James M. Dorsey Keynote Speaker

• Middle East Dynamics

The Middle East likes the limelight, even if it’s for the wrong reasons. Paradigm-shifting wars, extremist violence, political transitions, and increased abuse of human rights dominate the news. The developments, coupled with the fall-out of the US-China rivalry and US President Donald Trump’s policies, force regional players to rethink their alliances and positioning on the international stage, no more so than in Israel, whose standing has been severely battered, and Saudi Arabia as it transits from a secretive medieval kingdom into a modern nation state. James puts these dramatic developments in a unique perspective.

• The Battle for the Soul of Islam

The Battle for the Soul of Islam pits major moderate Middle Eastern and Asian Muslim-majority states against one another in a struggle to control the definition of Islam in the 21st century. The outcome of this battle will significantly empower the winner, or winners, to wield religious soft power, secure leadership of the Islamic world, and project strategic influence worldwide. It will determine which notions of a ‘moderate Islam’ will prevail, including the degree to which they embrace religious and political pluralism, tolerance, gender equality, secularism, and human rights, and integrate these values into their domestic and foreign policy agendas. Ultimately, the battle for the soul of Islam will significantly impact how Muslims worldwide understand and practice their faith. Waged in diverse arenas across the globe, this complex religious and geopolitical struggle will play a significant role in determining the prospects for peace and security not only in the vast region extending from the Atlantic coast of Africa to the Philippines but also in the United States and Europe.

• The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer

Militant, highly politicized, street battle-hardened soccer fans have long challenged the Middle East and North Africa’s erstwhile colonial and current autocratic rulers. Their prominent role is rooted in the sports’ association with politics, going back to the creation of the region’s many storied clubs. Inspired by founders, who often defined themselves as anarchists, militant fans see their struggle as one for justice, dignity, and freedom, and against autocracy, corruption, abuse, and repression. The fans’ heyday was the 2011 popular Arab revolts, when they played a key role in the toppling of the leaders of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen. Increased repression and brutal wars have kept fans off the streets in the 2020s. So have massive Gulf investments in sports, such as the Qatar World Cup and Saudi Arabia’s mindboggling acquisition of some of the world’s top players and massive investments in sports. The acquisitions and investments are as much about economic diversification as they are about bread and circuses for the people. Regional stability is key to the Gulf rulers’ ability to implement top-down reforms successfuly. Achieving stability is proving to be a tall order with little prospect for a resolution of debilitating conflicts like the Israeli Palestinian dispute and Iranian regional and nuclear ambitions, and the risk of a trauamtised generation with little to lose in countries like Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Libya turning violent.