Podcasts

Rethinking a Middle East in Transition
Introduction:
Speaker: Wyche Fowler

Panel 1: America's Middle East Policy
Speakers: David Makovsky, Joost Hiltermann, Suzanne Maloney, Amb. Edward Djerejian
Moderated by: Amb. Barbara Bodine

Panel 2: New Approaches to Non-State Armed Actors
Speakers: Peter Neumann, David Kilcullen, Robert Malley, Peter Neumann
Moderated by: Roger Hardy

Keynote Luncheon Address
Speaker: Dr. Saeb Erakat

The Middle East Institute's 64'th Annual conference banquet

In Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States has vastly expanded its use of contractors in conflict zones without serious consideration of their strategic impact. While the presnece of contractors is not new, the number and types of tasks they are executing is. This discussion will examine what is good about contractors, what problems they cause and then the largely unexamined strategic impact of contractors — both armed and unarmed — on current and future conflicts. It concludes with policy recommendations for the use of contractors in future conflicts.

Speaker: Thomas Hammes

Dr. Yigal Kipnis, an Israeli author, geographer, historian, and leading expert on the Israeli-Syrian conflict over the Golan Heights will discuss the current state of Israeli settlements on the Golan, and related topics.

Opening Remarks
Speakers: Amb. Edward "Skip" Gnehm, Amb. Elizabeth McKune, Dr. Michael Brown, Dr. Steven Knapp

Keynote Address: Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud al Busaidiyah
Speakers: Amb. Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy, Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud al Busaidiyah

Keynote Address: Amb. William Burns
Speaker: Amb. Edward "Skip" Gnehm, Amb. William Burns

Political Development Panel
Speakers: Dr. Harith Ghassany, Dr. Samira Moosa, Dr. Gregory Gause, moderated by Frank Sesno