Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday would be “the most intense day of US strikes on Iran.” With oil prices soaring and no sign of a cease-fire, many are wondering what comes next. The strategic stakes for the US and Middle East nations are high, and the situation is rapidly evolving.
To make sense of the US military strategy and the near-term economic effects of the conflict, the Middle East Institute invites you to join us for a discussion with MEI Distinguished Military Fellow, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, USMC (Ret.), and MEI Senior Fellow Alex Vatanka. This webinar will be moderated by MEI Vice President for Policy, Ken Pollack.
Speakers
General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. (Ret.) is a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute and Executive Director of the University of South Florida’s Global and National Security Institute. Over his 42 years of service, he commanded at the platoon, company, battalion, Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and component levels. Most recently, he served as CENTCOM commander from 2019 to 2022.
Alex Vatanka is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute. He specializes in Middle Eastern regional security affairs with a particular focus on Iran. He has testified before the US Congress and lectured widely for both governmental and commercial audiences, including the US Departments of State and Defense, US intelligence agencies, and a list of international corporations.
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.
