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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping enter the hall during a signing ceremony on May 20, 2026, in Beijing, China. (Getty Images)
The Middle East is undergoing profound transformations. As borders shift, alliances form and dissolve, and Iran pursues its nuclear program, policymakers must look beyond the final two years of the Obama administration.
What happens if the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State fails, and IS continues to spread its tentacles across the Levant? How long will the Syrian civil war last? What if the Jordanian regime, a longtime U.S. and Israeli ally, is toppled? When will Israel again find itself at war against Hezbollah, Hamas, or directly with Iran?
On December 9th, Hudson Institute hosted a panel featuring Shmuel Bar, Michael Doran, Hillel Fradkin, and Lee Smith to explore U.S. policy in the Middle East with respect to regional strategy for the next two, five, ten, and twenty-five years.
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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Saint Petersburg on October 21, 2026. (Getty Images)
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Vice President JD Vance speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on October 20, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
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A nuclear missile formation attends a military parade in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025. (Getty Images)
