The next president will have to rebalance and rebuild America’s strained alliances across the Middle East after eight years of upheaval. U.S. relationships have been buffeted by wars in Syria and Yemen, ongoing flare-ups between regional powers Iran and Saudi Arabia, and growing mistrust in the wake of the Arab uprisings between Washington and regional governments, including mainstays like Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
MEI and the Century Foundation were pleased to present a panel on November 29 that considered how the U.S. can work with its allies to shape a new strategy and stabilize relations with the Arab world. Should the United States redefine its interests and priorities in the Middle East? What is the “right size” strategic commitment to a region that currently consumes a disproportionate amount of Washington’s policy attention?”
Panelists included:
- Thanassis Cambanis, The Century Foundation, fellow, covering Arab politics and U.S. foreign policy from a base in Beirut (moderator)
- Michele Dunne, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, director and senior associate, Middle East Program
- Michael Wahid Hanna, The Century Foundation, senior fellow, covering the Arab region, South Asia, and U.S. foreign policy
- Brian Katulis, Center for American Progress, senior fellow, covering U.S. national security strategy, Middle East, counterterrorism
- Randa Slim, Middle East Institute, director, the Initiative for Track II Dialogues
This event was co-sponsored by:
The Century Foundation (TCF) is a progressive think tank that seeks to foster opportunity, reduce inequality, and promote security at home and abroad.