14
August 2014
Past Event
Which Poses the Bigger Threat to U.S. National Security—Iran or Non-State Sunni Extremism?

Which Poses the Bigger Threat to U.S. National Security—Iran or Non-State Sunni Extremism?

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
August 14, 2014
14
August 2014
Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Speakers:
Lee Smith

Former Senior Fellow

michael_doran
Michael Doran

Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East

Hillel Fradkin

Senior Fellow and Director, Center on Islam, Democracy, and the Future of the Muslim World

With the belief that Iran’s nuclear weapons program constituted the greatest threat to U.S. interests in the Middle East, Barack Obama entered the White House hoping to achieve a historic reconciliation with the Islamic Republic. But the administration’s current policies throughout the region suggest that the White House no longer sees Iran as the key problem. Rather, it views the clerical regime as a potential partner, particularly when it comes to combating Sunni extremists like al Qaeda and ISIS. As Obama has explained in several interviews, the Iranian regime, while problematic, represents a real nation-state and rational actor that looks out for its interests and responds to incentives—which is not the case for non-state actors.

The White House has re-prioritized American strategy in the Middle East. Its policies in Syria and Iraq demonstrate that it now sees groups like al Qaeda and ISIS—rather than Iran—as the key threat to American interests. The question is whether the Obama administration has got it right. And if it’s wrong, what are the likely consequences?

On August 14th, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Lee Smith moderated an expert panel featuring Michael Doran, Hillel Fradkin, and Brian Katulis to discuss whether non-state Sunni extremism or Iran constitutes the major strategic threat to American interests in the region.

Related Events
05
April 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Stronger Together: The Importance of US-Japan Economic Relations
Featured Speakers:
Governor Eric Holcomb
Satoshi Miura
Kazuhiro Sugie
Anita Rajan
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Paul Sracic
Kenneth R. Weinstein
William Chou
Japanese Cherry Blossom trees bloom along the National Mall on March 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Japanese cherry trees were gifted to Washington, DC, by Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912 and draw tens of thousands of daily visitors around peak bloom every year. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
05
April 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Stronger Together: The Importance of US-Japan Economic Relations

Hudson’s Japan Chair will welcome Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb to make a major economic announcement.

Japanese Cherry Blossom trees bloom along the National Mall on March 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Japanese cherry trees were gifted to Washington, DC, by Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912 and draw tens of thousands of daily visitors around peak bloom every year. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Governor Eric Holcomb
Satoshi Miura
Kazuhiro Sugie
Anita Rajan
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Paul Sracic
Kenneth R. Weinstein
William Chou
09
April 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Restoring America’s Commercial Maritime Industrial Base
Featured Speakers:
Joe Courtney
Michael Roberts
(Courtesy of Crowley Maritime)
09
April 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Restoring America’s Commercial Maritime Industrial Base

Join Michael Roberts and Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT) for a discussion on America’s critical shipping and shipbuilding industries.

(Courtesy of Crowley Maritime)
Featured Speakers:
Joe Courtney
Michael Roberts
13
May 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Pernicious Impact of China’s Anti-Secession Law
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
China Center
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian participates in a rally to protest against the Anti-Secession Law on March 26, 2005, in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Andrew Wong/Getty Images)
13
May 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Pernicious Impact of China’s Anti-Secession Law

Hudson Institute’s China Center and United Microelectronics Corporation founder Robert Tsai will host a conference with experts and policymakers to analyze China’s 2005 Anti-Secession Law.

Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian participates in a rally to protest against the Anti-Secession Law on March 26, 2005, in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Andrew Wong/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
China Center
21
March 2024
Past Event
Addressing the Developing World’s Debt Crisis with Former World Bank President David Malpass
Featured Speakers:
David Malpass
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Joshua Meservey
David Malpass speaks at a press conference on the fourth day of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings at the IMF headquarters on October 13, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
21
March 2024
Past Event
Addressing the Developing World’s Debt Crisis with Former World Bank President David Malpass

Former World Bank President David Malpass will present a new paper outlining constructive and cooperative ways to address the debt crisis in the developing world.

David Malpass speaks at a press conference on the fourth day of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings at the IMF headquarters on October 13, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
David Malpass
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Joshua Meservey