Reflections on the World Cup 2022 and the Role of Sport in Qatar's Future Development
2023-03-06 08:00 - 17:00 (Asia/Qatar) | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
In this panel, we reflect on how the World Cup impacted Qatar’s politics and society and its relations with other nations in the region and internationally. We also discuss the role of sport in Qatar’s future development.

Moderator: Suzi Mirgani (Center for International and Regional Studies, Georgetown University in Qatar)

Panelists: Danyel Reiche (Georgetown University in Qatar), Alexandra Chalat (Qatar Foundation), and Zaid Mosawy (Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy).

Location: CIRS Conference Room, Georgetown University in Qatar

2023-03-08 12:39
مجموعة العمل 1عن تاريخ العالم وممارسات الاسلاموفوبيا

08 AUG 2022 – 09 AUG 2022 17:00 – 19:30

في 8 و 9 أغسطس 2022، نظم مركز الدراسات الدولية والإقليمية أول اجتماع بحثي في ​​إطار مبادرته حول تاريخ العالم وممارسات الإسلاموفوبيا. عقد الاجتماع كحدث افتراضي عبر الإنترنت، بمشاركة علماء من مختلف المواقع الجغرافية. يهدف الاجتماع إلى مناقشة مقترحات الملخصات المقدمة، والتي تم التماسها من خلال دعوة لتقديم الأوراق وتقديمها من قبل العلماء المدعوين. ناقش الأكاديميون والخبراء المجتمعون من خلفيات متعددة التخصصات القضايا المتعلقة بالتحامل العالمي على الإسلام بما يتجاوز مسألة الحرب على الإرهاب والخوف والكراهية للإسلام والمسلمين بعد 11 سبتمبر.

بدأت المحادثة من قبل “آن نورتون”، التي جادلت أنه على الرغم من اعتماد الفكر السياسي الغربي على الفلسفة الإسلامية، إلا أنه غالبًا ما كان يُنظر إليه على أنه محو للملامح في تصوير شخصي متراكم تشكله طبقات التأثيرات والمحو هذه يخفي ويكشف عن مكانة الفكر الإسلامي، الفلسفي والديني، في الدين والفلسفة الغربية. الهدف من هذه الورقة هو العمل على توضيح الآثار التأسيسية لهذا النص. إلى جانب عزل الفكر الإسلامي في السياسة والفلسفة، ستوضح الورقة كيف قام الغرب بتقييد جوانب تحقيقاته الفكرية الخاصة. تقوم نورتون بتشخيص آثار استقرار التنوير التي منعت كلا من المشاركة الكاملة في التفكير في الإلوهية في الغرب.

حوّل سلمان سيد المناقشة إلى مسألة ظهور دولة الإسلاموفوبيا. وقال إن هناك حاجة لتوسيع أطر الجغرافيا وتعميق مجال التاريخ لفهم الإسلاموفوبيا. غالبًا ما يُفهم المصطلح على أنه مشكلة تنطبق على الأقليات المسلمة ولكن ليس على الدول ذات الأغلبية المسلمة. نشوء دولة معادية للإسلام، وهي شكل محدد من أشكال الدولة، لها مجموعة مميزة من المؤسسات والعمليات الإدارية وتغطي نطاقا متسعا من الأشكال السياسية. فالدولة المعادية للإسلام لا تستهدف فقط التعبيرات عن الإسلام ولكن في جهودها لتأديب المسلمين، تبني نظامًا دوليًا للمراقبة والتقييد، والذي يمكن تطبيقه بسهولة على الفاعلين الاجتماعيين الآخرين. تهدف الورقة إلى شرح ظهور الدولة المعادية للإسلام كمشروع لإعادة صياغة العقود الاجتماعية وإعادة تشكيل العلاقات بين المحكومين والحكام. أثارت حفصة كانجوال مسألة تقرير المصير فيما يتعلق بالاسلاموفبيا في كشمير التي تحتلها الهند. وذكرت أن تطور الإسلاموفوبيا في الهند هو نتيجة مشتركة لكل من الأيديولوجيات العلمانية الليبرالية والهندوسية. فبينما تُستخدم العلمانية في الهند لنزع الطابع السياسي عن الهوية الإسلامية بالقوة، يرى داعمو دولة الهندوس المسلمين على أنهم تابعون للهوية الهندوسية للأمة. باستخدام كشمير المحتلة كمثال، تبحث الورقة في كيفية استبعاد أهمية الإسلام من بين فئات الدولة الحديثة وكيف تحاول الدولة تقويض النشاطات الإسلامية وتقرير المصير. كانت الحجة الرئيسية هي أن الطابع الأساسي للقومية الهندية هو معاداة الإسلام، والذي لا يمحو فقط العلامات الإسلامية في الأماكن العامة ويقبل بالعنف والتعصب تجاه المسلمين كأمر طبيعي، ولكنه ينظر أيضًا إلى مطالبة المسلمين بالسيادة أو تقرير المصير بريبة ورفض ضمن نظام الدولة القومية العلمانية الليبرالية. ثم وجهت شيرين فرنانديز التحويل لفحص البحر كمسرح لممارسات الإسلاموفوبيا. وتقول إن هناك فجوة في الأدبيات تتجاهل دراسة كيفية استخدام البحر كمساحة لممارسة الإسلاموفوبيا. ولسد هذه الفجوة، ستنظر ورقتها في الممارسات التاريخية لنقل السجناء المسلمين ، من قبل البريطانيين في خمسينيات القرن التاسع عشر ، إلى مستعمرة عقابية تستخدم كمنفى في جزر أندامان على متن سفن وتدرس تجاربهم كمدانين استعماريين. سيربط الجزء الأخير من الورقة هذا التاريخ بالاسلاموفوبيا التي عانى منها المعتقلون في خليج غوانتانامو خلال الحرب على الإرهاب بعد 11 سبتمبر. ومن خلال هذه المساهمة، تهدف فرنانديز إلى استكشاف مركزية البحر كموقع يديم إضفاء الطابع المكاني على الإسلاموفوبيا كما يتجلى في نماذج معاملة السجناء المسلمين.. تناولت مناقشة أولي شاربونو دور الإسلام ومظاهر الإسلاموفوبيا في الفلبين المستعمرة من عام 1899 إلى عشرينيات القرن الماضي. وجادل بأن التفكير المتحيز عن المسلمين في المنطقة هو نتيجة لخطابات عديدة. أدى ذلك إلى سيطرة ممنهجة على السكان المسلمين من خلال العنف العسكري والهيمنة الثقافية والسياسية. تهدف ورقة شاربونو إلى دراسة المواد الأرشيفية من العلاقات الخارجية للولايات المتحدة، والدراسات الفلبينية؛ ودراسات جنوب شرق آسيا الإسلامية لتوضيح الأفكار الأمريكية المعاصرة حول المجتمعات الإسلامية وأفعالها. استخدام جنوب الفلبين كدراسة حالة سيهدف شاربونو أيضًا إلى تقديم الإسلاموفوبيا في جنوب شرق آسيا كمجموعة من المعتقدات وليس كممارسة موحدة.

