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

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Featured Speakers:

Rebeccah L. Heinrichs

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In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

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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

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Vijay Chauthaiwale

Dattatreya Hosabale

Hemang Jani

Kenneth Juster

Amb. Vinay Kwatra

Ram Madhav

Ashok Malik

Bethany Poulos Morrison

Richard Rossow

Joel Scanlon

Priyanka Chaturvedi

Moderators:

Lisa Curtis

Bill Drexel

Walter Russell Mead

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Featured Speakers:

Nisha Biswal

Kurt Campbell

Vijay Chauthaiwale

Dattatreya Hosabale

Hemang Jani

Kenneth Juster

Amb. Vinay Kwatra

Ram Madhav

Ashok Malik

Bethany Poulos Morrison

Richard Rossow

Joel Scanlon

Priyanka Chaturvedi

Moderators:

Lisa Curtis

Bill Drexel

Walter Russell Mead

Aparna Pande

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April 2026

In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

The Future of the Gulf: Commerce and Security in the Middle East After Operation Epic Fury

Featured Speaker:

Jared Cohen

Moderator:

Mike Gallagher

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In-Person Event | Hudson Institute

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Featured Speaker:

Jared Cohen

Moderator:

Mike Gallagher

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In-Person Event | Invite Only

Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)

Featured Speakers:

Ken Moriyasu

Congressman Jimmy Panetta

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In-Person Event | Invite Only

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.