The Gulf Cooperation Council at age 31

In the past half century, no Arab sub-regional inter-state organization has been as successful as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), established in May 1981. How have the GCC and its six member-countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) achieved what they have accomplished? What explains the GCC's unprecedented level of activism in affairs beyond Arabia and the Gulf in the past year? In the period ahead, what are the members' positions, roles, capacities, and key foreign policy objectives likely to be? What are likely to be their needs, concerns, and interests towards -- Becoming a closer political union? Maintaining regional peace? Improving relations with Iran? Enhancing ties with Iraq? Strengthening security? Sustaining stability? Admitting additional members? Accommodating its youths' demands? Meeting its own as well as global energy requirements? Continuing the momentum of its modernization and development goals? Aiding the world's economic growth and financial well-being? Come to hear and discuss some of the answers at:  The Gulf Cooperation Council at 31: Implications of Trends and Indications for GCC and US Interests  Presented by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the U.S.-GCC Corporate Cooperation Committee, in Association with the The Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center Thursday, May 24, 2012  9:00 - 9:30 a.m. - Coffee & Tea 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Remarks and Questions  The Horizon Ballroom Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20004A government-issued, photo identification is necessary to enter the Ronald Reagan Building. Participating specialists include:  Dr. Odeh Aburdene Participant, international economic, business, and investment forums in Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia  Dr. John Duke Anthony Member, U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy and its Subcommittee on Sanctions [ www.ncusar.org]  Ms. Randa Fahmy Hudome former U.S. Department of Energy Associate Deputy Secretary [ www.fahmyhudome.com]  Mr. Andrew Rabens U.S. Department of State Bureau of Near East Affairs [ www.state.gov/p/nea/] Mr. Robert Sharp U.S. Department of Defense Near East and South Asia Center for Strategic Studies [ www.nesa-center.org]  Ms. Molly Williamson former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Defense, former Acting Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of State, and former Senior Foreign Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy [ www.ncusar.org]  Mr. Joshua Yaphe U.S. Department of State Bureau of Intelligence and Research [ www.state.gov/s/inr/]  R.S.V.P. (Acceptances Only) via email to RSVP@ncusar.org Please note: seating capacity is limited.