Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory

March 2026

Past Event

Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory

Past Event

Invite Only

March 24, 2026

A plume of smoke rises after a strike on the Iranian capital Tehran, on March 3, 2026. (Getty Images)

March 2026

Past Event

Speakers:

David Albright

Founder and President, Institute for Science and International Security

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Senior Fellow and Director, Keystone Defense Initiative

Ray Takeyh

Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

Ilan Berman

Senior Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council

H.E. Yechiel Leiter

Ambassador, Israel to the United States

Mariam Memarsadeghi

Founder, Cyrus Forum for Iran’s Future

Operation Epic Fury marks a decisive moment in the Middle East, reflecting a new phase of US-led military coordination, regional alignment, and strategic competition with Iran. The operation’s early successes have reshaped the battlefield—but critical questions remain about its origins, trajectory, and ultimate objectives.

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. Together, these discussions aim to clarify not only how the war is unfolding, but what its outcome will mean for the future of US strategy in the region and beyond.

Agenda

9:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks

Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, Hudson Institute

9:10 a.m. | Panel I: Why the War Started

Moderator: Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director, Hudson Institute

· Can Kasapoğlu, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

· David Albright, Founder and President, Institute for Science and International Security

10:15 a.m. | Panel II: The State of Play

Moderator: Nadav Samin, Fellow, Hudson Institute

· Ray Takeyh, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

· Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

· Can Kasapoğlu, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

11:30 a.m. | Panel III: Theories of Victory

Moderator: Zineb Riboua, Research Fellow, Hudson Institute

· Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director, Hudson Institute

· Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council

· Mariam Memarsadeghi, Founder, Cyrus Forum for Iran’s Future

12:30 p.m. | Fireside Chat and Keynote Address

Moderator: Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director, Hudson Institute

· H.E. Dr. Yechiel (Michael) Leiter, Ambassador of Israel to the United States

June 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Winning the Innovation Competition

Featured Speakers:

Bryan Clark

Dan Patt

Emil Michael

June 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Winning the Innovation Competition

Please join Hudson Institute Senior Fellows Bryan Clark and Dan Patt for a conversation with Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael about the Department of War’s efforts to bring AI to the battlefield and implement an innovation strategy that makes the most of America’s commercial and government research sectors.

Featured Speakers:

Bryan Clark

Dan Patt

Emil Michael

Learn More

June 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Deterring Russia and China: Securing America’s Nuclear Future

Featured Speakers:

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Brandon Williams

June 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

Deterring Russia and China: Securing America’s Nuclear Future

Join Senior Fellow and Keystone Defense Initiative Director Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Brandon Williams for a discussion on the administration's priorities in strengthening the US nuclear enterprise.

Featured Speakers:

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

Brandon Williams

Learn More

May 2026

Past Event

A Conversation with Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy of the United States Sarah B. Rogers

Featured Speakers:

Sarah B. Rogers

Zineb Riboua

Senator Eric Schmitt

Michael Doran

May 2026

Past Event

A Conversation with Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy of the United States Sarah B. Rogers

Please join the Hudson Institute for a conversation with Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah B. Rogers and Hudson Research Fellow Zineb Riboua on how the United States is adapting its public diplomacy tools to advance its interests abroad, counter censorship, promote free speech, and leverage artificial intelligence to deliver more effective, targeted messaging.

Featured Speakers:

Sarah B. Rogers

Zineb Riboua

Senator Eric Schmitt

Michael Doran

Learn More

May 2026

Past Event

Environmental Agendas, Geopolitical Ends: Climate Policy and Great Power Competition

Featured Speakers:

Michael Doran

Zineb Riboua

Brenda Shaffer

Sam Cooper

May 2026

Past Event

Environmental Agendas, Geopolitical Ends: Climate Policy and Great Power Competition

To examine this emerging challenge, Senior Fellow Dr. Michael Doran will convene a conversation with Research Fellow Zineb Riboua, Professor Brenda Shaffer—Research Faculty Member at the US Naval Postgraduate School and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council—and Sam Cooper, an award-winning investigative journalist focusing on China-Canada relations.