The Middle East in Transition

Hybrid

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.

People participate in a rally in the town of Majdal Shams, close to the Syrian border, demanding Israel return the annexed Golan Heights to Syria on February 14, 2025.

May

Ohad Zwigenberg / AP

Speakers

Aaron David Miller
David Schenker
Mona Yacoubian
Ivo H. Daalder

Date and Time

May 13: 5:30 - 6:30 pm CDT

Doors Open: 5:15 pm

Location

Chicago Council Conference Center, 130 E Randolph Street or via YouTube

Who Can Attend

For All

COST AND REGISTRATION

Complimentary $0

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

Former Vice President, Middle East and North Africa Center, United States Institute of Peace

Mona Yacoubian is the former vice president of the Middle East and North Africa center at the US Institute of Peace. 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.