Event Summary

Iran on the Horizon: Panel IV: What does the US do Now?

Patrick Clawson, Hillary Mann Leverett, Ray Takeyh, Ambassador David Mack — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:59:30 -0500

The final panel of the “Iran on the Horizon” Conference addressed the United States’ relations with Iran and recommended future policy options. Ray Takeyh was the first to speak and he noted that United States foreign policy toward Iran both outside the region and within has not produced the desired results. For policy outside of the region, Takeyh identified that the most direct manifestations of policy have been the Security Council resolutions, which have not been particularly robust or coercive.

Iran on the Horizon: Panel III: Iran and The Levant

Trita Parsi, Fares Braizat, Murhaf Jouejati, and Judith P. Harik — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:55:06 -0500

Trita Parsi offered an introduction to some critical issues between Arab states and Iran, including Syria’s unexpected participation in Annapolis despite Iran’s advice and the implications of the Jordanian President’s current reluctance to utilize his own phrase “Shia Crescent.” In addition, he brought to the audience’s attention the accusation that Lebanon’s political instability could fuel a proxy war between Iran and the US.

Iran on the Horizon: Panel II: Iran and the Gulf

Wahid Hashim, Ebtisam al-Kitbi, Sami al-Faraj, and Barbara Slavin — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:48:51 -0500

Opening the panel, Barbara Slavin, spoke briefly about the current goal of US policy in the region to isolate Iran and its allies. She noted that Gulf Arab states have been increasingly reluctant to buy into the current US policy agenda, hedging their bets against Iran's growth as a regional hegemon. Hamas' recent performance and public relations victory in Gaza coupled with Hizbullah's success in delaying the Lebanese presidential election has added to the perception that Iran and regional allies are doing well.

Iran on the Horizon: Keynote Address

Ambassador Pierre Vimont — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:42:51 -0500

After a brief introduction by Ambassador David Mack, Ambassador Vimont stressed how the international focus on the Iran nuclear issue has influenced all facets of Iran’s relationships with its neighbors.

Iran on the Horizon : Panel 1: Assessing Iran’s Intentions and Internal Power Centers

Kenneth Pollack, Gary Sick, Hooshang Amirahmadi, and John Limbert — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:38:32 -0500

Kenneth Pollack opened his remarks by noting that with Iran’s complex and opaque regime, its intentions are far more important than its capabilities. He stressed that Iran’s words must be taken with a grain of salt, as even its most engrained officials do not fully know its entire system.

MEI's 61st Annual Conference 2007 - Luncheon Remarks

Frances Fragos Townsend — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:37:56 -0500

Townsend reiterated the words of President Bush regarding the United States’ vital and enduring interests in the Middle East and in good relationships with our partners based on common interests of faith, education and commerce. She reminded the audience that the Middle East history as a key source of trade dates well before oil and that it is a vital US interest to promote stability in the Middle East.

MEI's 61st Annual Conference 2007-Panel II

Philip Gordon, David Ignatius, Tariq Ramadan, Robert Satloff — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 16:42:19 -0400

Tariq Ramadan dominated the first half hour of the discussion due to the anticipated brevity of a satellite broadcast from England. During his time, Dr. Ramadan stressed the necessity for a critical assessment of US policy toward the Middle East as he outlined a couple of main points.

MEI's 61st Annual Conference 2007-Panel III

Fawaz Gerges, General Ehsan ul Haq, Michael Ware, Paul Pillar — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 15:34:43 -0400

Dr. Paul Pillar moderated the discussion and opened the panel with a comparison of the mujahidin who fought in the Soviet-Afghan War and the jihadists currently fighting in Iraq. He identified three lasting effects that the Afghan war had on the jihadist movement: the acquisition of skills and arms, the jihadist global networking opportunity, and the belief that the jihadists could defeat a superpower.

MEI's Annual Conference 2007-Luncheon Address

Frances Fragos Townsend — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 14:07:14 -0400

Townsend began her remarks reiterating the words of President Bush regarding the United States’ vital and enduring interests in the Middle East and in good relationships with our partners based on common interests of faith, education and commerce. She reminded the audience that the Middle East has a long history as a key source of trade before oil and that, as the crossroads of the world, it is of the US’s vital interest to promote stability in the region.

MEI's 61st Annual Conference 2007-Keynote Speech

Richard ClarkeRichard Clarke — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:04:54 -0400

The Five Myths:

Mr. Clarke’s speech addressed five myths that he said are currently circulating around Washington regarding US relations in the Middle East. The first myth, according to Clarke, is that ‘Osama Bin Laden has become irrelevant and that Al-Qaeda no longer matters. He noted that, contrary to the current administration’s claims that Al-Qaeda has been smashed, “Al-Qaeda is back,” planning attacks and just as powerful as before. The only major way in which Al-Qaeda has changed since 2001 is that they have moved from Afghanistan to the border regions of Pakistan.