It comes from the same route as democracy and autocracy is about a hook about the study of power. This is a study of Donald Trumps power how do you get it how do you obtain it and how does he get away with it . Its a system of enabling system between trump and congress and a system between the media that enabled him to create an audience and a system that involves the republican donor elite in the Traditional Republican Party and above all him and the core group of his voters within the Republican Party who enabled him to win the republican nomination. How do you respond to president comes fbi appointee saying that the memo he has read should be released could pose a grave danger to the country . Let me step back for a second. First of all let me tell you what this memo is and what this memo is not. What this memo is congress doing its job in conducting legitimate oversight over a unique law, fisa and if mistakes are made and individuals did something wrong than it is our job as the branch of government to conduct oversight if abuses are made. Remember fisa is a unique situation which involves americas Civil Liberties and of american Civil Liberties were abused then backed needs to come to light so that doesnt happen again. What this is not is an indictment on our institutions of our justice system. This memo is not an indictment of the fbi, the department of justice. It does not impede and the Mueller Investigation or the Deputy Attorney general. What it is is that congress is legitimate function of oversight to make sure the fisa process is being used correctly and if it wasnt being used correctly that needs to come to light and people need to be held accountable so we do not have problems again. This does not affect our Civil Liberties. [inaudible conversations] good morning everybody. Welcome to the American Enterprise institute. Sorry for the brief delay that i think you will find this conversation extraordinarily interesting. Delighted welcome excuse my pronunciation. The deputy Prime Minister and 2017 he is responsible for all of the administrative Foreign Affairs issues including planning implementing foreignpolicy and he is here for a series of highlevel conversations with the department of defense the department of state and the white house and we are looking forward to hearing all of the details. What is going to happen today is the minister will join us at the podium for a brief statement of dennys going to sit down on the stage with our visiting fellow andrew bowen for conversation which will then open up to questions from the audience. There is a lot to talk about here today. He has been at the center of what we would all agree is a ugly disagreement among gcc countries and others one that has divided traditional u. S. Allies and sow divisions i think even within the u. S. Government. So we are really interested in hearing your perspective mr. Minister. Be careful on the steps and please join us on the stage. Thank you for inviting me today. I hope i can shed light on some of the issues that are taking place in our region which is affecting also the u. S. Interest and i hope i can propose some ideas for a way forward. We have been allies for 45 years. We have dozens of agreements that memorialize their commitment to each other. This week we started the strategic dialogue. Additional agreement including defending the Cybersecurity Infrastructure for energy strengthening trade investments in technology, developing International Law enforcement to stop trafficking and continue joint commitments. It has not been welcomed with wider arms. We have a unique partnership. When the u. S. Today its the largest u. S. Base in the world. In qatar troops thousands of u. S. Teachers and students have hundreds of u. S. Foreign companies are living and working in qatar. Qatar and the u. S. Are strategically located. We are surrounded by powerful players. Some of these nations are bent on intimidation aggression. Make no mistake these powers are feuding for domination. The suffering inflicted by these powerhungry forces and the starvation and devastation in places like syria and citizens within dominating regimes is also being sacrificed. Its one of many instruments of sabotage intended to bring my country under submission. The world is discovering that the blockading states illegal market manipulation humanitarian assault silencing and weapon i sing propaganda and undermining the global fight against terrorism. These intimidation methods and there is a Silver Lining of this blockade. We are able to show resilience. Other countries in the middle east might not be able to understand as we have seen example after example across the region. We join the u. S. For restoring regional security. The regional and shortterm aggression is happening before our eyes along a spectrum of devastation. The longterm danger of aggression will eventually countries around the globe. They will stop at nothing intentional international destabilization of energy and Financial Markets and laying the groundwork for the next generation of terrorism. Terrorism oppresses where the needs and rights of citizens are many reckless leader surrounding us with oppressive means of governance in the middle east hope to keep a nation that can provide justice and security. As i told the secretary the u. S. Is a critical part of that. Ending the turmoil in the middle east will take further leadership joint cooperation from all countries in the middle east. If necessary to restore security in the region. Qatar and the u. S. Have been fighting terrorism together for many years. We agree that terrorism must not only be destroyed for military efforts but also by lifting up oppressed with optimism and hope hope. With lasting social transformations. Imposing reform and development under the power of law is detrimental to the u. S. And the