice law. On Wednesday the Qatif General Court announced the Higher Court of Justice�s verdict. Al-Lahem had previously asked the Ministry of Justice and the Human Rights Commission to review the first ruling issued by the General Court in Qatif, which had ordered the rape victim be given 90 lashes.." 

The Riyadh Declaration
Opec's 3rd Summit
Nov 18, 2007

"The Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of OPEC Member Countries concluded [November 18] in Riyadh issuing a call to the international community to protect the stability of global energy markets, reaffirming the need to use energy for sustainable development and emphasizing the importance of protecting environment. The third summit in the organization's history underlined the interrelationship between security of supply and the security of demand, and reiterated their commitment to ensure adequate supply of oil to maintain stability in global energy market and achieve economic prosperity.."

King Abdullah Chairs OPEC Summit
Nov 17, 2007

"Presided over by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Third Summit Meeting of the leaders and representatives of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member states began its deliberations at King Abdulaziz International Center for Conferences in Riyadh tonight [Nov. 17]. Saudi delegation to the summit was headed by Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.."  

Global Oil Market Needs Fundamental Reforms
Giacomo Luciani
Nov 16, 2007

"OPEC heads of state gather in Riyadh today for the third summit meeting of the organization, at a time when oil prices are close to the psychologically important threshold of $100 per barrel. The summit is a political, not a technical meeting � and as such is unlikely to make specific decisions on prices or production � but a strategic statement on oil markets and prices seems a certainty. OPEC heads of state are likely to disagree on the desirable level of prices. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are of the opinion that the present level is too high, but other member countries with less abundant reserves might be quite happy with current circumstances."

OPEC's Third Summit: "Providing Petroleum, Promoting Prosperity and Protecting the Planet"
Nov 15, 2007

"The holding of the Third OPEC Summit of Heads of State this month is the latest reminder of the Organization�s abiding commitment to its longstanding objectives, as well as its readiness to recognize the new challenges facing the oil market and to respond accordingly. Not only are the challenges increasing in number, they are also growing in complexity. It is no longer simply a case of representing the interests of Member Countries in the oil industry and seeking means of achieving market order and stability, as was the situation at the birth of the Organization in Baghdad in September 1960."

Assessing Saudi Power
Nawaf Obaid
Nov 14, 2007

"Saudi Arabia celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding [in September], a milestone that provides an opportunity for assessing the kingdom's standing in the international arena. The leadership of King Abdullah, along with the windfall of vast oil revenues, has brought Saudi Arabia unprecedented influence and made it the key power broker in the region. King Abdullah's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan is still the most viable; and the successful � if ultimately short-lived � brokering of the Hamas-Fatah unity government shows that the kingdom has the ability to do what no other power can. Saudi Arabia has invested billions into the rebuilding of Lebanon and remains a key supporter of the Siniora government. Also, it has taken the lead in organizing an Arab and Muslim response to help end fighting in the Sudan and Somalia. Finally, the kingdom quietly diffused a potentially explosive situation in Pakistan [September 10] by arranging for the return of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Jeddah. These signs all point to the fact that the kingdom has become the de facto leader of the Muslim world.."

King Abdullah Concludes Turkey State Visit
Talks in Cairo Last Leg in Diplomatic Tour
Nov 11, 2007

"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday concluded his landmark visit to Turkey which opened a new era in political, economic and security relations between the two Islamic countries. The king later arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. During their talks, Abdullah and Mubarak called for a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue and the setting up of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the Arab peace initiative and UN resolutions. The two leaders also discussed the situation in Iraq and Lebanon. King Abdullah briefed Mubarak on his European tour, which had taken him to Britain, Italy, Germany and Turkey.."

King Abdullah Begins Turkey Visit
Nov 10, 2007

"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrived here yesterday on the last leg of a four-nation European tour for talks with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Iraq, Middle East peace and expanding trade ties.. ..King Abdullah and President Gul later held a first round of talks on major regional and global issues, including the situation in Iraq, the Palestinian issue, the Middle East peace process and Lebanon.."

King Abdullah Germany Visit Wrap Up
Nov 9, 2007

"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday called on Iran to avoid escalating its standoff with the West over its nuclear program and called for a solution that would allow Tehran to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes. �It is our strong desire that the Middle East should be free from weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons. The world fears that Iran�s nuclear program would lead to it developing nuclear weapons,� King Abdullah said in an interview.."

Saudi-German Relations: King Abdullah Interviewed in Germany
Nov 8, 2007

"The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has given a wide-ranging interview to the German newspaper "Frankfurter Allgemeine" dealing with Saudi-German relations, the international situation in the globalization era, the Middle East peace conference, the Saudi Arabia's efforts at the regional and international levels, international issues led by the situation in the Middle East region and Saudi Arabia's role at various levels.."

