Special Event: Egypt and the Politics of the Middle East Professor Robert Bowker

Hosted by: co hosted by the CMSS, RUSI-WA

The event will start on: Thursday, 17 March 2011 5:00 PM

And will end on: Thursday, 17 March 2011 7:00 PM

At The University of Western Australia

35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009 ,

Posted by: wa   

Dr Robert Bowker, Adjunct Professor, CAIS, ANU

Egypt is on the brink of a new political era, reflecting the significant changes that have taken place in the society, economy and political culture of the country over the past three decades. Triggered by events in Tunisia, and now affecting the entire Arab World, a process has begun in which established authoritarian regimes are facing popular demands for empowerment. The forces driving the demands for change present new opportunities for the Arab World. But there are also significant risks arising from the uncertain political directions that Egypt, and possibly some other Arab countries may take in the period ahead.

Dr Robert Bowker has been Adjunct Professor in the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (the Middle East and Central Asia) since July 2008. He retired from the Australian Foreign Service in June 2008 after a 37 year career specializing in Middle East and Islamic issues. He was Australian ambassador to Egypt (2005-2008) and Jordan (1989-1992), in addition to postings in Syria (1979-1981) and Saudi Arabia (1974-1976). He was accredited from Cairo as non-resident ambassador to Sudan, Libya, Syria and Tunisia. In 1997-98 he was Director, External Relations and Public Information of UNRWA, based in Gaza and Jerusalem.