PUBLIC LECTURE: Israel's Strategic Dilemmas in a Changing Middle East

Dr Jonathan Spyer argues that the rapid change currently undergoing in strategic relations in the Middle East offers both opportunity and cause for concern to Israel. Centrally, a new regional cold war is taking shape - pitting an Iranian-led alliance against a pro-western alliance which includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel. The pro-Iranian alliance has made the destruction of Israel a central goal, and is supporting insurgent movements among the Palestinians and further afield as part of this objective. The Second Lebanon War and the recent Gaza war must be seen in this perspective. At the same time, the new regional cold war sees Israel aligned on the same side as major Arab states in a regional struggle for the first time. Dr Spyer will explore the emergence of this new strategic situation, its key components and its meaning for hopes of peace in the Middle East.

This is a free public lecture co-organised by the Centre for Muslim States & Societies and the Institute of Advanced Studies (UWA). Contact Zarlasht Sarwari or Dr Kate Riddell for more information.