Mednicoff completes lecture and research tour in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain

David Mednicoff, assistant professor in the Department of Legal Studies and the Center for Public Policy and Administration, in early May concluded a week-long speaking and research tour of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

During the tour, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, Mednicoff spoke on “International law, Arab politics and U.S. Foreign Policy,” at the Riyadh Institute of Diplomatic Studies, a think tank under the aegis of the Saudi Arabian ministry of foreign affairs. In Riyadh, he also met with lawyers and professors of Islamic law as part of his ongoing research into Arab ideas of the rule of law and their connection to contemporary politics. In addition, Mednicoff spoke with Saudi journalists, businessmen and religious educators about enhancing Islamic studies at UMass Amherst.

In Bahrain, Mednicoff gave a talk on “U.S. Policy in the Middle East after 11/7/06” (referring to last year’s Congressional mid-term elections) at the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research, the country’s leading think tank. The talk was attended by several ambassadors and government officials, and covered by three national newspapers. He also gave a public lecture on the same topic, and spoke to American studies students at the University of Bahrain on “International Human Rights Law and Contemporary Arab Politics.” While in Bahrain, Mednicoff met with the country’s minister of justice and Islamic affairs, other government officials and lawyers, along with members of two international teams of Western-based democracy aid organizations.

“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to exchange ideas with a diverse range of influential Saudis and Bahrainis, and to see from the inside these interesting and important contemporary Arab countries,” Mednicoff said. “The range of political debate and reform taking place throughout the Persian Gulf is quite significant, but easily clouded by stereotypes about Arab politics and Islam. In particular, Saudi Arabia, a place that is difficult for most Americans to visit, offers a fascinating array of intellectual ideas and alternatives within the confines of a society very concerned about traditional values.”

Mednicoff’s tour of the two countries comes towards the end of his residence in Doha, Qatar, where he has been a Fulbright Professor teaching and researching in the international affairs program at the University of Qatar.

Mednicoff is no stranger to the Middle East, having studied Arabic, Hebrew, Persian and Turkish, and having resided previously in Egypt, Israel and Morocco. Mednicoff’s research generally considers connections among Middle Eastern political ideas and institutions, international law and U.S. foreign policy.

May 16, 2007.