Brian Katulis

Event information

Brian Katulis

Is There A New Middle East?

DATE: May 15, 2025 6:00 pm

LOCATION: World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Major wars in the Middle East always leave a trail of death, destruction and suffering. But they also change the political landscape; and they can even open the way to more stable relations in the region if an American president seizes the opportunity.  Israel’s war against Hamas following the Oct 7, 2023 terror attacks is now in its 18th month, and how it ends is not certain. But the outlines of a new landscape are already on view in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and, of major importance, in Iran.

President Trump’s mid-May trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar puts the spotlight on the region as a whole.

Can the Gaza war possibly lead to a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine? Is further normalization possible between Israel and its Arab neighbors? How have Iran’s setbacks in Lebanon and Syria affected Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and the chances for a deal with the United States?

To unpack the developments, we’ve invited Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute to address the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs on May 15, 2025. He’s a noted scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington and a highly regarded expert on Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories. He is also a Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa at Albright Stonebridge Group. He has produced influential studies that have shaped discussions around regional policy and he’s offered expert testimony to key congressional committees on his findings.

He is the author of “Making Sense: A Weekly Take on US Foreign Policy” and the host of the podcast “Taking the Edge Off the Middle East.”

Please join us at the World Trade Center top floor – or on our Zoom feed — for what is sure to be a timely discussion on the future of the Middle East

Contact programs@bcfausa.org for more information or to register.

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Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

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Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
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