other 72 members of the coalition against isis has spent years. We dont point to find ourselves in the same situation again and again. We need to Work Together to complete terrorism propaganda and extremist ideologies. Leadership means putting aside personal feelings to help the good of the people. It is our hope that gcc can the citizens of qatar are resilient people. We cant ignore the historic fight it in the countries of the gcc and the cultural and financial ties that can actually make a stronger. Qatar hopes to restore gcc and based on shared interests like trade and security. That gcc would need to have a clear process for racing and resolving the crisis and would need to be force compliance with regard to foreignpolicy and domestic affairs. He would need to be governed by impulse and would need to serve in the best interest of all of its members. Regarding the middle east region we cannot these devastated areas unless more pressure is put on powerhungry players and a security plan is established across the region. The security plan must find Common Ground that includes an arbitration mechanism that gives small and large nations equal protection and provides a sequence is for those who create crisis. I hope the International Community will join me for an immediate dialogue to agree on common principles. Which can cause healing and prosperity for the region. Thank you. [applause] touching on a point that you stress the future that we look at like you are in kuwait this past summer and i believe this was the first time yourself and his highness were with your gcc counterparts in many months and the meeting ended quite abruptly. Has there have been, and there has certainly been with your visit here has there have been any indication of you seeing any optimism on the potential resolution or dialogue whether that be convened by President Trump or more specifically convened by kuwait or are we still at an impasse . When he offered to meet on the countries and accepted the invitation issued by the president for all the gcc to come to camp david to see a solution for this but when you have a conflict between parties and one of the parties is unwilling to engage in dialogue are unwilling to engage in a solution than this dialogue has no results because of the bad intentions behind it. The gcc summit was unfortunately what they believe for the first time the leaders will see each other facetoface and they have downgraded their presentation at the gcc meeting. For us we have done everything in our hands showing a solution. Do you think the number of issues that are typically have been raised by your neighbors have been everything from media to interference and qatars interference they allege a neighbors Affairs Since 2014 that if there is a dialogue it does not appear that there is much momentum or will on your neighbors side for such dialogue dialogue. Do you see that this has as a potential opportunity and first the phonecall with a mere earlier this month and then potentially hosting a camp david style summit later in the spring. Does this give a window to at least find an opportunity for doha to have a proactive window to kind of find a way to bridge some of those differences or do you think there is too much light . We consider the meeting in itself and the leaders meeting together as at least a step but it should be by their willingness. It cannot be by force. We need them to prioritize and even the secretary of state has mentioned that this is an unnecessary crisis being created created. A light can be seen at the end of the tunnel if we are agreeing in principles that all countries are equal. There is no difference between the big and the small countries. And they are obliged to fulfill the same responsibilities. We cannot with the same nature of relationship. We hope you will be restored one day. Do you see, you mentioned the mechanism or a degree of monetary accountability to rebuild the principles. Do you think at the moment the United States with the secretary of state has been quite active that there is a moment for u. S. Leadership for such a mechanism . Frankly as much as the amir of kuwait has made many efforts that those have not always been that received. In abu dhabi theres a point that they see it as a deadlock to kind of right that as a potential opportunity for washington or maybe doha to propose a set of those principles. Definitively that definition when it comes from the highest like the president himself has expressed his commitment for this crisis and he always called for conversation on the meeting with the amir. Also we need to start the adjustment process. The secretary of state who is visiting the region he proposed some proposals which can become a baseline or further negotiations. I thought he was very responsive and we sent back our commitment in what we thought about but the same thing. If its ignored by the other side we cannot have a breakthrough without them. In looking at the state of u. S. Relationship there is certainly been criticism by members whether to nikki haley about the state of and to agree the mou was not public but theres also a few in some corners of congress and others that has the mou done enough . Has a gone far enough . It think the state department has publicly supported it for the broader kind of American Public and those who were not part of those negotiations. Any way to shed some light on what is the mou and where its headed . Is it a first step to address issues on Terrorism Financing . To set the record clear the mou which was signed between qatar and the United States and the meeting between qatar and the other meeting which was signed into this process. And the gcc stopping to hinder Terrorism Financing and the Regulatory Framework and establishing clear plans with the milestone which is achieved and i believe there are some members