Modern Israel Symposium

Israel's Place in the Changing Middle East Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Itamar Rabinovich, renowned Israeli scholar Dr. Asher Susser and other international experts will address the political, economic and military challenges that Israel faces in the new Middle Eastern regional context. The region has been overtaken in recent years by the rather disappointing outcome of the so-called "Arab Spring" as national conflicts, sectarian civil wars and serious economic challenges rock the Middle East. Shiite Iran and its proxies battle for regional hegemony against their Sunni Arab neighbors. Iran's nuclear program has increased political tensions and threatens to further destabilize the region. In the emerging new balance of power between Shi'is and Sunnis, ISIS fighters continue to spread their influence and ideology, as they dismember the old Arab state order in the process. This conference will explore how Israel deals with these new regional realities, while it faces vexing internal social, political, and economic challenges. What are the contours of the internal Israeli debate on Iran? What is the impact of the disintegration of states in the region on Israel's security doctrine? How does Israel deal with radical non-state actors that are filling the void and who also seek its demise? How do the significant changes in the market for Middle Eastern resources (declining demand for Arab oil in the US and Israel's discovery of huge reservoirs of natural gas in the Mediterranean) impact upon Israel's regional stature? The conference speakers will discuss the current situation and offer insights into what Israel and its neighbors might do next, future developments that will have a great impact on US policies in the region. Event Details This symposium will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Student Union at the University of Arizona, Parking is available at the 2nd Street Garage, 1390 E. 2nd St., Tucson, AZ Symposium Schedule Sunday, December 6th: 9 AM - 3:15 PM Monday, December 7th: 9 AM - 3:15 PM There will be a dinner with a special guest (TBA) on Monday, December 7th at 7 PM