قاد فالنتين دوكيه النقاش حول الإسلاموفوبيا في الأدب الاستعماري الاستيطاني “الجزائري” الذي ظهر في النصف الأول من القرن العشرين. خلال هذه الحقبة، كانت الجزائر منطقة تابعة للجمهورية الفرنسية. بتحليل ثلاث روايات من فترة ما بين الحربين كأرشيف تاريخي، ستبحث ورقته في تمثيل المواطن المسلم، والذي يشرح دوكيه أنه المفتاح لفهم الإسلاموفوبيا في ظل الاستعمار الفرنسي وكذلك حلها الوحشي بعد بضعة عقود. في هذه الروايات، غالبًا ما يتم إهمال الشخصيات الإسلامية واستبعادها إلى الخلفية أو محوها أو استبدالها بشخصيات “بربرية” غالبًا ما تكون مسيحية أو وثنية أو متوسطية غامضة. ويقول إن هذا المحو دليل على العنف الرمزي للاستيعاب الفرنسي الذي أنكر حتى اسم “جزائري” من بين المسلمين المغاربيين.

ناقش علي الصمدي دور الإسلام الإسباني وسلط الضوء على معالجة أدب الموريسكيين في الدراسات الأكاديمية. يجادل الصمدي بأن الإسلام ينظر إليه من قبل العلماء المستشرقين على أنه دين مستورد وليس جزءًا من الثقافة والتراث الإسباني الأصلي. وفي ورقته البحثية، يلقي الصمدي الضوء على الرفض السياسي الحالي للاعتراف بلغة الموريسكين وأدبهم المتجذر بعمق في الممارسات الماضية. ويوضح تحليله كيف كان منحى القرنين التاسع عشر والعشرين وفهمه للموريسكيين بأنهم كانوا متحيزين ويظهر الروابط الأدبية والثقافية بين أدب موريسكو والمؤلفين الإسبان المعاصرين التي تعكس التأثيرات عبر الأديان الفريدة التي تقتصر على شبه الجزيرة الأيبيرية.

حول فيرات أوروش تركيز المناقشة إلى الإسلاموفوبيا في تركيا والخوف من الإسلام في العصر الجمهوري التركي. روى أوروش أنه بعد زوال الإمبراطورية العثمانية، زعمت النخب التأسيسية الكمالية والمثقفون الأتراك أن الإسلام هو “ضائقة روحية” كان على الأمة التركية أن تتعافى منها. تصور مفهومهم لتركيا الحديثة إضفاء الصبغة الغربية على قومية الدولة. كان يُنظر إلى العصر العثماني على أنه قمع للشعب التركي وللقيم الثقافية التركية، حيث يُنظر إلى الإسلام على أنه التهديد الرئيسي لظهور تركيا كدولة جمهورية حديثة. ومن خلال فحص النصوص الثقافية والأدبية التركية، يهدف أوروش إلى استكشاف المظاهر والمؤشرات التاريخية للخوف من الإسلام وآثاره في تركيا وأيضًا إلى دراسة كيف يمكن أن تتكرر بعض النماذج المماثلة من الإسلاموفوبيا في المجتمعات ذات الأغلبية المسلمة الأخرى.تطرق توماس سيمزاريان دولان إلى مسألة “المال العربي” والرأسمالية العالمية. جادل دولان أنه في الخطاب الاقتصادي الانتقائي، يُنظر إلى المسلمين على أنهم فاعلون اقتصاديون غير عاديين. وصرح دولان بأن هذا الشكل من الإسلاموفوبيا يعتمد على نظرية الاستشراق التي تعمقت خلال الحرب الباردة، وتصف المسلمين بأنهم يشكلون تهديدًا أمنيًا للنظام المالي الغربي الذي يحتاج إلى انضباط اقتصادي وسياسي. إضافة إلى العمل الحالي للعلماء مثل ديبا كومار ومصطفى بيومي ومحمود معمداني، يهدف دولان وشريكته في التأليف زينب قادري إلى استكشاف هذه السلسلة من الإسلاموفوبيا من خلال تتبع الاقتصادات السياسية العابرة للحدود الوطنية التي يتدفق فيها رأس المال العالمي والأشخاص. يتم تحجيمها في وقت واحد.

سلطت منيزة رضوي الضوء على الخلافات حول وصف النضال الفلسطيني بأنه “قضية إسلامية”. ركزت على الأصوات التي، من ناحية، تنتقد روايات المستشرقين التي تصور إنشاء إسرائيل على أنه عداء بين المسلمين واليهود، ومن ناحية أخرى، تشير إلى أن التسمية “إسلامية” تستبعد بالضرورة الأطر التحليلية الأخرى للموضوع، مثل الاستعمار الاستيطاني. تدفع رضوي بأن الافتراضات العلمانية حول السياسة والدين تبني هذه النقاشات العادية، بالإضافة إلى المسارات الأكاديمية الموازية في دراسات الشرق الأوسط.وجه فريد حافظ المناقشة نحو الجغرافيا السياسية للإسلاموفوبيا وذكر أن فكرة الإسلام السياسي قد استخدمت من قبل الحكومات الوسطية في أوروبا لاستبعاد المسلمين من المجال العام، وإسكات الأصوات الناقدة، وقمع الجاليات المسلمة. هذا الخطاب هو امتداد للرواية حول مكافحة التطرف والحرب العالمية على الإرهاب. يهدف حافظ إلى دراسة كيف أن محاولات إسكات المسلمين تتجاوز الغرب. باستخدام عدسة جيوسياسية، وينظر في محاولات الإمارات لتشكيل الخطاب حول تدجين المسلمين في أوروبا ومصالح الولايات المتحدة وإسرائيل في قمع حماس. ويحاول رسم الروابط والاختلافات بين هذه الممارسات والإسلاموفوبيا في أوروبا.شارك عبد الله العريان أفكار سانوبر عمر حول تكوين العرق والدين في الهند الاستعمارية وما بعد الاستعمار. تم تشجيع المشاركين على النقاش حول قضايا مثل؛ المواقف الاستعمارية السائدة تجاه الإسلام في الهند، واستخدام الدين للتمييز بين الهندوس والمسلمين على أنهم “أعراق” منفصلة، والنظر إلى المسلمين على أنهم خطرون وبربريون مقارنة بالهندوس الذين يمكن إشراكهم في النظام الاستعماري البريطاني.يأخذ المشاركون التعليقات البناءة التي تلقوها على ملخصاتهم ويبدأون في كتابة مسودات الأوراق، والتي سيتم تعميمها على المجموعة قبل الاجتماع الثاني لمجموعة العمل. في الاجتماع اللاحق، سينتقد العلماء أوراق بعضهم البعض ويقدمون تعليقات متعمقة.