of congress that have looked at it and they know the progress we have achieved and also there is a very Clear Mission by the state department and the other departments and counterterrorism front and theres a statement that underlying states are and we have provided a lot in this fight not unjust the terrorism fight but the military aspect. Do you see this at the state of a Temperature Check on the progress that was made by mou and is there discussion to further enhance that and do you think currently the steps that have been taken so far from washington and doha that address some of the issues that have been raised in the media versus the beginning framework . The mou is an ongoing process and something so there are some issues which can be translated and can be achieved but there are other issues with coordination which we are to have with the United States. We have a drink review between qatar and United States and for those knots am familiar with the timeframe the u. S. Task force are meeting together and everything is progressing very well. Some of it is ahead of schedule. Qatar was the first country to find an mou and there are other gcc members of the nod. Is the ideal path to eventually try to interlink to get Kuwait Kuwait to agree to the similar standards or benchmarks . It strikes me a lot of the terrorism finance issues are frankly not defined by borders but its a trans regional challenge. Its not only in qatar and the gcc countries but the evolution of this phenomenon of terrorism has been especially in the last few years. Most of these countries cannot keep up with the resolution. The gcc in the framework of the gcc was part of our agreement and gcc countries along with the United States to enhance and develop our capabilities and counterTerrorism Financing in partnership with United States and each country should carry this out bilaterally. The other countries i dont know if they are steps are. Looking at a few regional issues that open us up to the audience and one to look at is is has taken a strong supportive qatar in the uae. What are the larger vocations of a stronger relationship at the moment . First we need to understand the geography of the region. We have one land border which has been blockaded without any notification. If its the only way to supply food and medicine for the country and from the eastern side we have the uae and the territory which we are sharing together and from the other side side. Iran is the only path forward from the north. Others the border with iran surely we will have this communication. After the blockade the only way forward for our ships to bring supplies and for our people the food and medicine supplies is just through iran. We dont have any other access. This doesnt mean we have an agreement with iran policies. This is never the case for us. We dont distinguish between the economies relations in the political relations. We comply with them internationally and in politics we disagree in our politics in many cases but when it comes to we are on the other side of the declaration. When it comes to policy in iraq we are on the other side. The way forward to overcome these challenges is not on the battlefield. We are sitting together in one region. We have to reach an understanding that we should respect each others sovereignty. We should respect, we should agree on common of coexistence that no one have hostility against another country. We dont believe those should continue and the people of those countries they are the ones who are going to pay the price. Looking at the broader President Trump statement on pushing back iran and of moore and hans regional strategy. Do you see qatar with doha and centcom having a military base in the region that in light of some of dohas regional realities in dealing with the interior of iraq or lebanon or yemen that at the moment the steps to build off of the president s visit to riyadh last year that there are some tangible areas where during your visit you see opportunities to make progress on decreasing the behavior in the region . There is no military solution solution. If you will look at whats happening in areas like yemen what is the price of people of yemen are paying right now . There are more than 20 Million People in need and they are suffering from starvation. In syria more than 500,000 have been killed in syria. Iraq, a lot of people have been displaced living as refugees and they are suffering from security issues. The people of iraq and the people of yemen and the people of syria, as we continue this pressure on them and can we achieve an objective to bring iran to the table . I think we need to stop everything right now and to agree on the principle. In the end we will result in dialogue. Do you see at the moment and a space for political dialogue on yemen . There will always be a space for that but everybody shouldnt be forced into dialogue. We should stop supporting anyone who just wants to fuel the fire. This is something we have seen now out of the last few years. Our region is rich. Our region has a lot of resources and their biggest problem is security. Our people are feeling insecure and now with all these wars we dont see any positive progress. We have just seen terrorism moving around the countries. There are chaos means more terrorists and more chaos means more people in need and countries will take a longer time to rebuild themselves again and to become a country. It was announced in recent days that turkey is expanding its military commitment to qatar and certainly there has been a number of bilateral visits between ankar and doha. How do you see the direction of your relationship with doha . Do you see and what erdogans at intentions are in this relationship . First of all turkey is an important country and our region but has a very strategic location. Also if you will look at