King Abdullah On Germany Visit
Nov 8, 2007

"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday began a landmark state visit to Germany where Chancellor Angela Merkel offered her country�s full support to the king�s peace initiatives to resolve global conflicts. �We know that you have dedicated your efforts to settle conflicts through peaceful means. We�ll cooperate with you in this area to solve all problems peacefully. This applies not only to your region but the whole world,� Merkel told the king.."

King Abdullah and Pope Benedict Meet at the Vatican
Nov 6, 2007

"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah held a historic meeting yesterday with Pope Benedict XVI and called for dialogue between Muslims, Christians and Jews in order to promote peace, justice and moral values. The warmth exuded by the two leaders on a chilly morning set the tone for the day. Greeting the king with a smile, the pope was effusive and eloquent in his actions as he warmly welcomed the Saudi monarch. The two leaders clasped hands on meeting and smiled before embarking on their historic talks.."

King Abdullah Completes British Visit
Nov 3, 2007

"A quick glance at the editorials in the UK would reveal a sense of discomfort in the British media by the visit of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to the country. The negative sentiment in the British press was clear enough for all to see. I presume that the King himself must have realised some Britons weren't as hospitable when he looked through the window of the gilded horse-drawn state couch he was riding, and spotted dozens of protestors.. ..But what is ironic is the contrast between the critical protests and media coverage and the lavish official reception he had.."

SUSRIS EXCLUSIVE

Understanding Developments in Saudi Arabia
Thomas Lippman Talks with Nashville Public Radio
Nov 2, 2007

"..Within Saudi Arabia itself society is changing. Things are happening around the edges. They don�t affect the basic institutions of power. But people, mostly women -- half the graduates coming out of Saudi universities now are female. If you have been going there as long as I have, I first went there more than 30 years ago, you can see the pressure coming from this new generation of educated Saudi women to do things a little differently in Saudi society; to provide more economic and social and, eventually, even political opportunities for them.." 

King Abdullah Begins Historic UK Visit
Oct 31, 2007

"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah received a red carpet welcome from Queen Elizabeth II yesterday as he began a state visit to the UK, the first by a Saudi king in 20 years. The queen, alongside her husband Prince Philip and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, formally welcomed King Abdullah at Horse Guards Parade in central London, where he inspected a guard of honor.. ..After a day of ceremony, King Abdullah will meet Prime Minister Brown today to discuss counterterrorism, Iran, the Middle East peace process, Iraq and Lebanon, sources told Arab News. A spokeswoman for Brown�s Downing Street office said Monday that the prime minister would �raise issues he believes to be appropriate� with the king.."

SUSRIS EXCLUSIVE

16th Annual Arab-US Policymakers Conference
Audio Recordings Online
Oct 27, 2007

"The 16th Annual Arab US-Policymakers Conference closed [Oct 26] following two days of insightful presentations and speeches fitting to the topic: Revisiting Arab-U.S. Strategic Relations: Geo-Political, Energy, Defense Cooperation, and Developmental Dynamics.  SUSRIS is pleased to offer an index of audio recordings for AUSPC 2007 sessions that may be of interest to SUSRIS readers. These links will take you to the SUSRIS web site where you can access audio files from many of the presentations. As transcripts become available they will be posted, with some distributed as SUSRIS "Items of Interest." Check the SUSRIS articles index in the coming days, or keep an eye open for SUSRIS e-newsletters arriving at your inbox."

An "Open Letter" from a Saudi Businessman - Revisited
A Conversation with Amr Khashoggi
Oct 24, 2007

"In February 2001 a group of visiting Americans heard the future King of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Abdullah, say, "We have a saying in Arabic that 'A friend is someone who will be straightforward with you.'" It cleared the air for the frank discussion that followed, of the challenges that confronted the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.  Last year an "Open Letter" from Saudi businessman Amr Khashoggi was similarly frank, sincere and straightforward. It was a letter from the heart to friends. SUSRIS shared his letter with you for your consideration and now has asked Mr. Khashoggi to update his message. In this SUSRIS interview he gives his perspective on what has changed since he penned his "open letter" and describes his views on what remains to be done."

"Home: The Aramco Brats' Story"
Houston Premier
Oct 22, 2007

"The feature length documentary "HOME - Aramco Brats' Story" will make its Houston, Texas premier at the River Oaks Theatre on October 24, 2007. The film shows life in Saudi Arabia 'as seen through the eyes of the Western expatriate children who grew up there between 1933 and present day. Aramco Brats were the children of expatriate workers who were employed by Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company) and who spent their childhoods within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.'  SUSRIS is pleased to bring you information about the Houston showing, a synopsis of the film and reviews, and a discussion of the film's significance by Michael Saba, Executive Director, Friends of Saudi Arabia.."