• لعرض جدول أعمال مجموعة العمل ، اضغط هنا• لقراءة السير الذاتية للمشاركين، اضغط هنا• اقرأ المزيد عن هذه المبادرة البحثية

المشاركون والمناقشات

• عبدالله العريان جامعة جورجتاون في قطر• علي الصمادي ـ جامعة إنديانا بلومنجتون ـ الولايات المتحدة• زهرة بابار ، مركز الدراسات الدولية والإقليمية – جامعة جورجتاون في قطر• مسبا بهاتي ، مركز الدراسات الدولية والإقليمية – جامعة جورجتاون في قطر• أولي شاربونو ، جامعة جلاسكو• توماس سيمزاريان دولان ، الجامعة الأمريكية بالقاهرة• فالنتين دوكيتيس ، جامعة تكساس في أوستن• شيرين فرنانديز ، كلية لندن للاقتصاد والعلوم السياسية• فريد حافظ جامعة جورجتاون• حفصة كنجواليس من كلية لافاييت• سوزي ميرغني ، مركز الدراسات الدولية والإقليمية – جامعة جورجتاون في قطر• آن نورتون ، جامعة بنسلفانيا

المقال بقلم ميسبا بهاتي، محللة بحثية بمركز الدراسات الدولية والاقليمية

Global Histories and Practices of Islamophobia Workshop II
2023-03-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
On March 12 and 13, 2023, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) organized a second research meeting under its research initiative, Global Histories and Practices of Islamophobia. The aim of the two-day meeting was to discuss and provide extensive feedback on written contributions from scholars and experts on the subject. The convened scholars presented papers on a variety of issues such as islamophobia and Orientalism, settler colonialism, global capitalism, Islamic identity, and Islamic and Western thought among others.

Anne Norton opened the discussion with her paper, “Reading the Palimpsest: The Erasure, Exile, and Elision of Islamic Thought in Western Philosophy.” Norton argued that the contributions of Muslim philosophers in Western political thought and philosophy are often erased. The foundational role played by figures such as al-Farabi, Ibn Rushd, and Ibn Sina in shaping Western philosophy is excluded from the Western canon. She stated that this erasure can be traced back to enmity, shame, and the European insistence on civilizational dominance. Her paper examines the palimpsest formed by these erasures and states that philosophic and political exclusions can be better understood through the recovery and reparation of Islamic thinkers and philosophers.

Salman Sayyid then presented his paper, “Islamophobia and Worldmaking.” He stated that islamophobia is a type of racism that specifically targets perceived “Muslimness.” It is a concept that has taken different forms and expressions over time and context and plays out at different horizons. With this paper, Sayyid challenges the dominant framing of islamophobia as primarily a result of the War on Terror and argues that it is a product of the colonial-racial venture of Europe/West, along with antisemitism and racism. The chapter details the history and definition of the term islamophobia, and the nature of the phenomenon itself as well as discusses the various global proposals and policies put forward for its reduction.

In the next session, Hafsa Kanjwal discussed her piece, “Against Muslimness: Islamophobia in Indian-occupied Kashmir.” She narrated that in the case of Indian-occupied Kashmir both secular liberalism and Hindu nationalist ideology converged in producing islamophobia. The chapter proposes that islamophobia must be recognized as a denial and regulation of “Muslimness.” This, she argues includes not only practices of islamophobia in sites where public markers of Muslim difference are erased or violence and bigotry towards Muslims are normalized, but also in places where Muslim histories of indigeneity, demands for self-determination, or expressions of solidarity, are seen with suspicion or rejected altogether as being dangerous to the liberal, secular nation-state order.

Shifting the focus to “Islamophobia and the Sea,” Shereen Fernandez traced how the sea and bodies of water have become sites of abuse and torture for racialized Muslims and detailed how characterizations of Muslims as ‘fanatics’ and ‘violent’ is not a new phenomenon arising from the War on Terror but have a deeper and more global history. Using the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and the treatment of Indian Muslims specifically, alongside the treatment of detainees at Guantánamo Bay at the height of the War on Terror, as case studies Fernandez aims to examine how Muslims were characterized and the impacts this has had on the continued abuse and labeling of these convicts as the “Other.” By focusing on seascapes through the forced transportation of Muslims across seas to penal colonies and prisoners, this chapter amplifies the argument that islamophobia is a practice rooted in racism and violence.

Oli Charbonneau’s presentation on, “Learning and Loathing: The Long Shadow of US Colonialism,” traced how Islamophobic beliefs and practices emerged within deeper American colonial history. Using Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago as case studies, he explained how the Southern Philippines acted as a site for the continuous regeneration of ideas about the Muslim threat. His paper provides an analysis of how American islamophobia is the result of attempts to reform Muslim Filipinos, alongside acts of violence within a military state. The paper traces the lineage of these ideas, which Charbonneau argues persists not only in U.S. military activities in the Southern Philippines but also in a host of cultural products that renew fearful visions forged within the empire.

The next session looked at Firat Oruc’s paper, “Islam as Founding Fear: Turkish National Humanism and “the Muslim Orient.” He stated that the foundation of the new Turkish state as a westernized, secular, and modern nation-state was laid upon the expulsion of the old Ottoman-Islamic traditions. His paper examines how this was embedded into the narrative of ensuring national survival and territorial sovereignty, which was seen as integral to the emergence of modern Turkey. The fear of Islam as the return of repressed was envisioned as a threat to Turkey’s modern image and was regarded as the root neurotic cause of Turkey’s crisis of identity.

Valentin Duquet then presented his paper on “Islamophobia in Algerianist Settler-Colonial Literature of the Interwar Period: A Post-Orientalist Form of Symbolic Violence.” Analyzing three Algerianist novels of the interwar period, Pascualette l’Algérien by Louis Lecoq, Cassard le Berbère by Robert Randau, and Berberopolis by Victor Trenga, Duquet’s paper tracks a progression from covert to overt islamophobia, in ways that continually erase Muslim identities while highlighting stories of settler and Berber successes. These literary pieces, Duquet argues depict religious and racial animosity as systemic and are embedded in the political climate of the time. The paper aims to examine how post-orientalism is therefore not a rejection but a continuation of French imperialism with its brand of islamophobia.

Commenting on his paper, “Spanish Islam and Islamic Identity in Scholarship: The Case of the Moriscos,” Ali Alsmadi stated that the expulsion of the Moriscos was part of Spain’s violent past and the denial of the right to return to Spain to their descendants reinforces a double standard and contradicts Spain’s claims to multiculturalism, diversity, and tolerance. This stance is rooted in Spain’s past and is an example of islamophobia, which is not a recent phenomenon but has deep roots in Spanish history. The Moriscos were seen as the ‘Other,’ and their differences were conflated with religious deviance. Alsmadi’s study aims to draw parallels between the Moriscos’ case and the situation of Muslim minorities in contemporary Spain and other European countries, where islamophobia shapes debates about identity, secularity, and multiculturalism. The paper claims that disregarding Moriscos’ past tragedies leads to downplaying current Islamophobic practices, which are aimed towards safeguarding the future of the European identity.