the other row relationship we have a lot of common interests together. Turkey stood with qatar when it came to supplies, when it comes to whatever support we have and we have a very Good Relationship when it comes to defense. Whatever they are announcing about the military deployment, the Turkish Military deployment in qatar this is defense cooperation that we have signed before a crisis. We signed it at the end of december 2014 and its an agreement with other forces. The same agreement as allowing them and our basis to contribute to the coalition and the natural Defense Coalition between the regions. Looking at here relationship with moscow and president putin the kind of announcement or press reporting of a potential sale of the as 400 system to doha and how a potential complication could prove to have under u. S. Treasury sanctions. Is there an area, is the value a potential defensive measure in light of the current regional environment or is this because of this balancing it navigates to a relationship washington but also with moscow or is it being overweight if this is more speculative . I can assure you of that compliance with International Law and the sanctions regime in the United States. We have a very strong relationship with the United States and we have also a relationship with other countries. Nothing yet on signing a deal or not. There is a concern certainly in washington about president putins own intentions in the region which doesnt frankly always aligned with the United States and other golf allies like in terms of welding Regional Cooperation with syria and i imagine there are quite a number differences between doha and in moscow and other issues. Such as creating an environment. The conflict in the region is continuing. Everybody would have a different interests. Thats why we need to call for a genuine Security Dialogue with forces in the region. Let us reach an understanding that keeping all other interests aside is in the interest of the people. We are just going to think about which countries influence which countries we will never. We will open to questions. Im Gardner Harris from the news york times. You seem to be having a moment in washington d. C. Right now with the Trump Administration particularly the 2 x 2 meetings this week on the positive statements from tillerson and mattis. Why is that . Why have you been able to succeed over the last few months and this spat with the arrival of the gcc and do you see the tide turning in washington in your favorite . Thank you. Our relation in partnership with the United States has always been very strong and we dont consider what we have achieved with United States something directed to our golf neighbors or a winning situation and the gulf crisis or winning situation for the other side. We see there is no winner. Our people and the gulf suffer from what we call a needless crisis. We have built a Partnership Based on trust. We have been a strong ally with the United States and they are recognizing this alliance and upgrading to a higher level which is what we have right now. We are using this opportunity as a platform to concentrate all of our efforts. We are trying to intensify this cooperation. Good morning. My question is the fact that in kuwait and has been taking a neutral role in this conflict and iran is facing some issue with employment. How are you planning to invest . You have a lot of investment around the world. Is it one of the places its a very Nice Investment areas of is that something you are thinking of in terms of Economic Issues as well . We have a very strong relationship and have established investment there. This investment is continuing and growing. We have investments in the university and we have investments in infrastructure and investments in manufacturing and also now we have a joint investment in the energy sector. Its not a big portion of art and most of all to expand. Including being one of the few countries to move forward on a bilateral memorandum of understanding. There have been criticism from both parties about this memo. Congress alleged its not tough enough they criticize the fact that its been held in secret. They question whether your country is taking the steps. Can you tell us details on steps youve taken and whether you believe this memorandum of understanding should remain secret . Thank you. This is something related to the u. S. Government. I dont know what the relationship for my meetings with the congressman i had to note that they have seen, some of them want to know the progress on it. For us as i mentioned its an ongoing process. It is something which came out as a result of the meeting between the u. S. , the United States and the gdc. Oliver countries urge to do the same. How tough were easier not enough, the goal of the u. S. Agencies are recognizing the force we dont want to be caught from the outside and for that regional purpose but the National Interest of the United States. We have seen that this propaganda is fueled by countries which are considered authorized. Theyre trying to use all the means here just to change this image and create this miss perception. Our role is reaching out to the people in the congress. They have been cooperative for the last decade. Its the u. S. Government knows this. Thank you. Theres been recent wave of meetings and business with other leaders. Each and every one said they asked the leadership to change the coverage of al jazeera with the issue. Have they given any assurances therell be a change in the coverage of this issue . Regarding the different parties from u. S. Societies we dont distinguish between religion, or background. All of them are welcomed and we have a good relation with them. Its very clear the government should not interfere. But they should also comply with International Standards and code of conduct. If anyone