Pro-Israel activists deal with challenging questions all of the time. If you've ever struggled to answer the tough questions about Israel, the Middle East or U.S. foreign policy, this is your opportunity to get the vital information you need. You ask the questions, and we'll provide the background, insight and information.
Featuring Mr. Jonathan Kessler Leadership Development Director, AIPAC Issue Brief - Building New AlliancesAs geopolitical realities in the Middle East and Mediterranean evolve, so, too, do Israel's strategic relations in the region. While the Jewish state's ties with Turkey have strained in recent years, its alliances with Greece and former Eastern Bloc states have strengthened. This session explores new directions in Israel's foreign relations.
Featuring Dr. Raphael Danziger Senior Research Advisor, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC Issue Brief - Egypt's Muslim BrotherhoodAfter officially being banned from Egyptian politics for decades, the Muslim Brotherhood is vying to increase its influence in the nation's post-Mubarak-era government. How dangerous is the Brotherhood's rise to power?
Featuring Dr. Steven Cook Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Relations Issue Brief - Final Status IssuesFor years, politicians and pundits alike have referred to "final status issues" between Israel and the Palestinians as previously understood goal posts already recognized by both parties. But are they? If negotiations resume, what exactly are the "final status issues" at play, and how do Israelis and Palestinians view them differently?
Featuring Ambassador Brad Gordon Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC Issue Brief - Freedom From OilAs recent events in the Middle East have illustrated, much of the world's oil sits beneath the sands of highly unstable nations—a chief national security vulnerability for the West and one felt acutely by Israel. How is the Jewish state working to break its dependence on oil? What role can Israel's recently discovered natural gas fields play, and what are the prospects of Israel becoming a new energy player?
Featuring Dr. Gal Luft Director, Institute for the Analysis of Global Security Issue Brief - Israel, America's Strategic PartnerAs the political and military landscape continues to change throughout the Middle East, Israel remains America's most stable ally in the region. This session explores the multiple layers of the strategic partnership between the United States and Israel and examines why strengthening that relationship is in the vital national interest of both countries.
Featuring Dr. Marvin Feuer Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC Issue Brief - Israel and the "Arab Spring"The so-called "Arab Spring" has transformed Israel's backyard into a wilderness of uncertainty. How will changing dynamics in the region affect Israeli security and foreign policy, as well as its quest for peace with its neighbors?
Featuring Mr. Yossi Klein Halevi Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute; Contributing Editor, The New Republic Issue Brief - Prospects for PeacePalestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly refused to engage in direct negotiations with Israel, instead forming an alliance with the terrorist group Hamas. What is the prospect for peace, given the Palestinians' recent provocative actions?
Featuring Mr. David Makovsky Ziegler Distinguished Fellow and Director, Program on the Middle East Peace Process, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy Issue Brief - Races and Faces of 2012Congressional races are heating up as America heads closer to the 2012 general election. This exclusive briefing explores the races and faces of an election that could reshape American policy in the Middle East.
Featuring Mr. Edward Miller Deputy National Political Director, AIPAC Issue Brief - Sanctioning TehranIran is feeling the impact of sanctions targeting its illegal nuclear weapons program—yet the Islamic Republic continues to head down the wrong path. How vulnerable is Tehran to tougher sanctions? How does the West proceed?
Featuring Mr. Avi Jorisch Founder and President, Red Cell Intelligence Group Issue Brief - The Campaign Against Israel in EuropeMore than six decades after Israel's birth, the campaign to delegitimize the Jewish state across Europe continues. Whether it's new approaches to boycott Israel or old accusations equating Zionism with racism, the goal of these anti-Israel activities is to disrupt and dismantle cooperation between Israel and Europe. This session examines the ongoing campaign against Israel throughout the European continent.
