The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations hosts the second day of its 21st Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference.
U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia James Smith make remarks. He discusses how the Saudis viewed the “Arab Spring,” the status of the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia during an electoral season and how Saudi Arabia might cope with unemployment among its well-educated young population.
Arab League Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Mohammed Alhussaini Alsharif also speaks about the organization’s “revitalization.” As the former Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Turkey he may also offer insight on the situation in Syria.
Ambassador of Egypt to the U.S. Mohamed M. Tawfik provides the keynote lunch address on Egyptian-U.S. relations. He was recently appointed by President Morsi and is expected to bring a message to Americans from the new Egyptian regime.
U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary of Economic and Business Affairs Jose W. Fernandez then talks about how the U.S. can support new regimes and longtime allies though business relationships, drawing on his recent travels in the Middle East.
The conference also features panel discussions on the Israel-Palestine situation, issues on the Arabian Peninsula, the intentions of the Iranian regime and views from the Arab media.