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A flag of the United Nations flies at the United Nations Offices in Geneva on August 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
The American-led campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS) has empowered Syria’s Kurds and, as a result, alienated Turkey. Meanwhile, Russia and Iran have expanded their presence in Syria. Washington, Moscow, and Tehran now find themselves in a complicated diplomatic contest over the orientation of Turkey and various Kurdish polities and factions.
How should the U.S. manage its role in this contest? On January 23rd, Hudson Senior Fellows Eric Brown and Michael Doran discussed the current state of affairs in the region and offer recommendations for future U.S. policies. Hudson Fellow Peter Rough moderated the conversation.
Related Events
23
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Zimbabwe’s Land Seizures and the Road to Resolution
Featured Speakers:
Joshua Meservey
Deon Therons
Allan “Rusty” Markham
John “JT” Tomaszewski
23
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Zimbabwe’s Land Seizures and the Road to Resolution
Join Senior Fellow Joshua Meservey as he hosts a panel of experts to discuss the history of land expropriation in Zimbabwe, the status of the land compensation agenda, and how policymakers can rectify an issue that bedevils US-Zimbabwe relations.
Featured Speakers:
Joshua Meservey
Deon Therons
Allan “Rusty” Markham
John “JT” Tomaszewski
24
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
David Albright
Can Kasapoğlu
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ray Takeyh
Nadav Samin
Ilan Berman
Zineb Riboua
H.E. Yechiel Leiter
Joel Scanlon
24
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory
This conference convenes leading experts and policymakers to examine why the conflict began, assess the current state of play, and explore competing theories of victory.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
David Albright
Can Kasapoğlu
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ray Takeyh
Nadav Samin
Ilan Berman
Zineb Riboua
H.E. Yechiel Leiter
Joel Scanlon
25
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Postponed | Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
25
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Postponed | Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Please Join Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Senior Fellow Michael Doran for a discussion on the region’s significance and why updating US trade policy is key to unlocking its potential in an era of renewed great power competition.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
20
March 2026
Past Event
Europe and the Iran War: A Conversation with Tomáš Pojar
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Tomáš Pojar
20
March 2026
Past Event
Europe and the Iran War: A Conversation with Tomáš Pojar
To explore this question, Tomas Pojar joins Dr. Michael Doran for a timely conversation on Europe’s strategic posture, alliance cohesion, and the future of Western coordination in the region.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Tomáš Pojar
Related Research
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(Screenshot via Fox News)
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President Donald Trump speaks at an event in the East Room of the White House, March 12, 2026. (Getty Images)
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M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems conduct live-fire missions during Operation Epic Fury in the US Central Command area of responsibility. (US Army)
