Abu-Lughod alumni, students present analyses on global, Arab political affairs

Graduates and students of the Master’s in International Studies Program, offered by the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies at Birzeit University, presented papers in which they analyzed political phenomena affecting the Arab countries and the world as a whole in a symposium organized by the institute on Saturday, December 8, 2018.

The symposium, hosted together with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, represents the culmination of a 3-month course held by the institute on political analysis. Lord Habash, director of the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies, said in her opening remarks that the institute is always engaged in developing and building the research capacities of its students and graduates, and emphasized the relations the institute maintains with its graduates.

The symposium featured two sessions. The first, entitled “International Affairs: Future Perspectives” and chaired by Nardeen Al-Mimi, included four papers. The first two, “Factsheet: The American Sanctions on Iran - Stages and Results” and “A Policy Paper: The American Sanctions on Iran,” were prepared by Ruba Maswadeh, Hala Dodeen, Ansar Hab al-Reeh, and Isra’ Obiad.

The third paper, entitled “The Future of the National Rally in France: Constitutional Legitimacy and Popular Adoption” was authored by Roxana Salameh and Baha’ Twam, while the fourth paper, entitled “The Future of the Chinese Power,” was prepared by Jehad Badawi, Ali Shubaita, and Ma’ali Hussein.

The second session, entitled “Arab Affairs: Future Perspectives,” was chaired by Sa’d Karazoun, and featured four papers. The first, entitled “The War on Yemen: Future Scenarios,” was authored by Ku’aiba Ishtayeh, Nimer Ash’al, Hind Kurdi, Abdelqader Ghannam, and Shumo’ Hassan. The second paper, entitled “Factsheet: Israeli-Indian Relations and Their Dangers to the Arab Countries,” was prepared by Manal Allan and Mohammad Ja’bari.

The third and fourth papers, entitled “A Position Paper: Rejecting Naturalization of Relations with Israel” and “Consequences of Palestine’s Withdrawal from the Paris Economic Agreement,” were authored by Carmen Kishek, Wisam Abu Tyor, Amani Abu Mahfouth, Mas’oud Abu Reda, Shireen Al Khateeb, and Aseel Eid.

At the end of the symposium, certificates of attendance were given to the participants.