Went to a talk given by Prof. Greg Gause on the new cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia for control of the Middle East. Both of these countries are seeking to manipulate the multitude of weak states in the region. By weak state, Prof Gause means those states that have weak State and societal underpinnings. It is not measured by military strength. Iraq is a weak state; Qatar and Kuwait, are relatively strong states with money to influence other nations politically. Turkey which is a relatively strong state, both militarily and politically has baulked at exercising hard power in relation to Syria.
Also sat in on a talk by Jeffrey Goldberg a veteran Middle East journalist. He says that ISIS has completely changed the dynamic for Western journalists. Previously, western journalists were given protected status because of their access to global audience. ISIS has forever dismantled this through its targeting of journalists for beheadings. Jeffrey's latest piece can be accessed at
Before the Beheadings
He also wrote an amazing article about Security Theater and the sham of Homeland Security
Security Theater
Also attended a talk put on by the Palestinian Caucus From MLK, to Mandela, to…Palestine? The Palestinian national struggle in a civil rights framework A talk by Rami Khouri
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