Focusing on Islamophobia in China with his paper “Islamophobia in Late Imperial China: Rhetoric and Roots,” Haiyun Ma provided a historical account of Islamophobia in Confucian China. By examining the systematic Han Confucian accusations and attacks on Chinese-speaking Muslims in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Ma outlines premodern Islamophobia, as seen in Confucian historiography and discourses, as well as traces the transition of the Confucian historiography to a nationalist ideology in the early twentieth century. The author notes that modern Islamophobia in China is different from the premodern version which has ties to the Middle East, the Arabs, Wahabi ideology, and global Islamophobia primarily imported from the West.

Andrew Hammond’s paper “Islamophobia and Modern Islamic Thought,” examined the role of modernizing intellectual currents, both from within the Islamic tradition and from Western philosophy, in providing the ideological basis for secular authoritarian regimes in the Middle East in the 20th century. Hammond stated that the materialist and positivist trends in Western philosophy influenced ruling elites in the Middle East, but modern Islamic thought’s internalization of European secularism provided an internal ideological cover for the authoritarian secular hue of post-colonial regimes. The paper also examines how Islamic political movements dealt with secularism after the Iranian Revolution and sought to reclaim lost ground for religion, which lead to an intensification of anti-Muslim animus during the 2000s.

In the next session, Carol Fadda presented her chapter “Producing “Terror:” Gendered State Surveillance and the US Racial State.” Addressing the experiences of Arab and Muslim women who have been targeted and attacked by the US security state for their political stances within the US, the chapter analyzed and identified the US security state as a racial state in its ongoing gendered criminalization of Arab and Muslim communities. Fadda highlighted the case of Palestinian-American activist Rasmea Odeh, who was arrested in 2013 for allegedly lying on her US citizenship application. Many activists claimed that Odeh’s arrest and deportation were politically motivated due to her pro-Palestinian activism and support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Fadda argued that Odeh’s case is an example of the US security state’s increasing racialized and gendered targeting of Arab and Muslim women, which builds on a longer history of the state’s criminalization of political critique, dissidence, and activism by Arabs and other racialized minorities in the US more broadly.

Zayneb Quadri presented her paper “A-rab Money”: Islamophobia and Global Capitalism,” which she co-authored with Thomas Simsarian Dolan. She maintained that while after 9/11, islamophobia became more racialized, the political shift was less an intensification of a pre-existing hatred and more of a reorientation within the geography of U.S. imperialism. Suggesting that it becomes difficult to frame islamophobia as a cogent racism, given the privileged status the US state has accorded to many Muslims, who are allowed to be “good” so long as they are proximal to natural resources and capital that serves a Euro-American global capitalist order. This contribution looks at the framing of “Muslimness” both as an ally and threat and examines Muslims’ racing and un-racing through the ideological and structural positions they occupy. The authors argue that the evolution of these modes of engagement with Muslims emphasizes articulating who qualifies as a tolerable Muslim and who becomes a threat to national security.

Farid Hafez addressed the issue of islamophobia in Germany with his chapter, “Colonial and Post-Colonial Governance of Islam in Germany.” Tracing the historical legacy of racialization in Germany Hafez highlighted the importance of colonialism in understanding the context of islamophobia in Germany. The paper discusses issues of the governance of Muslims, and the bureaucratization of Islam, first in colonial and then in postcolonial times to evaluate the legacy of the colonial, racial order, and aims to provide a nuanced picture of past and present islamophobia in Germany.

The final session looked at Sanober Umar’s paper “Good Orient/Bad Orient: ‘Yogawashing’ in Casteist-Islamophobic India.” Tracing the development of contemporary islamophobia in India under Hindu Nationalism, Umar discussed how British orientalist perceptions and literature produced and reproduced the figure of the Muslim as dangerous and barbaric, often in collusion with casteist and nativist Hindus, which still influences contemporary Hindu Nationalist ideologies. This Umar argues has resulted in the racialization of Muslims in dehumanizing tropes, with little condemnation from the Western quarters. The paper examines how both the neocolonial Western global apparatus and Hindu Nationalists have produced themselves as desirable civilizations through their ethnocultural narratives of history and self-representation, in relation to the global figure of the homogenized and otherized Muslim. Notably, the paper examines how romanticized and exotic conceptions of “eastern spirituality” including popular imaginations of contemporary India as a land of peaceful yoga practices has further served to invisibilize the complex histories and ongoing politics of Muslim persecution in the country with Western complacency.

The final revised drafts will be collected by CIRS with an aim of publishing an edited volume in the future.

To view the working group agenda, click here

To read the participants’ biographies, click here

Read more about this research initiative

Participants and Discussants:

Abdullah Al-Arian Georgetown University Qatar

Ali Alsmadi Indiana University Bloomington

Zahra Babar, CIRS – Georgetown University in Qatar

Misba Bhatti, CIRS – Georgetown University in Qatar

Oli Charbonneau University of Glasgow

Thomas Simsarian Dolan American University in Cairo

Valentin Duquetis University of Texas at Austin

Carol Fadda Syracuse University

Shereen Fernandez London School of Economics

Farid Hafez Georgetown University

Andrew Hammond Oxford University

Hafsa Kanjwalis Lafayette College

Aashish Karn Georgetown University Qatar

Haiyun Ma Frostburg State University

Suzi Mirgani, CIRS – Georgetown University in Qatar

Anne Norton University of Pennsylvania

Firat Oruc Georgetown University Qatar

Zaynab Quadri Ohio State University

Dalva Raposo Georgetown University Qatar

Salman Sayyid University of Leeds

Asma Shakeel Georgetown University Qatar

Sanober Umar York University

Elizabeth Wanucha, CIRS – Georgetown University Qatar

Karine Walther Georgetown University Qatar

Article by Misba Bhatti, Research Analyst at CIRS

CURA Spotlight: Min Zhou
2023-03-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Min Zhou (University of California, Los Angeles)

Moderator: Dalva Raposo (Georgetown University in Qatar, Class of 2024)

Location: Georgetown University in Qatar

Beyond Economic Migration: Social, Historical, and Political Factors in US Immigration
2023-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Moderator: Zahra Babar (Center for International and Regional Studies, Georgetown University in Qatar)

Panelists: Min Zhou (University of California, Los Angeles), Hasan Mahmud (Northwestern University in Qatar), and Misba Bhatti (Center for International and Regional Studies, Georgetown University in Qatar).

Location: CIRS Conference Room, Georgetown University in Qatar

CIRS Open House
2023-08-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
On August 21, 2023, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) held an open house for GU-Q students, faculty, and staff to learn more about CIRS, the CIRS Undergraduate Research Advancement (CURA) program, and how they can be involved in the Center’s work. Over 70 attendees met CIRS staff members and listened to a presentation by Elizabeth Wanucha, CIRS Operations Manager.

Iran-Saudi Relations: Changing Regional Alignments
2023-09-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Mehran Kamrava (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Moderator: Gerd Nonneman (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Location: Faculty Conference Room, GU-Q (First floor)

Mehran Kamrava is Professor of Government at Georgetown University Qatar. Kamrava is the author of a number of journal articles and books, including, most recently, Righteous Politics: Power and Resilience in Iran (Cambridge University Press, 2023); A Dynastic History of Iran: From the Qajars to the Pahlavis (Cambridge University Press, 2022); and Triumph and Despair: In Search of Iran’s Islamic Republic (Oxford University Press, 2022).

