MANAMA: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The United States of America has a myopic view of culturally rich Gulf States with history spans over thousands of years, says a US Congressman.
Congressman Michael D. Bishop, the Association of Former Members of Congress, who replying to a question during a live on Derasat Webinar Zoom meeting on Wednesday, saying that there was a need to educate the US public and policy makers about the Gulf countries.
Titled, the role of Think Tanks in developing policy positions and priorities, the event was organized by the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) in cooperation with the US Embassy in Manama.
Dr. Omar Al-Ubaydli, Director of Studies and Research, (Derasat) hosted the event and shed light on the importance of think tanks in the US and how this model is being replicated by many countries to establish a world-class institutions.
He said that the free flow of information between thin tanks of the US and Bahrain would benefit the people of both sides by sharing their knowledge and data about their respective areas of specailisation.
Congressman Bishop was joined by Congressman Bobby R. Etheridge, the Association of Former Members Congress, said that in US we have a very myopic view of the world in the US, thousands and thousands years rich history of the Gulf countries. “We need a free flow of information so that we can educate Americans about this rich history.”
Congressman Michael D. Bishop, the Association of Former Members of Congress as a panelist highlighted the importance of think tanks and their contribution and importance in public policy formation as a source for legislature in the US.
Congressman Bishop, who is the founder and President of American General Counsel PLC, is also Co-President of iPSE-US, a national association of independent professionals.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain can collaborate and learn from the expertise and experience and rich knowledge base of around 2000 think tanks across the United States of America,” Congressman Bobby Etheridge, said.
Congressman Etheridge was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1978 serving as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee from 1984-1988. He introduced the Basic Education Plan, which focused on providing millions of dollars to the public school budget, establishing a core curriculum for all students in K-12.
The Congressman also touched upon the role of think tanks in developing and reshaping the US education landscape and said that think tanks and the universities across the US have had played a major role in shaping up the educational curricula.
Congressman Etheridge while highlighting the impact of the economic constraints and possible closure of think tanks and media houses said that since 2004 around 1800 newspapers, periodicals and publications have been shut. “This presents a very grim picture for think tanks and other research institute in the wake of the economic fallout of the pandemic COVOID-19.
Sharing Congressman Etheridge’s thoughts, Congressman Bishop said he was skeptical about the possible Government help financial help to salvage the situation for think tanks as the US debt has risen to a record of $26trillion and yet the pandemic is unabated.
Both the Congressmen highlighted the scope of think tanks as a resource for the US legislatures, the possible economic impact on these research institutions due to the economic fallout of the pandemic which has hit the global economy hard.
The rapidly emerging new landscape of digital media and over influence by the social media and its ramifications on the think tanks as resources of information for public policy were few but important aspects of flow of information that has eclipsed the role and scope of educational, research and other institutions which used to play a key role in public policy formation in the US.
Derasat is an independent think tank in the Kingdom of Bahrain established in 2009, that analyses and researches strategic developments on a national, regional and global scale that have relevance to Bahrain’s stability, prosperity and sustainability.
Derasat is dedicated to encouraging the use of research and dialogue to inform policy makers and interest groups and to increase understanding of current and emerging international issues.
In today’s rapidly changing world of opportunities and challenges, Derasat help to build bridges between differing perspectives, create forums for open debate, use strategic insight to enhance understanding and promote new thinking that can generate creative solutions for our future peace, security and stability.
Omar Al-Ubaydli is Director of Studies and Research, and Director of Economics and Energy Studies. He previously worked as an Assistant Professor of Economics at George Mason University, USA, as well as being a member of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s Joint Advisory Board of Economists. Dr. Al-Ubaydli received his BA in Economics from the University of Cambridge (Queens’ College) and his MA and PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago. Dr. Al-Ubaydli’s research has been published in several international, peer-reviewed journals and has been featured by media outlets including the Economist magazine.
