A writer for the Economist since 1989, Rodenbeck covers the Middle East region from Morocco to Iran and has reported on a wide range of topics including business, politics, pop culture and ter­rorism. ��In addition, Rodenbeck’s work has fueled many popular discussions about the Middle East, and he has participated as a speaker at a variety of international forums. ��He is considered one of the foremost experts on today’s Middle East, and in addition to a wide readership in the Economist, he is regularly used as a source for the international media on all matters related to the region.��

Rodenbeck’s presentation is sponsored by the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research and Studies, which aims to advance public knowledge and awareness about issues of interest to both the United States and Saudi Arabia, including bilateral relations, security, culture and the economy. ��The program sponsors or co-sponsors public presentations by distinguished scholars and practitioners, an annual forum, student fellowships and research activities.

For more information visit:

��

The name of the PMBF Program, which was established in 2012,��reflects its partnership with Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Members of the university’s administration, along with Prince Mohammad bin Fahd, gathered April 18 to formally acknowledge the program.

Hitt said: ��“Together, we aim to better equip the students of both institutions for the future, and to provide them with greater understanding of our two nations, our challenges, and our opportunities.”

The PMBF Program has already been working toward its goal of advancing public awareness and knowledge about the United States-Saudi Arabia relationship this year at �鶹ԭ��. Gary Grappo, former U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister Counselor to Saudi Arabia and former U.S. Ambassador to Oman, visited �鶹ԭ�� in March to discuss America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Author and journalist Thomas W. Lippman shared insights, also in March, about that relationship in the greater context of the Middle East. Videos of both presentations are available at .

Other events include a presentation about economic realities in the Middle East by PMBF Program associate director David Dumke at the Central Florida Global Economic Forum on April 9. Two days later, John O. Voll, associate director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, spoke on Islam and democracy in the 21st century.

Those interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to watch the website for updates, email its program coordinator, Amal Khan, or stop by Howard Phillips Hall, Room 202.

Voll’s presentation is a feature of the Al Ghazali Islamic Studies Program, which promotes the understanding and appreciation of Islam and Muslim communities, and the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research and Studies, which seeks to advance public awareness and cultural ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The event is free and open to the public.

Voll, author of “Islam: Continuity and Change in the Modern World,” has lived in Lebanon, Egypt and Sudan, and has traveled extensively throughout the Muslim world. In 1991, he received an Egyptian Presidential Medal in recognition for scholarship on Islam. Voll has served on the boards of directors of the American Council of Learned Societies, the New Hampshire Humanities Council, the New Hampshire Council on World Affairs and the Sudan Studies Association. In addition, Voll has edited, authored or co-written multiple books, including “Makers of Contemporary Islam,” in collaboration with John Esposito.

Voll’s program is made possible by the Al Ghazali Islamic Studies Program, housed in the �鶹ԭ�� Global Perspectives Office, in partnership with the �鶹ԭ�� College of Arts and Humanities, with the support of the �鶹ԭ�� Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd Program for Strategic Research and Studies, �鶹ԭ�� Middle Eastern Studies Program, �鶹ԭ�� Political Science Department and the Global Perspectives Foundation.