The Invasion of Iraq: Regional Reflections
2023-09-14 18:00 - 2023-09-16 16:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
The 2003 invasion of Iraq marked a critical turning point in America’s relationship with Iraq and its neighboring countries, a region of strategic importance encompassing vital energy and military interests, and reshaped its diplomatic relations worldwide. This conference was convened by the Dean of Georgetown University in Qatar, Dr. Safwan Masri, in collaboration with the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS). Taking a regional perspective, this meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the many geopolitical and socioeconomic consequences of the conflict that continue to reverberate across the globe twenty years later.

View the highlighs

About the Conference

Sociolinguistics Landscape and Culture in Qatar - Workshop II
2023-09-24 08:00 - 2023-09-25 17:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
On September 24 and 25, 2023, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) hosted a roundtable workshop titled “Sociolinguistics Landscape and Culture in Qatar.” The two-day workshop was the second meeting under the “Narratives of Language Landscapes in Qatar” research initiative led by GU-Q faculty member, Yehia A. Mohamed. The aim of the workshop was to discuss and provide feedback on the abstracts submitted by the workshop participant.

To view the working group agenda, click here

To read the participants’ biographies, click here

Read more about this research initiative

Participants and Discussants:

Wisam Kh. Abdul-Jabbar, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)

Muntasir Fayez Al Hamad, Qatar University

H.E. Dr. Hamad Al-Kawari, State Minister Qatar

Hadeel Al-Khatib, Qatar University

Najma Al Zidjaly, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

Andrei Avram, University of Bucharest, Romania

Misba Bhatti, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

Julie Boéri, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)

Deborah Giustini, Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU)

Najla Kalach, Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma (UNINT University)

Vladimir Kulikov, Qatar University

Suzi Mirgani, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

Yehia Abdelmobdy Mohamed, Georgetown University in Qatar

Dudley Reynolds, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar

Yasir Suleiman, University of Cambridge

Irene Theodoropoulou, Qatar University

Elizabeth Wanucha, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

David Wilmsen, American University of Sharjah

Wajdi Zaghouani, Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU)

Conceptualizing Womanhood in the Arabian Littoral of the Gulf
2023-10-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Maryam Alsada (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Moderator: Trish Kahle (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Location: Faculty Conference Room, GU-Q (First floor)

Maryam Alsada is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Georgetown University in Qatar. Alsada completed her PhD at UCL, where she employed an interdisciplinary approach to studying the Arabian littoral of the Gulf at the Department of Anthropology. She also holds an MSc in Public Policy from UCL, as well as a BS in Foreign Service and a Certificate in American Studies from Georgetown University in Qatar.

Mobility Diplomacy: How States Maximize Passport Power
2023-10-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Noora Lori (Boston University)

Moderators: Nadya Sbaiti (Georgetown University in Qatar) and Sami Hermez (Northwestern University in Qatar)

About the event: Co-organized by CIRS and Northwestern University in Qatar, the talk introduced the concept of mobility diplomacy and argued that neither wealth nor political stability are sufficient conditions for unlocking visa-free travel.

The Environmental Drivers of Out-Migration in Bangladesh
2023-10-29 17:00 - 18:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Katharine Donato (Georgetown University)

Moderator: Zahra Babar (CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar)

Location: 1D02 Faculty Conference Room, Georgetown University in Qatar (1st floor)

Katharine M. Donato holds the Donald G. Herzberg Chair in International Migration and is Director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration in the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Her research addresses many research questions related to global migration.

Afghanistan Regional Symposium: Confronting the Impasse
2023-11-11 09:00 - 17:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
The Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is hosting the “Afghanistan Regional Symposium: Confronting the Impasse.” The symposium gathers leading experts, scholars, and policymakers in a collective pursuit of exploring and addressing the intricate challenges surrounding Afghanistan and its neighboring region. Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, there has been an unsettling impasse between Afghanistan and the rest of the world. This impasse presents a critical juncture where conventional strategies of intervention from global powers have become inadequate. Through insightful panels, including discussions on the Afghan peace process, climate change, food security challenges, education, and humanitarian concerns, the symposium fosters a nuanced understanding of ongoing challenges and paves the way for informed impactful solutions.

View SYMPOSIUM highlights

Read About the Symposium

CURA Spotlight: Victor Ehikhamenor
2023-11-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Victor Ehikhamenor, Artist-in-Residence (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Moderator: Asma Shakeel (Georgetown University in Qatar, Class of 2024)

Location: Georgetown University in Qatar

Persisting Biases: Findings from the UNDP 2023 Gender Social Norm Index
2023-11-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
The index, which was first introduced in 2020, covers 85 percent of the global population and captures data up to 2022. It provides information on the evolution of social norms over a 10-year period. The 2023 GSNI sheds light on the persistent presence of biased gender social norms across the world. The index reveals around 87% of women and 90% of men harbour biases against women across key dimensions: politics, education, economics, and physical integrity. The 2023 GSNI highlights a number of important findings showing 10 years of stagnation in gender biases and notes that gender social norms could be tackled by education and awareness raising, and through representation and recognition, among others.

The GSNI report and media release is available at https://hdr.undp.org/content/2023-gender-social-norms-index-gsni#/indicies/GSN

Moderator: Biplove Choudhary (Technical Representative & Head of Office, UNDP)

Speakers: Pedro Conceição (Director of the Human Development Report Office, UNDP), Raquel Lagunas (Head of Gender Equality, UNDP), and Nadya Sbaiti (Georgetown University in Qatar).

Location: Faculty Conference Room (1D02), Georgetown University in Qatar.

Global Energy Cultures: How Energy Shapes our Everyday Lives
2023-12-09 08:00 - 2023-12-10 20:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
In collaboration with Msheireb Museums, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is hosting a forum on “Global Energy Cultures: How Energy Shapes our Everyday Lives.” Every aspect of our contemporary lives is shaped by energy; societies are fully dependent on the accessibility and availability of energy products, whether in the form of hydrocarbons or alternative energy sources. At the intersection of academic and artistic perspectives, scholars, artists, and practitioners engage in discussions around the broad theme of “energy.” The aim of the conversations is to make academic research accessible to the public through a series of multidisciplinary talks and cultural events.

