April 23-24 | Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Brandeis University & Virtual

CROWN CENTER AT 20: THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Join us as the Crown Center for Middle East Studies at Brandeis University marks 20 years of bridging scholarship and real-world insight on the Middle East.

Our anniversary symposium on April 23–24 (in person and via livestream) brings together leading Crown scholars—past and present—to explore two pressing questions: What are the biggest challenges facing the Middle East?
And where are the opportunities for optimism?

We’ll kick off on April 23 with a keynote by Suzanne Maloney of the
Brookings Institution, followed by a panel on Iran’s evolving regional and global challenges. On April 24, join us for three panel discussions on the future of Egypt and North Africa, Israel, Iraq, and the Levant, and Turkey and the Gulf.

In-person attendance does not require registration. Online attendance
requires registration for each event separately.
https://www.brandeis.edu/crown/events/2025/20th-anniversary.html

This event is free and open to the public. Middle Eastern food will be
served.

For questions and more information, please contact Kristina Cherniahivsky:
kristina@brandeis.edu

PROGRAM: Wednesday, April 23 | Opening Day | 4:30-6:30 PM

4 PM - Welcome Remarks, Gary Samore

4:10 PM - Keynote Address: The Middle East’s Dangerous New Normal, Suzanne
Maloney

5 PM - Panel Iran’s Regional and Global Challenges
Moderator: Naghmeh Sohrabi
Panelists: Daniel Amir, Hadi Kahalzadeh, Gary Samore, Sanam Vakil

Thursday, April 24 | Envisioning Regional Futures | 8:30 AM-2:30 PM

8:30 AM Coffee and Continental Breakfast

9 AM Welcome Remarks

9:15 AM - The Future of Egypt and North Africa
Moderator: Eva Bellin
Panelists: Candace Lukasik, Andrew F. March, Jeannie L. Sowers, Ian
VanderMeulen

10:30 AM Break

10:45 AM - The Future of Israel, Syria, and the Levant
Moderator: Peter Krause
Panelists: Shai Feldman, Daniel Neep, Jillian Schwedler

12 PM Lunch – Middle Eastern fare and refreshments served.

1 PM - The Future of Turkey, Iraq, and the Gulf
Moderator: Killian Clarke
Panelists: Ondřej Beránek, Nader Habibi, Nihal Kayali, Kerem Uşşaklı

2:15 PM Closing Remarks – Gary Samore