The U.S. Institute of Peace hosts an on-the-record roundtable discussion for Professor Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, President of the Middle East Research Institute (MERI), Samuel Morris, Research Fellow at MERI and Elie Abouaoun, Director of Middle East Programs at USIP. The roundtable will discuss a host of topics related to conflict in Iraq and the wider region, disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, the war on ISIL, as well as, the refugee crisis and the current status of minorities in Iraqi Kurdistan. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 10:00 am – 11:30 am at USIP Headquarters office, located at 2301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20037.
Iraq’s Turmoil: Trends and Analysis From Actors on the Ground
Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
USIP Headquarters office, 2301 Constitution Ave NW,
Washington, D.C., 20037
Below are recent MERI publications that outline research related to the panel discussion:
MERI is an independent, not-for-profit organization, focused on policy issues relating to the people, the land and the system of governance in the Middle East in general, and Kurdistan and Iraq in particular. It is based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Their mission is to contribute to the process of nation building and democratization in the Middle East via engagement, research, analysis and policy debates. With the objectives of promoting human rights, democracy, good governance, the rule of law and social and economic prosperity.
Professor Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, President of Middle East Research Institute
Founding President of the Middle East Research Institute, former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Kurdistan Regional Government (2009-2012), and Professor of Medicine in Nottingham University, UK. Dlawer has been involved since 1992 in supporting the nation-building and capacity building projects in Kurdistan Region. In October 2009, he joined Dr Barham Salih’s Cabinet of Kurdistan Regional Government as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (until 5 April, 2012). He initiated an ambitious program to radically reform the system of Higher Education in Kurdistan. The program focused on improving quality of higher education and training, preparing Universities for independence, modernizing research, reforming the governance system to achieve social justice, equal opportunities and gender equality.
Samuel Morris Research Fellow, Middle East Research Institute
During his time at MERI he has led research projects on Kirkuk and the Disputed Territories and Security Sector Reform. Previously, Sam worked as Project Director of The Next Century Foundation, a foreign policy group focused on second track negations and on dialogue for conflict resolution and war avoidance throughout the Middle East. Sam obtained his MSc in Middle East Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London.
Dr. Elie Abouaoun, Director of Middle East Programs, USIP
Elie recently returned from a trip to Iraq, where he and USIP’s leadership met with a range of Iraqi government representatives including Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, President Fuad Masoum and Speaker of Parliament Salim al-Jubouri, as well as Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani.
The delegation also met representatives of civil society, minority groups, the U.S. government, and the international community, as well as Iraqis who have been displaced by the conflict with ISIL. He will share his vast experience and relay those issues he found most pressing.
MERI publications relevant to the conversation: Policy Report “The Future of Kirkuk: A Roadmap for Resolving the Status of the Province” Initiating a dialogue on the future of the displaced population in the Kurdistan Region
The event will take place at 10am, October 14th 2015, at USIP Headquarters office, located at 2301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. Please RSVP to Serena Rasoul at SRasoul@usip.org by Monday, COB October 12th.
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