Friday, October 14, 2011

The Saudi ambassador in DC

During a class we took (`Adil Jubayr (current Saudi ambassador in US) and I among others) on International Relations in the Middle East with Michael Hudson at Georgetown University, we all had to make presentations about our research papers.  When it was time for Jubayr to make his presentation, he proceeded to do a propaganda gig for the Saudi royal family.  I remember that Michael, very patiently and kindly, trying to explain to his student that we are not supposed to do propaganda roles for governments in our papers or in the class room.  I remember that Jubayr looked stunned and disappointed: a look that stayed with him for the semester.