Featuring Dr. Alan Mendoza Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Henry Jackson Society Issue Brief - The Iran, Lebanon, Hizballah NexusIran continues to expand its sphere of influence in Lebanon, through its proxy terrorist army Hizballah. Can Lebanon free itself from Iranian domination? How can U.S. policy effect change along Israel's northern frontier?
Featuring Mr. Michael Totten Journalist and Author, The Road to Fatima Gate: The Beirut Spring, the Rise of Hezbollah and the Iranian War Against Israel Issue Brief - The Jerusalem FactorJerusalem is treasured by the world's three biggest monotheistic religions, but the Holy City's Jewish connection and centrality to Israel's identity is unique. This session unearths Jerusalem's ancient Jewish history and forecasts its future.
Featuring Mr. Tom Sawicki Director of Programming, Jerusalem Office, AIPAC Issue Brief - The Pakistan PredicamentPakistan has a radicalized Muslim population; shares borders with Iran, Afghanistan and India; and holds an arsenal of nuclear weapons. Recently, the world learned that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been living for years down the street from the Pakistani Military Academy. How have recent events affected Washington's complicated relationship with Islamabad and its goals in the region?
Featuring Dr. Aparna Pande Research Fellow, Hudson Institute Issue Brief - The Palestinian StreetFrom the West Bank to Gaza, Palestinian society has undergone significant shifts over the past year. While economically, the West Bank has surged, Palestinian political leaders have taken a less positive path. How do Palestinians currently view their future—do they seek peace, economic growth or a return to violence?
Featuring Dr. Robert Danin Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Head of Mission for the Quartet in Jerusalem One on One - Broad Pro-Israel SupportIsrael is not just an issue of concern to the Jewish community. Americans from all backgrounds are becoming involved in the pro-Israel movement. Our panel explains why Latinos, African Americans and religiously motivated pro-Israel Christians support the U.S.-Israel relationship and how they are expressing their support.
Moderator Mr. Jeff Mendelsohn National Outreach Director, AIPAC One on One - Israel's Place in the WorldIsrael's best and brightest are using their innovative spirit to create cutting-edge breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, high technology and energy. These Israeli-made solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues are being used in countries around the globe, from Africa to Asia and beyond. How has this affected the Jewish state's image on the international stage?
Featuring Mr. Eliav Benjamin Counselor for Political Affairs, Embassy of Israel Moderator Mr. Jeffrey Colman Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC One on One - Living With an Atomic IranWhat would the Middle East and the world look like if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon? What would it mean for global stability? These are questions many in the West are asking as Iran presses ahead with its illicit nuclear program.
Featuring Dr. Orde Kittrie Professor of Law, Arizona State University; Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Visiting Scholar, The Johns Hopkins University-SAIS Moderator Mr. Charles Perkins Assistant Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC One on One - Missile DefenseThe head of the Pentagon's missile defense agency recently announced that jointly developed U.S.-Israeli missile defense systems will be used to protect U.S. military bases throughout the Middle East. This session explores why missile defense cooperation is an essential pillar of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Featuring Mr. Yaakov Katz Military Correspondent and Defense Analyst, The Jerusalem Post Moderator Mr. Jeff Kuhnreich Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC One on One - Peace and Reconciliation Featuring Mr. Elliott Abrams Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Deputy National Security Advisor Dr. Aaron David Miller Public Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Moderator Ms. Ester Kurz Director, Legislative Strategy and Policy, AIPAC One on One - Unilateral Palestinian Statehood Featuring Dr. Tal Becker International Associate, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Senior Fellow, Hartman Institute for Contemporary Jewish Thought Moderator Mr. David Gillette Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC Additional Programming - The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign Legacy LoungeMake your commitment to AIPAC a permanent one. AIPAC's endowment team will be in the Legacy Lounge during all breakout sessions to explore with you various planned giving options that might be most advantageous for your estate, including bequests, life insurance and retirement assets. Legacy gifts can be made both charitably and non-charitably to benefit both you and AIPAC.
Featuring Ms. Jodi Kurtis Endowment Director, The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign