PSU Great Debate featuring Robert Malley and Michael Singh

Pomona Student Union Great Debate: The US, Israel, and a Changing Middle East

Wednesday, April 13, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Edmunds Ballroom, PO

The United States has, since World War II, played an influential role in the Middle East by developing strong financial, military, and ideological ties with Israel and a number of Arab states while maintaining hostile relationships with others. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have only increased the United States' long term commitment to defend its geopolitical interests in this critical part of the world. Yet the region finds itself at a defining moment in history. Protests are erupting across the Middle East and North Africa as citizens call for democracy, security threats to the West and East alike continue to proliferate, and Arab sentiment toward the United States remains sour even as its relationship with Israel seems to deteriorate. What is the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship, how should the United States counter a rising tide of powerful actors whose interests contradict its own, and how should the international community respond to pro-democracy movements in countries across the region?

Joining us to debate these questions are two individuals who have played prominent roles in shaping U.S. policy toward the Middle East over the past decade and a half. Robert Malley, currently the Middle East and North Africa program director for the International Crisis Group, served as Director for Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs on President Clinton's National Security Council as well as the Special Assistant to President Clinton for Arab-Israeli Affairs. Michael Singh, currently the managing director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, served as the senior Director for Middle Eastern Affairs on President George W. Bush's National Security Council. We are fortunate to have leaders with such high-level experience joining us at Pomona College to share their perspectives on this timely and contentious topic.

For more info, see the facebook event.