First Lady to Visit Saudi Arabia on Mideast Public Diplomacy Travels
Oct 21, 2007

"Laura Bush will visit Saudi Arabia during a four-nation trip to the Middle East to promote the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. The public diplomacy mission includes a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah. White House officials said the visit was not linked to the effort to convene a Middle East peace conference next month, but acknowledged that Mrs. Bush's trip was a diplomatic effort and as such the timing was "probably very good." This SUSRIS IOI provides the White House press briefing on details of the visit and links to related information and articles.."

"A Common Word between Us and You"
Muslims Call for Interfaith Peace
Oct 18, 2007

"On October 13th 2006, one month to the day after Pope Benedict XVI�s Regensburg address of September 13th 2006, 38 Islamic authorities and scholars from around the world, representing all denominations and schools of thought, joined together to deliver an answer to the Pope in the spirit of open intellectual exchange and mutual understanding. In their "Open Letter to the Pope" (Link Below), for the first time in recent history, Muslim scholars from every branch of Islam spoke with one voice about the true teachings of Islam.. ..Now, exactly one year after that letter, Muslims have expanded their message. In "A Common Word Between Us and You," 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals have unanimously come together for the first time since the days of the Prophet to declare the common ground between Christianity and Islam. Like the Open Letter, the signatories to this message come from every denomination and school of thought in Islam. Every major Islamic country or region in the world is represented in this message, which is addressed to the leaders of all the world�s churches, and indeed to all Christians everywhere.."

U.S. House Passes Historic Ramadan Resolution
Oct 17, 2007

"A resolution recognizing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and expressing the "deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world" was adopted in the U.S. House of Representatives October 2 by a vote of 376-0. The resolution acknowledging the importance of Muslims in America, the first of its kind, was introduced by Texas Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson and co-sponsored by 30 legislators, including Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota. Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress. "It�s a sign of respect and recognition. It�s a very American thing to do. We are a nation of religious tolerance and religious inclusion.."

Why food prices have risen in Saudi Arabia
Brad Bourland
Oct 11, 2007

"Food prices have risen rapidly in recent years. Every household has been affected by higher food prices, which are the most visible, and for most people, the main source of inflation in Saudi Arabia. Higher global commodity prices are the main reason for the rise in food prices. Structural shifts in patterns of consumption and use of agricultural products have been aggravated by temporary factors such as poor weather conditions to push up food prices throughout the world. Over time, supply will catch up with demand and agricultural commodity prices will fall, but over the next few years annual food price inflation is expected to average around 5 percent. With agricultural commodity prices rising and food price inflation in Saudi Arabia in line with other countries in the GCC and not much above that in the US and UK, we see little evidence that local retailers have been a major cause of the price rises. However, there appears more justification in claims that prices are raised unnecessarily during Ramadan. Other local factors, including a cut in agricultural subsidies, higher fertilizer prices and cold winters, have contributed to increased food prices, but it is the following international factors that are the main reason for higher food prices:.."

Saudi Arabian Students in America:
A Role for Community Colleges?
Oct 10, 2007

"I enjoyed reading the recent interview, "Saudi Arabian Students in America: A Conversation with Thomas Lippman," about the increasing number of students from Saudi Arabia pursuing higher education degrees in the USA. I worked in Saudi Arabia for nine years in a program that prepared Saudi Arab students for admission to American bachelor�s degree programs. Now, as a community college educator, I am very interested in seeing Saudi Arab students continue their education in American institutions of higher education. When the government of Saudi Arabia launched the very generous and high profile scholarship program a few years ago, I discovered that the participating students have to attend one of the institutions on a list of colleges and universities approved by Saudi Arabia�s Ministry of Education. Apparently there are very few community colleges on that list.." 

Reform Set to Revolutionize Justice System
P.K. Abdul Ghafour
Oct 5, 2007

"The judiciary is the gateway to reform and its development is crucial, especially since Saudi is fast progressing towards the future," writes Asharq Al-Awsat Editor-in-Chief Tariq Alhomayed. "Saudi�s reality today presents a historic opportunity to advance into a new a stage of reform and development in various fields, which would open up new prospects for Saudi Arabia and its sons � one of the most important being education. Education and the judiciary are like twins; alike and inextricably linked."

SUSRIS EXCLUSIVE

American Influence on Modern Saudi Arabia
Thomas Lippman at the Cookeville, Tennessee Rotary Club
Oct 1, 2007

"..I thought what I would do today is take a look at the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia which is a country that we have had a very long intimate relationship and alliance with but about which people really know very little. And I might say that I first went to Saudi Arabia in the mid 1970s. I have been there many, many times so I know a lot more about Saudi Arabia than most Americans but very little because it�s a really difficult society to penetrate.. ..In a lot of ways the Saudi Arabia of today is the Saudi Arabia we made.."