Location: Msheireb Museums

About the forum

view forum highlights

Workshop: Race and Ethnicity in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia
2024-01-10 08:00 - 2024-01-11 17:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
On January 10-11, 2024, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at Georgetown University in Qatar (GUQ) organized a workshop to discuss draft papers submitted under its Race and Ethnicity in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia research initiative. Over two days, the convened scholars presented and received feedback on their papers that tackled a wide array of issues, including; the history of racism in Africa, Turkey, and the Ottoman Empire, the notion of whiteness and blackness, the construction of national identity within diasporic communities and everyday racism in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

To view the working group agenda, click here

To read the participants’ biographies, click here

Read more about this research initiative

Participants and Discussants:

Rogaia Abusharaf, Georgetown University in Qatar

Akintunde E. Akinade, Georgetown University in Qatar

Azza Ahmed Abdel Aziz, University of London

Zahra Babar, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

Clovis Bergère, Northwestern University Qatar

Misba Bhatti, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

Uday Chandra, Georgetown University in Qatar

Chouki El Hamel, Arizona State University

Amal Ghazal, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies

Sami Hermez, Northwestern University in Qatar

Wilson Chacko Jacob, Concordia University

Taha Kaleem, PhD student, Brandeis University

Aashish Karn, postgraduate student, Lancaster University

Hasan Mahmud, Northwestern University in Qatar

Thomas F. McDow, Ohio State University

Pascal Ménoret, Brandeis University

Mostafa Minawi, Cornell University

Suzi Mirgani, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

Yehia Abdelmobdy Mohamed, Georgetown University in Qatar

Anne-Sophie Pratte, Georgetown University in Qatar

Paul A. Silverstein, Reed College (Portland, USA)

Leila Tayeb, Northwestern University in Qatar

Ousmane Traoré, Pomona College

Elizabeth Wanucha, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

Tukufu Zuberi, University of Pennsylvania

The Struggles of Palestinian Prisoners
2024-01-29 17:00 - 18:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Shedding light on current imprisonment conditions and the escalation of mass-arrest campaigns across Palestine, the talk will highlight the centrality of imprisonment to Israel’s project of control and dispossession. Since 1948, it is estimated that the Israeli regime has arrested nearly one million Palestinians, subjecting them to multitude forms of torture and violence, and diligently working to dismantle forms of collective mobilization and resistance inside prisons. The talk will also discuss the hope of true liberation that many have long been holding closely, within and outside the physical space of the prison.

Location: CIRS Conference Room, Georgetown University in Qatar.

Speaker: Basil Farraj (Birzeit University)

Moderator: Sami Hermez (Northwestern University)

CURA Research Skills Workshop: Tools for Effective Argumentative Writing
2024-02-08 13:00 - 15:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
On February 8, 2024, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) hosted a research skills workshop titled “Tools for Effective Argumentative Writing.” The workshop was presented in collaboration with the Office of Academic Services at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), under the auspices of the CIRS Undergraduate Research Advancement (CURA) program. Twelve undergraduate students from GU-Q attended the workshop, which was led by CMU-Q’s Professors Thomas Mitchell and Silvia Pessoa.

“Analyzing and deconstructing sample texts, revealed the various components that blend together to create a coherent and persuasive argument. The ability to break down arguments is a valuable skill that I gained from the workshop.”
– Workshop participant

Using a hands-on approach, Professors Mitchell and Pessoa guided students through several peer-review activities using excerpts from real essays and papers submitted by GU-Q students. This activity involved both individual and group analysis of different excerpts, focusing on various elements of effective argumentative writing.

One interesting activity involved a thorough analysis of pairs of similar phrases within the same context to determine the most effective claims. Students explained their reasoning and received insights from the professors on accurately identifying the attributes of a descriptive claim versus an argumentative claim. Special attention was given to sources and language as major elements influencing the reader’s understanding of the author’s position. The students also analyzed pairs of sample texts to identify common features within texts with effective claims. Professor Mitchell emphasized the importance of language choice, stating, “your choice in the type of language that you use is very important to bring the reader to your side without alienating them.”

The workshop explored engagement moves and interpersonal resources as tools of specific rhetorical effect, exemplified by commonly used discourse markers. Students learned to apply these tools in body paragraphs, analyzing interactions of the text with different sources to support the author’s claims or introduce alternative perspectives. The importance of engaging in a dialogue with existing sources was highlighted, with Professor Silvia stating, “Do not ignore them, rather bring them in and then challenge their ideas.” This emphasized the idea that writing is entering into a conversation with those who have written on the topic before, actively creating knowledge through the addition to the ongoing discourse.

“I think this workshop was very helpful. It established the fundamental framework for college writing. With the skills taught here, it is easier to handle college level assignments.”
– Workshop participant

A notable segment involved the analysis of two college students’ arguments on the social effects of urban planning in Qatar. This approach encouraged students to critically examine texts similar to their own, stressing the importance of a discerning eye during the revising and editing process. Small details, as revealed through this exercise, can significantly impact the clarity and structure of argumentative claims.

The CURA Research Skills Workshop not only equipped students with practical tools for effective argumentative writing but also fostered a collaborative and critical approach to peer-reviewed analysis. Through engaging activities and expert guidance, participants gained valuable insights into the art of crafting compelling and persuasive arguments. CIRS continues to provide opportunities for skill development, enhancing the research capabilities of the undergraduate student body.

Article by Dalva Raposo, CIRS Research Assistant

Qatar's Creative Culture: Fostering Development and Diplomacy
2024-02-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
This talk explores how Qatar is redefining the global cultural landscape, using its rich artistic heritage and innovative creative industries to forge new paths in diplomacy and spur national development. This talk unveils the strategies behind Qatar’s success in turning culture into a powerful tool for international engagement and sustainable growth.

Speaker: Nouf M. S. Al-Thani, J.D. (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Moderator: Trish Kahle (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Location: Faculty Conference Room (1D02), 1st Floor, Georgetown University in Qatar.

On Palestine: Hiwaraat Symposium
2024-03-07 13:00 - 18:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
“On Palestine” features leading Palestinian voices, and is moderated by prominent broadcaster and author Mehdi Hassan. The symposium is organized around three thematic areas: justice and accountability, global media narratives and the shaping of public opinion, and avoiding traps in imagining a political future.

Location: Al Mirqab Ballroom, Four Seasons Hotel Doha

About the Symposium

America's Game in the Middle East: The 2027 Qatar Basketball World Cup
2024-03-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
After successfully hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar continues to retain sport as an important domestic and foreign policy tool. In April 2023, Qatar achieved another historical win by being selected as the first Arab nation to host the men’s basketball World Cup, a quintessentially American game, invented in the late nineteenth century in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the second most popular global sport after football.This panel discussion serves as the launching event for a new CIRS research project titled “America’s Game in the Middle East: The 2027 Qatar Basketball World Cup,” which studies U.S. and Middle East political and cultural engagements through the lens of basketball.

Location: Faculty Conference Room (1D02), Georgetown University in Qatar

Speakers: Claudia Kozman (Northwestern University in Qatar), Yaseen Ismail Musa (Former Professional Basketball Player and Head of the Qatar Basketball Federation), Joseph John (Al Jazeera English)

Moderator: Danyel Reiche (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Humanization through International Law? The Global South's Role in Accountability
2024-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
South Africa’s presentation of its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January 2024 was a powerful assertion of humanity through law. Many have argued that international law is only as good as its enforcement. This talk engages in a discussion on such statements and on the role of Global South actors’ critical engagement in international law.