is complaining they can go and file complaints which are gathering the media. He will get a just result. There are some complaints being filed in the United Kingdom and they followed. Were not questioning the content of al jazeera. Thank you were to think of the turkeys operation what is your opinion about the in fight against isis . This played a vital role in the fight against isis and terrorism. We see that they have good soldiers who are fighting terrorism and they are committed to the security of their country. Also we need to look at Turkey National security issue which is affected by the movement and supporting any country is the right of any country. Thank you seems to me the talk was a strong stance against terrorism disarming you unequivocally oppose any nonstate groups. We do not announce any state actor with the violence. The terrorism act in itself is identified as terrorism i thought that was a very clear policy for us. We dont distinguish between those nonstate actors for us, we judge the act in the behavior. Of philip. With the account impact on the economy of qatar. The result is three years of deficit and at the same time the dolphin pipeline stays open and the economy is said to grow how sustainable is the current status of the blockade . Whether any specific measures of escalation that might impact that clock . In terms of the sustainability of the economy . Regarding the economy with the current resources we are blessed with National Resources and also having a good management. The blockade when it has an impact on the situation it has a shock impact from what theyve taken. The problem lies for other countries tried to manipulate the market and create fake news and fake stories about the situation and try to create this propaganda. Those factors are unacceptable by International Law and undermining the World Economy order. But this sort of thing we are resisting. Its disturbing an ongoing factor. We are seeking for that everybody just to stay away away forward for the solution. We dont see there is any risk of aggression. The only thing we see thank you. The masculine english and youre free to answer whether an arabic or english. Why is it that qatar has not, until now officially announced who is behind the hacking of the Qatar News Agency that caused the crisis . Im not aware exactly what they have reached in the process but until not we cannot look at who exactly was behind the hack. I dont want to undermine this process. I would ask you all to rema remain. Thank you. My question is about iraq. As a country goes to what election what initiatives do the others have to try to create a unified leadership or vision of the future . Thank you. We encourage the iraqi people to build this on the National Identity not based on their sex or ethnicity. What were seeing a from different backgrounds and we dont like to interfere and having like one. This is not our policy. We encourage everybody to come along. We talked to sunni leaders and shiite leaders and different politicians to have a united front among them with the common National Interest and that the options be undermined and to Stay Together for the future. But just the feeling of these i dont think. Thank you very much. [applause] [inaudible] getting underway, conversation with Supreme Court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the intersection of law, media and jewish life. Thats live on cspan two the President Trump returning to washington after speaking on the gop policy retreated west virginia. He delivers remarks at the trump hotel. Coverage starts tonight at eight eastern on cspan. Washington journal, live everyday with news and policy issues that impact you. We talk about the federal workforce under the Trump Administration. Also the Cato Institute explains immigration reform. And chain migration. In wiretapping of u. S. Citizens. A conversation with Georgetown University law school professor, watch cspans washington journal, live seven eastern on friday morning. Join the discussion. Now, live to synagogue in washington, d. C. For a conversation with Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Supreme Court associate justice will be to discuss the intersection of law, media and jewish life. We expect the rabbis to make opening remarks that will be getting underway shortly. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] starting shortly from the synagogue in washington, d. C. , conversation with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with jamie eisner. Theyll discuss the intersection of law, media, and jewish life. It should be starting soon. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] we will start in a few moments. Once the Program Begins there be no exits from the doors to the front of the house. Restrooms are available at the back. There be no exiting to the front what the program starts. We will start in about five minutes. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] will hear conversation with Ruth Bader Ginsburg this evening from a synagogue in washington, d. C. The two had rabbis will be making opening remarks followed by Justice Ginsburg and edward editorinchief, jay meisner. Let you know about other live coverage tonight as President Trump returns to washington after speaking at the gop policy retreat and delivers remarks at the Republican National committee meeting. Live coverage on cspan. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] while we wait for this conversation at a synagogue in washington, little background information, Justice Ginsburg was appointed by bill clinton, she took the oath of office in august 1993 and is the second female justice to be confirmed by the court after Justice Sandra day oconnor. We expect the event to get away shortly. This is live on cspan2. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible]