of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.

This conference will explore the theme of understanding the impact of oil wealth in the development and evolution of the Middle East to better grasp the future of Central Asian economies, politics, and society. Specialists will give presentations on such topics as the emergence of private entrepreneurs, the growth

of corruption, and the transformation of traditional societies.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will encourage interaction between the speakers and the audience.

Opening Remarks (Ellis Goldberg)

Craig Zumbrunnen, Professor, Geography, University of Washington

Jean-Francois Seznec, Adjunct Professor, Columbia; and Associate

of the Lafayette Group, CT

Amy Jaffe, Professor, James Baker III Institute, Rice University

Hal Feiveson, Professor, Center for Energy and Environmental Studies, Princeton University

Ellis Goldberg, Associate Professor, Political Science and

Director, Middle East Center, University of Washington

Terri DeYoung, Chair

Dale F. Eickelman, Professor, Anthropology, Dartmouth University

Gwenn Okruhlik, Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville

Shafeeq N. Ghabra, Director, Kuwait Office of Information,

State of Kuwait Embassy, Washington, D.C.

Thomas Goltz, freelance journalist and author of Azerbaiijan Diary and

Anatoly Khazanov, University of Wisconsin-Madison