Speaker: Noha Aboueldahab (Georgetown University in Qatar) is an Assistant Professor of International Law at Georgetown University in Qatar, and a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. Her second forthcoming book examines the role of Arab diasporas in using international law and transitional justice to push for political change in their home states. Aboueldahab sits on the advisory boards of several organizations, and is regularly consulted by the media and policymakers on issues concerning law and politics in the Arab region.

Moderator: Nadya Sbaiti (Georgetown University in Qatar).

The Migrant Race: Intra-Asian Mobility, Co-ethnicity & Categorical Complexity
2024-04-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Laavanya Kathiravelu (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)

Moderator: Uday Chandra (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Location: CIRS Conference Room, Georgetown University in Qatar

This talk explored the comparative complexities faced by long-term and second generation immigrants in Singapore and Doha, and interrogated how Asian migration studies can contribute to complexifying enrich intersectional approaches to identity and belonging in the social sciences.

"Mothership" Documentary Screening and Discussion
2024-04-21 13:00 - 14:30 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
About the documentary: In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the crew of the Ocean Viking is rescuing people in exile fleeing Libya, crammed in unseaworthy boats. To ensure that people in distress are rescued in compliance with human rights and maritime law, a tug-of-war between authorities and humanitarian aid workers occurs.

Speakers: Fyras Mawazini and Sanad Hamdan, members of the Search and Rescue team on-board the ship Ocean Viking.

Location: Room 0A12, Georgetown University in Qatar

Party Politics, Voter Behavior, and Hot Topic Issues
2024-08-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
This panel discussion aims to address various topics such as the Republican Party’s internal conflicts, the evolution of the Democratic Party across generations, the potential opportunities and challenges in a president’s final term, the lasting impact of Trumpism, the significance of congressional voting districts and swing states, the priorities of voters, the electoral college system, the recurring issue of immigration, the current situation in Gaza, and how voter behavior in key states could affect the outcome of the 2024 election.

Panelists:

Clyde Wilcox, Georgetown University in QatarAmanda Garrett, Georgetown University in QatarPaul Musgrave, Georgetown University in Qatar

Moderator: Victoria Googasian, Georgetown University in Qatar

Reimagining Palestine - Hiwaraat Conference
2024-09-20 08:00 - 2024-09-22 19:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
“Reimagining Palestine” is the latest installment of Georgetown University in Qatar’s signature Hiwaraat conference series, which engages scholars, experts, and the public in timely and relevant dialogues on globally significant issues. Since its launch in September 2023, the series has curated conferences on topics such as Regional Reflections on the Invasion of Iraq, Global Histories and Practices of Islamophobia, Confronting the Impasse in Afghanistan, Water Security in the Gulf, How Energy Shapes our Everyday Lives, and Gender in Foreign Policy.

Some of the world’s leading academics and practitioners will gather for a thought-provoking exploration of such pressing, forward-looking questions as the future of Gaza and how to make it livable again, to pathways toward a viable Palestinian political future, and the regional implications of the current moment. This conference aims to advance academic discourse on Palestine, meaningfully engaging participants in dialogue that challenges the status quo and envisions new possibilities for justice and peace.

Doha’s strategic position at the crossroads of the Middle East offers a unique vantage point intimately connected to the region’s complex realities. By bringing together a diverse range of regional perspectives here, this will be a forum where history meets possibility, offering participants the opportunity to gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of one of the most critical issues of our time.

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CURA Spotlight with Dr. Muez Ali
2024-10-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
Speaker: Muez Ali Moderator: Leshamta Maina (Georgetown University in Qatar, Class of 2025)Location: CIRS Conference Room, Georgetown University in Qatar

On October 8th, 2024, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) hosted its first CURA Spotlight event of the semester. The event featured Dr. Muez Ali, Research and Policy Associate at Earthna, Qatar Foundation, and an Honorary Research Fellow at UCL’s Bartlett School. The event was hosted as part of the CIRS Undergraduate Research Advancement (CURA) Program and was opened by Operations Manager Elizabeth Wanucha, who introduced the moderator. The event, moderated by Leshamta Maina, a senior student at Georgetown University in Qatar, focused on the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the role of civil society, and the challenges faced by emergency response rooms. Dr. Ali opened the discussion by challenging mainstream narratives, emphasizing that the war in Sudan is often misrepresented as a power struggle between two generals. He explained that this perspective overlooks the deeper issues at play, such as the rise of organized civil society movements in Sudan, particularly the “resistance committees”, which played a critical role in opposing military rule. The conversation further explored the October 2021 coup and its implications, including the resistance committees’ efforts to sustain community-based initiatives despite the coup’s suppression of civilian leadership. Dr. Ali highlighted the formation of “emergency response rooms”, local networks designed to provide essential support during the conflict. These community-driven initiatives, however, face significant challenges, such as limited funding and international misunderstanding of their role. Following Dr. Ali’s opening remarks, Leshamta and Dr. Ali had a moderated discussion on multiple facets of the conflict in Sudan. They discussed the international community’s response, particularly the role of foreign actors like the UAE, who have economic interests in Sudan’s natural resources, such as gold. Dr. Ali also addressed the displacement crisis, which has led to one of the largest internal displacement movements in recent history. He noted that while civil society has taken steps to provide shelter and aid, the response from international organizations has been limited in areas directly affected by conflict. The floor was then opened for the audience Q&A session, during which students raised questions about the African Union’s silence on the conflict, the potential for urban warfare in Khartoum, and the long-term sustainability of emergency response rooms, many of which rely heavily on diaspora support. Dr. Ali emphasized the need for skepticism towards mainstream media narratives and the importance of understanding the conflict from a Sudanese perspective. The session concluded with a call to critically examine the “forgotten status” of the Sudanese conflict and the role of the media in shaping global perceptions. Dr. Ali encouraged the audience to question established frameworks in social sciences and to remain critical of the narratives presented in mainstream media.

Article written by CIRS Research Assistant, Haala Qamar (Class of ’26)

Race and Gender in U.S. Political Participation
2024-10-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
With Dr. Jamil Scott, Georgetown University

CIRS Conference Room, 0A35

Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Assessments, Implications, Prospects
2024-10-26 09:00 - 17:00 | Education City, Al Luqta St, Ar-Rayyan, Doha, Qatar
On October 26, 2024, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) hosted a one-day conference in collaboration with the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University titled “Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Assessment, Implications, and Prospects.” This conference brought together leading international and regional experts to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its implications for the existing international order, and various global perspectives on the war.

The first panel, “Consequences of the War: Impact on Key International Players,” shed light on the Ukrainian, Russian, European, and American perspectives. The panelists argued that since the very beginning of its outbreak, this war has turned into an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy. From day one, Russia has been attacking civilian and energy infrastructure. And yet, nearly three years after the invasion started, the spirit of resistance in Ukraine remains strong, and rebuilding efforts have already begun. Meanwhile, the outcome of the war in Ukraine will have an immense impact on the security of Europe and the West. While saying this, the panelists emphasized the important role of NATO as the primary security force in Europe. However, they also acknowledge the existence of heavy resistance among its members against Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty.

