Ann Arbor is a lovely place.
I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days in the vibrant campus town in November 2023, when I was invited by Professor Jay Crisostomo to give a guest lecture at the University of Michigan’s Centre of Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS) colloquium. I strolled through the quaint, leafy streets, ate a reuben at the legendary Zingerman’s deli—Obama once called it a “killer” sandwich—and spent time with a collection of smart, engaging students.
The lecture was about the evolution of Saudi Arabia sports strategy. I spoke for a little more than a hour about the kingdom’s rise in the sports world, some of its pivotal successes, and how those successes reflect the country’s political ambitions. I also shared some personal stories from Egypt, including how football and the Arab Spring helped shape my understanding of the world.