Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR, Washington DC

October 28, 2019

Public Discussion: Saudi Arabia’s Unpredictable Future

Thursday, October 31, 10a.m. to 12:30p.m. (lunch will be served)

1666 K St NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20006 

 Contact: ali@PROTECTED--- rsvp@PROTECTED

Never in its history has the Saudi ruling family faced more domestic, regional and global challenges than it does currently: a non-winnable war in Yemen, the blockade of Qatar, a threatening confrontation with its formidable Iranian regional competitor, economic uncertainties, destabilizing palace turmoil, high unemployment among a burgeoning youth and an unpredictable American president the Saudis cannot manipulate or trust. 

Discussants: 

Ali Alyami: Opening remarks by the founder and director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, CDHR.

Jumana (Afaf) Rasheed Aljohni: The Cost of Saudi Guardianship System 

Jumana is a Saudi native and a fierce opponent of the Saudi institutionalized male guardian system (or “modern Slavery”). She has a master’s degree in Peace Interventions & Conflict Resolution from the Portland State University.

Dr. Abdullah Alaoudh: Religious Reform and Reformers in Saudi Arabia

Alaoudh is Senior Fellow at Georgetown University and part-time faculty at George Washington University. He is a Saudi native whose father Salman Aloudah could face the death penalty for promoting freedom of expression and constitutional monarchy. 

Jack Pearce: Saudi Arabia: adrift on a sea of oil. Where go the tides?

Jack Pearce is a former White House and Department of Justice counsel, energy sector observer and accomplished businessman.

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‘Saudi Arabia Finds Little Goodwill in the U.S’        

CDHR Commentary: Instead of empathizing with the Saudis after the shattering September 14 attack on Saudi oil facilities, most American news outlets expressed unfavorable opinions about the Saudi rulers and their policies. Headlines like “The End of Saudi Arabia’s Illusion,” “We’re Not the Saudis’ Mercenaries,” “Trump Should Not Go to War For Saudi Arabia's Mistakes,” and “Congress Is Helping Saudi Arabia Destabilize the Middle East” dominated U.S. newspapers. This did not come as a surprise to those who are focusing on Saudi Arabia, its domestic and foreign policies and its increasingly contentious relations with the U.S. Full analysis: www.cdhr.info

Causes and Consequences of Attacking Saudi Oil Facilities

CDHR Commentary: The costly attack on Saudi oil facilities on September 14, 2019, has been attributed to Iran by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Iran has vehemently denied it, but its Yemeni Houthi (Zaydis, offshoot of Shi’a Islam) clients claimed responsibility for carrying out the devastating misdeed and promised more attacks on Saudi Arabia. President Trump called the repressive Saudi de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and assured him of the U.S.’s commitment to ensure Saudi Arabia’s security. Mr. Trump “…also said he is waiting to hear from Saudi officials about  how to proceed ” after they investigate the source of the drones that inflicted substantial damage on their main source of income, the oil facilities. Full analysis: www.cdhr.info

Fallout of Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities  

CDHR Analysis: Unlike his predecessors, President Trump is in a sound position to resist demands to retaliate against Iran and/or its proxies for the devastating attacks on Saudi oil facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais on September 14, 2019. Full analysis: www.cdhr.info