The Middle East Institute invites you to a discussion on the military, political, and economic implications of the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. In recent days, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf, targeting military sites and critical infrastructure and raising the risk of wider regional instability. Gulf states now face mounting security concerns alongside economic uncertainty and energy market volatility.
Is regime change still on the table? What are the likely military trajectories in the days ahead? How exposed are Gulf states to further escalation? And what could a prolonged conflict mean for regional economies and energy flows?
We will be joined by Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, USN (ret.), former commander of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and MEI Senior Fellow Dr. Karen Young. Drawing on his experience across the US Navy, the Pentagon, and US Central Command, Vice Admiral Donegan will assess the strategic and operational decisions shaping the conflict and the military consequences that may unfold. Dr. Young will examine the economic and energy implications for GCC states as governments navigate heightened security risks and market pressure.
Speakers
Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, USN (ret.), is a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI). He previously served as Commander of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and Commander of the 32 Nation Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East. In those roles he led teams that planned and executed joint and combined combat, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy operations at sea and in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen.
Dr. Karen E. Young is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI), where she leads the Economics and Energy Initiative. She is also a Senior Research Scholar at the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy. A political economist, her work focuses on the Gulf and broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with particular attention to the intersection of energy, finance, and security.
Dr. Kenneth M. Pollack (Moderator) is Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute. Dr. Pollack began his career as a Persian Gulf military analyst at the CIA and served twice on the National Security Council, first as Director for Near East and South Asian affairs and then as Director for Persian Gulf affairs.
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