WEBINAR (3/13/26): The Broadening Conflict: Security Developments and Regional Escalation

Speakers

Alex Vatanka is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, specializing in Middle Eastern regional security with a particular focus on Iran. Born in Tehran, he is the author of The Battle of the Ayatollahs in Iran: The United States, Foreign Policy and Political Rivalry Since 1979 (2021) and Iran and Pakistan: Security, Diplomacy, and American Influence (2015). He is currently working on his third book, Grand Contest: The Rivalry of Iran, America, and Israel in the Arab World.

MG Scott Benedict, USMC (ret.) is a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute and a retired US Marine Corps Major General who last served as the Commanding General of Second Marine Aircraft Wing. MG Benedict’s joint assignments included service as the Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) at US Central Command; the Director Politico-Military Affairs, Middle East, within the Joint Staff J-5, and Special Assistant to the Assistant Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dr. Kenneth M. Pollack (Moderator) is Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute. Dr. Pollack began his career as a Persian Gulf military analyst at the CIA and served twice on the National Security Council, first as Director for Near East and South Asian affairs and then as Director for Persian Gulf affairs.