Martin Keulertz, Assistant Professor at the American University of Beirut, discusses the challenges the MENA region faces in achieving food security and discusses possible ways to address those challenges. Most importantly, the outlook can be optimistic with attention to key issues and the development of new strategies.

Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, discusses the innovation solutions that could be applied to improving food security in the Middle East & North Africa. She focuses on deploying small scale technological innovations, the importance of learning from older techniques, and the utilization of local, native crop varieties.

Charlotte Karam, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Associate Dean of Programs, Olayan School of Business at the American University of Beirut discusses the strategies used to bring together business stakeholders for the promotion of peace. For example, in some areas, businesses are starting to look beyond traditional customer relationships and are engaging other groups […]

Independent researcher and consultant Catherine Long discusses the various models of engagement that recent U.S. administrations have pursued in relations with the Greater Horn of Africa. For example, she discusses the transition from U.S. aid having good governance conditionality to inclusion of trade goals to newer programs focused on specific health and infrastructure projects.  

Rakiya Omaar, the Director of the Horizon Institute – Somaliland, discusses the Somali perspective on what new actors such as Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bring to the table in Somalia in comparison to traditional actors such as the United States.  

Awad Mustafa, National Security Correspondent for The National, discusses both successful and unsuccessful examples of investment by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in to the Greater Horn of Africa.  

Dr. Alp Özerdem, Co-Director of the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University, discusses the motivations and activities of traditional actors such as the United States in contrast to newer actors such as Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in the Greater Horn of Africa. He specifically elaborates on the […]

On November 7-8, 2016, the Hollings Center sponsored a meeting for 40 Iraqi cultural heritage specialists at the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage (IICAH) in Erbil, Iraq. The meeting, organized by IICAH Executive Director Brian Lione, resulted in conversations on what the specific needs of Iraqi cultural heritage specialists are in […]

Mai E’leimat, Director of Research and Fundraising for Al Hayat Center for Civil Society Development, discusses the techniques used by her organization to promote counter-radicalization and offers advice for other organizations looking to accomplish similar goals. She also specifically discusses programs aimed at women.  

Rahma Dualeh, the Director of Frontline Consult: African Solutions for African Challenges, discusses the international community’s response to extremist violence in East Africa. Specifically, she explains how violent extremism in East Africa differs from that of the Middle East, and offers suggestions for how the international community can tailor its response and resources to these […]