Sports Diplomacy in the Middle East
b'Sports play an important role in bridging divides throughout the world, including in the Arab region. They help people of all ages and walks of life learn to work together toward a common goal, play fairly by a set of agreed rules, and understand how to accept both victory and defeat. Moreover, sports can help Americans and Arabs exchange cultural values, improve understanding, develop empathy, and promote inclusion. On May 19, 2020, The Washington, D.C.-based National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations and the Riyadh-based King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies convened a virtual roundtable discussion on "Sports Diplomacy in the Middle East." Participants were HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Ms. Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, Mr. Mark Clark, Mr. Kemp Gouldin, Mr. Ryan Murphy, Mr. Hozaifa Al-Maleh, Dr. Heidi A. Alaskary, Dr. John Duke Anthony, and Mr. Joshua Yaphe.'