In recent years, a strategic approach has gained prominence in Israel’s regional policy: the idea that military strength and security superiority can serve as a foundation for normalization and cooperation with countries in the Middle East. According to this approach, often described as “normalization through power”, military deterrence, shared security interests, and advanced technological capabilities can position Israel as a central regional partner even without broader political progress vis-à-vis the Palestinians.
The war that began on October 7, and particularly the campaign against Iran, puts this paradigm to the test. While Israeli public attention is largely focused on the military aspects of the confrontation with Iran, a broader strategic question arises: what will the regional order look like on the day after the war, and can military achievements alone translate into a stable regional reality and sustainable cooperation?
This webinar will examine the future of relations between Israel and regional actors in light of the latest developments in the Middle East. The discussion will explore the opportunities and limitations of an approach based primarily on power and deterrence, alongside the role of political processes, regional diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation in shaping a more stable regional order.
The panel will bring together leading experts, who will offer diverse regional perspectives on the strategic implications of the war and on the possibilities for shaping a new regional reality in its aftermath.
When: Tuesday, March 24, 6 PM (Israel time) ; 5 PM (CET); 11:00 AM (EST).
A Zoom link will be sent closer to the time of the webinar after the registration.
Moderator:
Eitan Ishai – Director of the MENA program, Mitvim
Speakers:
Dr. Gil Murciano – CEO, Mitvim
Mohammed Baharoon – Director General, B’huth Institute, United Arab Emirates
Prof. Eli Podeh – Lecturer, Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Board Member, Mitvim; Member of the Regional Security Coalition
Dr. Shira Efron – RAND Corporation’s Distinguished Israel Policy Chair
Dr. Ofir Winter – Senior Researcher, Institute for National Security Studies; Lecturer, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Tel Aviv University
Elizabeth Tsurkov – Fellow, Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy; Research Fellow, Forum for Regional Thinking
