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March 19 – April 3, 2009 with Former Secretary of State, James A. Baker III '52 and Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies. Discuss the complex relationship between the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations during this special program.

In 2005, Princeton Journeys participated in a World Leaders Symposium in the Baltic Sea that brought together high-ranking officials, brilliant academics, and other dignitaries to discuss the end of the Cold War and the current state of affairs in that region. Princeton Journeys is pleased to announce another opportunity to study a region along with key political, intellectual, and diplomatic figures.

Embark on a journey to the Middle East, March 19 – April 3, 2009, to explore the complexities of Middle East culture, politics, and history, and travel with a distinguished group of guest speakers, including:

• James A. Baker III '52, co-chair of the Iraq Study Group and former U.S. Secretary of State;


• William Perry, former U.S. Secretary of Defense;


• Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies and director of Princeton's Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia as well as the Oil, Energy and the Middle East Project of the Princeton Environmental Institute.

Together, with other distinguished leaders, they will provide insight and perspective on the modern history and contemporary politics of this region.

Traveling aboard the privately chartered Silver Wind, one of the highest-rated luxury ships afloat, experience the variety of the Middle East. Gaze at the futuristic cityscape of Dubai, UAE; visit Damman Well No. 7, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where oil was first discovered in the Gulf in 1938, propelling this region toward unimaginable wealth and rapid development; and marvel at the fascinating archaeological sites of the Dilmun civilization located just outside Manama, Bahrain. Venture to the oil-rich, cosmopolitan urban center of Kuwait City, Kuwait, where colorful elements of Bedouin culture such as fierce camel races are enjoyed to this day; discover the traditional falcon market, treasure-laden souk, and picturesque waterfront corniche in Doha, Qatar; and admire the spectacular Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman. Through exclusive regional connections, experience special, behind-the-scenes access to key sites and meetings with local dignitaries that will enhance understanding of the complex relationship between the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations.

Please note: This program will be shared with travelers from various other organizations and institutions, including the Alumnae Association of Smith College, American Museum of Natural History, Commonwealth Club of California, Harvard Alumni Association, Rice Alumni, Smithsonian Journeys, Stanford Travel Study, and World Affairs Council. An optional post-trip extension to Israel is being planned.

About the Study Leaders
A team of enrichment lecturers will be joining this program. Two lecturers have Princeton connections. Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III '52 will join travelers for a portion of the cruise. Professor Bernard Haykel will serve as Princeton study leader throughout.

James A. Baker III '52 served as White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Treasury under Ronald Reagan and Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush. A longtime White House advisor on Middle East policy, he recently served as co-chair of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan congressional panel convened to assess the situation in Iraq and provide recommendations for U.S. policy.

Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, directs the Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia as well as the Oil, Energy and the Middle East Project of the Princeton Environmental Institute. He is an advisor to the British and U.S. governments on Islamic and Middle Eastern affairs.

To make a reservation, contact Princeton Journeys at (609) 258-8686 or journeys@princeton.edu.

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