SEMINARS
The Middle East 2026
A Comprehensive Strategic Overview of the Political and Security Challenges Facing Israel and the Region. We will explore the Axis of Power and examine the threats, opportunities, and strategic options facing countries and organizations across the region.
Syria 2026
Mohammed al-Jolani or Ahmed al-Sharaa? From the Arab Spring to the Israeli Presence in the Buffer Zone – What's Happening Beyond the Border?
Syria occupies a pivotal position between competing axes of power. As the country attempts to reconstruct itself after years of civil war, its trajectory may well signal the future direction of the broader Middle East.
The Temple Mount and Al-Aqsa
When Faith and Politics Meet on the Mountain
We will discuss the history, politics and myths that make the Temple Mount/El Aqsa the most sensitive and contested site on Earth, where a fragile status quo exists between Israel, the Palestinians, Jordan, Turkey, and the broader international community.
Israel-Jordan Relations
From Lawrence of Arabia to the Birth of Jordan
The creation of the Kingdom of Jordan is a compelling story that illuminates the birth of modern Middle Eastern states. Through desert wars, tribalism, negotiations, and ultimately one historic peace agreement, we will explore this complex relationship.
Bedouin Society in Israel
A Community in Transition.
We will examine the history, culture, identity, and contemporary challenges facing Bedouins living in Israel, including tribalism, polygamy, hospitality, politics, religion, nationalism, economy, and stories from the desert.
October 7th – The Broader Picture
Hamas and Hezbollah, Qatar and Iran, Al Jazeera and the Arab Media.
October 7th is not merely a date but represents a watershed moment and the beginning of a war reshaping the Middle East. We will examine these events by understanding both Hamas and Israel, while analyzing the interests of regional powers and global actors including Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and others.
The Gaza Strip
We will trace the historical developments that have shaped Gaza's current reality. This lecture examines the Gaza Strip's history and people, while analyzing the key actors: Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Iran, Israel, and the Palestinian residents. We will explore the factors leading to the October 7th attack, the subsequent war, and the paths forward.
East Jerusalem
"Jerusalem is the Capital of two peoples and the shrine of three faiths” (Simone Sebag Montefiore).
The Geopolitics and conflicts in Jerusalem embody the complex tension between Arabs and Jews, West and East, modernity and tradition. We will discuss the legal status of the city and its residents, the barrier and the dispute around the East Jerusalem neighborhoods.
Lebanon
Iran, Hezbollah, and the Lebanese Tragedy
For four decades, Iran has systematically constructed a corridor of influence from Tehran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea. This 'Shiite Crescent' represents one of the most significant strategic challenges to Israel. We will examine the key actors, historical developments, and current options facing the region. Lebanon—a divided and polarized nation—suffers from Iran's quest for regional hegemony while struggling to maintain independence from foreign influence.
Introduction to the Key Issues in Defining and Understanding Israel
This lecture will define and clarify fundamental questions essential to understanding Israel. Drawing from Israel's Declaration of Independence—'we hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, to be known as the State of Israel'—we will address: What defines a Jew? What constitutes a Jewish state? What is the Land of Israel and where are its borders? What distinguishes between the land, the state, and the people of Israel?"