Another important topic discussed during the first panel was related to the US foreign policy towards Ukraine, which has had a complicated evolution since Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In the 1990s, Kyiv became the third largest recipient of aid from the US, which was largely provided to dismantle the Soviet-era nuclear infrastructure. Yet, in the first years of Ukraine’s independence, the US failed to offer security commitments, even though the Russian threat was omnipresent. Even in the 2000s, when Ukraine contributed forces to US-led military operations, reciprocal security commitments remained elusive. Following the 2022 invasion, it became increasingly clear that the Western powers had overestimated Russia’s military capabilities. Hence, the US strategic objectives focused on deterrence and weakening Russia. While the American politicians repeat the ‘Ukraine must win’ mantra, real US support for Ukraine has still been limited. Moreover, while in Russia’s view, the Western block of Ukraine supporters is led by the US, the US authorities, on the contrary, are trying to disengage from Europe. According to the conference panelist, since before the 2024 presidential elections, the US has been caught between its desire to pivot toward China (seeing the war in Ukraine as a destructing factor) and Europe’s demands for continued engagement (that was bringing the US back to the Ukraine support). The Trump victory in the 2024 Presidential election could be a turning point in the US approach to the conflict.

The first panel also paid attention to the analysis of Russia’s internal dynamics. The participants acknowledged that, despite the initial expectations, Russia’s economic growth in the war years was steady, allowing the Kremlin to fund its military operations in Ukraine. Over the last three years, Moscow succeeded in maintaining a semblance of normalcy, channeling investments into infrastructure and suppressing dissent domestically. However, as the war approaches its fourth year, the situation is becoming more challenging for the Kremlin. Sustaining public and elite support may prove challenging for Putin. Recently, the Kremlin even ramped up efforts to mobilize domestic society more directly. This shift raises questions about whether the general public and the elites will continue backing Putin’s strategy.

The following panel discussion, “Russia’s War in Ukraine and the impact on the Global South,” centered around understanding Central Asian, Chinese, African, and South American responses to the war in Ukraine. The Central Asian societies reacted immediately to support Ukraine, lending social support through public meetings and collecting humanitarian aid. Kazakhstan took an interesting position. Even though the country has a significant ethnic Russian population and has security and economic agreements with Russia, the Kazakh president met with Putin and declared that his country would never support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Other Central Asian countries took a more neutral stance to safeguard their interests, as some of these countries substantially rely on remittances from Russia.

According to the panelists, at the strategic level, China benefits greatly from the current global order as it favors China’s growing economic role. Historically, China’s foreign policy was independent and cautious, but that is starting to shift. While China’s Belt and Road initiative initially aligned with the existing global order, the Chinese approaches might evolve as Beijing seeks a greater role in the international arena. China and Russia share a vision that offers an alternative global order based on development-driven security. However, China’s alignment with Russia is proving to be a burden for Beijing rather than an opportunity, especially with North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russia is ‘inserting’ itself into relations between Pyongyang and Beijing, disrupting the Chinese sphere of influence, which poses a threat to China.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has drawn varied responses from Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Russia’s political emphasis on stability over democratization resonates with many African leaders. This has created favorable conditions for Russia in Africa in the short and medium term. However, the long-term outlook remains uncertain as emotional responses primarily drive current support. African nations generally maintain a desire to cooperate with all international parties.

South America’s response has been shaped by the region’s strong commitment to peace, though the overall response is largely fragmented. The prevalence of center-left governments has led to some reluctance to fully align with the US global agenda (i.e., to support Ukraine). However, this does not necessarily translate to support for Russia. The region’s approach to the war is shaped by its opposition to territorial integrity violations, unilateral sanctions (viewed as harming populations rather than states), transfer of weapons, and military involvement.

The third and final panel was titled “Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine from the Middle Eastern and Gulf Perspective(s).” The conflict has amplified pre-existing regional trends, with Arab states viewing it as an opportunity to expand their relations with various global powers. This stance is also hard to call pro-Russian. While the Arab League has maintained a neutral position in this war, individual Arab states have consistently voted against Russia in United Nations resolutions. Notably, the Arab states have managed to insulate their bilateral relationships with the US and Russia, ensuring the conflict did not damage their ties with either, allowing them to benefit from their position within the emerging shadow order. However, the conflict has also exposed significant socio-economic vulnerabilities in the region, particularly regarding food security. Interestingly, this war has allowed countries in the Middle East to assume a mediating role in Europe, marking a significant shift in the global order. However, military alignment with the US continues to impose certain limitations on their approach.

The conflict has accelerated Gulf states’ pre-existing moves toward economic self-reliance and diversification. The Gulf states have substantially increased their exports to the European Union, especially in oil, food, and various other products, while maintaining and even growing their hydrocarbon trade relationships with Russia post-2022. The region has emerged as a key intermediary in global trade flows, with some European countries routing their Russian trade through intermediaries.

The normative impact of the war has been particularly significant in the Arab world. While the US framed the Ukraine conflict as a litmus test for the Western global order, Middle Eastern countries viewed it more as a European regional security issue. As the events in Ukraine and Gaza unfold simultaneously, many in the region view this as international double standards in responding to similar situations. Principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity have been the basis for condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the same standards are not applied to Israel as it continues to expand its illegal settlements and kill Palestinian civilians. Hence, the region’s neutrality in Russia’s war on Ukraine highlights a broader desire to shift away from a Western and Euro-centric global power structure.

Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine has become the catalyst for a qualitative change of tone in the Russian-Iranian dialogue, bringing the two states closer together. This step-change in Russian-Iranian relations was not solely prompted by the war in Ukraine. Various factors prepared the ground for this change, including Russia’s unprecedentedly high level of confrontation with the West, the pressure of sanctions on both the Russian and Iranian economies, Putin’s ‘turn to the east’ strategy, the dim prospects of the JCPOA, the rise of conservatives in Iran, and the growing chemistry between the power circles of the two countries. The war in Ukraine has forced Russia into a position of dependence on Iran for arms. This puts Tehran on a more equal footing in their relationship, and nudges the bilateral dialogue closer to becoming an axis than before. However, the long-term ‘durability’ of this change is still in question due to a considerable number of issues that the two countries need to settle.

Considering Turkey’s geo-strategic location, it has emerged as a critical actor. While it has condemned Russian aggression and deepened military cooperation with Ukraine even during the time of the conflict, it continues to maintain ties with Russia in other areas, which puts stress on its relations with Western partners.

When addressing the issue of the end-game scenario in Ukraine, there was an emerging consensus among the panelists that a purely military victory for Ukraine may be unrealistic. The focus has shifted toward leveraging diplomatic tools, including discussions of Ukraine joining NATO and negotiations over long-range weapons. Though this war is situated in Europe, it has had global consequences. From a security perspective, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has revealed that the post-Cold War security order is collapsing. This transition to a new security order, one that is more multipolar, is marked by the US’s declining unilateral hegemony and a change in Europe’s role in the world.

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Article written by CIRS Research Assistant
