AURAK Explores the Politics of the Arabic Peninsula

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) School of Graduate Studies and Research featured the research of Professor Peter Robert Woodard, “The Arabian Peninsula: Challenges on its Western Flank” in a public lecture.

Professor Woodward is an Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Reading, and has taught Political Science at University of Khartoum, University of Natal Durban, and American University in Cairo. He has served as Voluntary Service Overseas in Sudan, consulted on African affairs for agencies including the FCO/DFID of the UK, the US House of Representatives, and the US State Department, advised the Sudan Unit FCO/DFID of the UK concerning Sudan elections in 2010, served as rapporteur for Sudan peace talks at the Carter Center in 1993, chaired constitutional talks on Sudan for the International Dialogues Foundation, Durham in 1999, and authored , , , , and .

His research concerns the increased involvement in military and commercial developments in the West coast of the Red Sea and East Africa. Two outstanding conflicts encouraged this development: the growth of Somalia-based piracy and the conflict in Yemen. This paper reviews the political situation from Somalia to Egypt by outlining domestic, regional, and wider international developments.

AURAK Humanities and Social Sciences Department Chair, Dr. Robert Arthur, found “There is a lot going on in the region, and it was so interesting to have a holistic view of these conflicts.”

AURAK President, Professor Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, was pleased with Dr. Woodward’s lecture, “Initiatives driven to provide students with expert insight on global events are essential to any curriculum producing graduates capable of solving larger, world-wide issues. AURAK will always support endeavors such as these.”