To compete and thrive in the 21st century, democracies, and the United States in particular, must develop new national security and economic strategies that address the geopolitics of information. In the 20th century, market capitalist democracies geared infrastructure, energy, trade, and even social policy to protect and advance that era’s key source of power—manufacturing. In this century, democracies must better account for information geopolitics across all dimensions of domestic policy and national strategy.
With significant territorial holdings in Syria and Iraq, ISIS’ military campaigns have posed unique challenges to key actors in the Middle East. In Iraq, the group has prompted what many believe is tacit military coordination if not cooperation between the United States and Iran, as both nations work to contain ISIS. However, the question remains whether the strategic visions of Iran and the United States are at ideological odds with one another or if there is space for deeper future partnership. This luncheon will discuss US and Iranian strategic policies in the region and how conflict and cooperation between the two countries over ISIS may alter bilateral and regional politics in the future.
Speakers:
Mohsen Milani, Executive Director of the Center for Strategic & Diplomatic Studies and Professor of Politics, University of South Florida
Steven Simon, Senior Fellow at Middle East Institute and Former Senior Director for Middle Eastern and North African Affairs, White House
Payam Mohseni, Director of the Iran Project Director, will chair the event.
Lunch will be served, but only on a first-come, first-served basis.