What is the American view of the Middle East? Lords to ask diplomat think tanks
The House of Lords Committee on International Relations will next week hold three evidence sessions in its inquiry into the transformation of power in the Middle East. The Committee will explore attitudes to the Middle East in the US, particularly following the election of President Trump.
The sessions will also cover UK influence in the region including whether better use can be made of digital communications to engage with young people after the Arab Spring.
The evidence sessions will start at 10:30am on Wednesday 22 February in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords. Giving evidence to the Committee will be:
- 10:30am Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Project
- 11:30am Tom Fletcher, Former UK Ambassador to Lebanon (via video link)
- 2:00pm Mark Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, IISS Americas (via video link)
In the first session with Mr Levy the Committee will focus on the viability of the two-state solution and whether alternatives should now be sought, the likelihood that the Trump administration can make progress on the Middle East peace process and how the UK can continue to have influence in the Middle East once it leaves the EU.
In the session with Mr Fletcher questions will touch on how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can up its game in digital diplomacy and engaging with young people in the Middle East and whether the UK's support for Lebanon provides a model for wider engagement in the Middle East.
The final session will focus on the Trump administration's attitude to Iran and the nuclear deal, whether a sustainable deal can be delivered without US support and what is likely to happen when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear programme ends in either 2025 or 2030.
