NEWS
May 16, 2013
David Hamburg on Giving Peace a Chance
By James F. Smith, Communications Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
When Dr. David A. Hamburg led the Carnegie Corporation of New York in the 1980s and ‘90s, he drew on his roots as a physician to foster projects and research that advanced a simply stated goal: “the prevention of rotten outcomes.”
Now in his late 80s, Hamburg is still putting his medical instincts to work. He is discovering new ways to use early-prevention methods to avoid deadly conflict and enable healthy human development.
Hamburg spoke at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs on May 3 about his new book, Give Peace a Chance. His son and co-author, filmmaker Eric Hamburg, joined him at the event, along with two Harvard friends, Law School Dean Martha Minow and Belfer Center Director Graham Allison.
May 13, 2013
Podcast: Syria's "Endless" Nightmare: Humanitarian and Political Consequences
On Monday, May 6, the Middle East Initiative hosted a panel discussion addressing the most pressing concerns in the deepening, unabated Syrian crisis that has plagued the country since March of 2011. Moderated by Hilary Rantisi, Director of the Middle East Initiative, the panelists addressed the political, economic and humanitarian consequences of the violence in Syria, as well as the responses and responsibilities of the global community.
Photo Credit: Ellis Goldberg
May 7, 2013
Ellis Goldberg: "Sectarian Violence: The Third Rail of Egyptian Politics" Podcast
The Middle East Initiative hosted Professor Ellis Goldberg for a lecture on May 1, 2013 to discuss sectarian violence in Egypt. Professor Goldberg is currently the Kuwait Foundation Visiting Scholar at the Middle East Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School, and is a professor of political science at the University of Washington.
April 23, 2013
Ashton Carter at JFK Jr. Forum: Turning a Strategic Corner
By Ashton B. Carter, Former Co-Director, Preventive Defense Project, Harvard & Stanford Universities
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter joined moderator Graham Allison, Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, on April 23, 2013, at a John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum for a discussion on the strategic and budgetary transitions currently underway in the Department of Defense. Topics addressed included the importance of protecting investments in the future of U.S. national security and the current rebalance to the Pacific. Questions from the audience addressed subjects ranging from potential furloughs due to budget cuts to the thirtieth anniversary of President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative.
View the entire JFK Jr. event here on the Institute of Politics website.
Attached is the transcript of Carter's remarks, as prepared for delivery.
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May 23, 2013
Stephen Walt on the Escalating Crisis in Syria
Earlier this month, Professor Stephen Walt shared his perspectives with the Harvard Kennedy School communications office on the deepening Syrian conflict. He discussed the role of the United States in the conflict, Assad's supporters, aid from the international community and more.
April 30, 2013
Obama’s Dilemma: The Keystone XL Pipeline Decision
By Zahra Hirji
David Keith, Michael Levi, and Elana Schor discussed how the media influence public debate on the Keystone XL decision during a special seminar sponsored by the Environment and Natural Resources Program.
April 30, 2013
Energy and the Arab Awakening: A View from Riyadh
The Middle East Initiative and Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs hosted distinguished scholars and energy experts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a panel discussion on Thursday, April 25. The panelists included Dr. Mohammed Al Sabban, Professor, King Abdulaziz University, former advisor to Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Mr. Ali Al Shihabi, Founder, Rasmala Investment Bank; and Mr. Abdulaziz al Fahad, Principal of Abdulaziz al Fahad Law Firm.
April 29, 2013
Prince Turki on Saudi Arabia's Role after Arab Awakening
In a speech for the Belfer Center’s Middle East Initiative, Prince Turki al Faisal laid out Saudi Arabia’s two–pronged security strategy as the Gulf kingdom contends with the fallout from the 2011 Arab uprisings and fast-changing global energy trends. Prince Turki, who directed the Saudi intelligence service for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland, and then to the United States, said Saudi foreign policy doctrine is based on two themes: external security and energy security.
The full text as prepared for delivery is attached (pdf).
April 18, 2013
Reza Aslan: "The Next War? Iran, Israel and the U.S. at the Crossroads" Podcast
An audio recording of a conversation with Reza Aslan, internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions and founder of AslanMedia.com, on April 4, 2013. This event will be moderated by Tarek Masoud, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School.
April 18, 2013
Rashid Khalidi: "Brokers of Deceit" Podcast
An audio recording of a talk by Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University, on his new book, Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Has Undermined Peace in the Middle East, at MEI on April 10, 2013.
