What impact will Trump have on the Middle East?
On Wednesday 23 November the Lords International Relations Committee will turn its attention to the impact of Donald Trump's US election victory on the future of the Middle East, as part of its inquiry into the transformation of power in the region.
It will also explore issues such as Brexit, the UK's influence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and whether the UK's strategic alliances in the region should change.
The Committee's inquiry is looking at economic, political and social trends in the region and examining the implications for UK Government policy.
At 10.30am the first witness to give evidence will be the Lord Williams of Baglan, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon; former UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, and former UNSG Special Advisor on the Middle East.
Then at 11:30am Mr Ayham Kamel, Director, Middle East and North Africa, Eurasia Group and Ms Jane Kinninmont, Deputy Head and Senior Research Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House, will give evidence.
Questions which will be put to both sets of witnesses could include:
- What will the new US President's focus be in the Middle East?
- Is there a likely clash with the UK's position in the region?
- Does the UK have any alternative but to ally itself with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey in the region?
- What will be the impact of Brexit on the UK policies in the region?
- How will a Trump presidency approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
The sessions will start at 10:30am on Wednesday 23 November, and be held in Committee Room 3A of the House of Lords.