The Middle East in Transition

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Aaron David Miller, David Schenker, Mona Yacoubian, and Ivo Daalder analyze how conflicts and power shifts are reshaping the Middle East and the roles of key regional players.

Ivo Daalder, Mona Yacoubian, David Schenker on the Council stage

Ana Miyares Photography

Speakers

Aaron David Miller
David Schenker
Mona Yacoubian
Ivo H. Daalder

Event Date

May 13, 2025

About This Event

The Middle East is experiencing a series of significant developments that have the potential to reshape regional dynamics. How are the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the transition in Syria following the Assad regime’s fall, and the new leadership in Lebanon affecting politics in the region? How are the roles of nations like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates evolving? And what impact are these recent events having on Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, especially in light of renewed US-Iran talks? Join the Council for a discussion on the latest developments in the Middle East and their broader significance.

About the Speakers

Aaron David Miller

Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Previously, Miller served at the State Department as a historian, analyst, negotiator, and advisor to multiple secretaries of state, helping formulate Middle East policy and the Arab-Israeli peace process.

David Schenker

Taube Senior Fellow & Director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics, The Washington Institute

David Schenker is the Taube senior fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics. From 2019 to 2021, he served as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, acting as principal Middle East advisor to the secretary of state.

Mona Yacoubian

Senior Advisor and Director, Middle East Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Mona Yacoubian is the senior advisor and director for the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. With over 30 years of regional expertise, her work focused on conflict analysis, governance and stabilization, and conflict prevention, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.

Ivo H. Daalder

CEO, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Ivo H. Daalder served as the US ambassador to NATO from 2009 to 2013. He joined the Council as president in 2013 and took on the new role of CEO in 2023. Previously, he was a senior fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution and served as director for European affairs on President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council. He is the author or editor of 10 books.