Talk entitled ‘Syria: Friend or Foe of the West?’. Dr. Alan George, freelancer and broadcaster, has been closely involved with the Middle East since 1967. His first degree was from Oxford and his MA and PhD (on Syria) were from Durham. He frequently commentates on Middle East affairs on TV and radio. He is a former Assistant Director of CAABU and former Head of Research of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce. He recently published a book entitled ‘Syria: Neither Bread nor Freedom’ (Zed Books April 2003).