Dialogue Series, Regional Studies
CIRS Hosts "Iran-GCC Dialogue"
On January 13, 2016, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS), Georgetown University in Qatar’s flagship research institution, recently hosted a roundtable on Iran-GCC Dialogue.
The day-long meeting brought together distinguished scholars and academics from Iran and neighboring countries to explore historical, religious, cultural, social, and political ties between Iran and the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The CIRS-led Iran-GCC dialogue included as many as twenty renowned scholars from Iran, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and a number of other Arab countries, with proceedings conducted in both Arabic and English. Presentation titles included “Common Historical Roots of Iran and the GCC,” “Iranian and Arab Cultural Relations,” “Cultural Commonalities of Iranian and Arab Women and Families,” “The Role of Religion and Culture in the Development of Relations,” and “The Role of Common Art and Literature between Iran and the GCC.”
Speaking on the role of academics in better informing regional leaders, Director of CIRS, Dr. Mehran Kamrava, said that “at a time of increasing tensions in the region, exploring areas of mutual interest and commonality between Iran and the GCC is of fundamental importance. There are numerous areas of overlap and common bonds between Iran and the states of the GCC. It is our hope that scholarly analysis and dialogue will enable policymakers to make better and more informed decisions.”
Kamrava added that “The work of CIRS “involves conducting globally recognized research on a broad range of important topics in the areas of international relations, political economy, and domestic politics of the Gulf. We routinely take the lead on identifying emerging socio-economic issues, and so we are particularly well placed to initiate and bring together the leading scholars who participated in this roundtable. Not only do we seek to create mutually beneficial links between various educational institutions, we also focus on providing further insights into current events by adding to the general body of knowledge about the region.”
A follow-up to the recent CIRS Iran-GCC dialogue is likely to be held in Tehran in a few months involving a greater number of regional academics and scholars.
In addition to sponsoring events such as the recent Iran-GCC dialogue, CIRS engages in in-depth research throughout the academic year, publishing their results in Occasional Papers, Summary Reports, and numerous books. Through its various publications, CIRS provides in-depth examination of ideas and issues of contemporary academic and political significance.
- See the meeting agenda
- Read participant biographies
- See Media Coverage of the event:
Participants and Discussants:
- Salah Al Fadhli, Information Systems Specialist
- Ali Al Hail, International Fulbright Visiting Scholar and consultant to Qatar Media Corporation
- Nayef Nahar Al Shamari, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Qatar University
- Fatima Alsmadi, Al Jazeera Center for Studies
- Abdullah Baabood, Gulf Studies Program – Qatar University
- Sultan Barakat, Brooking Institution’s Doha Center
- Mousa Bidaj, Shiraz magazine
- Youssef Choueiri, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
- Salah Eddin Elzein, Al Jazeera Center for Studies
- Masoud Fekri, Razi University
- Ibrahim Fraihat, Brookings Institution’s Doha Center
- Islam Hassan, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar
- Mohammad Masjed Jamei, Former Iranian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco
- Mehran Kamrava, CIRS – Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar
- Batoul Meshkinfam, Alzahra University
- Mohamad Ali Mohtadi, Journalist and Researcher of Middle East Affairs
- Mahdi Khaleghi Rad, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Qatar
- Samer Shehata, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and the University of Oklahoma
- Luciano Zaccara, Gulf Studies Program – Qatar University
- Mahjoob Zweiri, Qatar University