New Zealand Institute of International Affairs – Waikato Branch
Wednesday 22 February 2012
6pm in Room J.2.18, University of Waikato
A New Middle East: A View from Israel
Professor Stuart Cohen
Department of Political Studies, Bar-Ilan University, Israel
Israelis have always known that they live in a rough and volatile neighbourhood. A string of recent reports has very much
strengthened that perception. In this short talk, we shall focus on four areas of change that have given risen to concern
- The decline in global power and influence of the U.S. and the countries of Western Europe
- Convulsions in the Muslim world: the radicalization of Turkey, the Arab Spring; the fall of Mubarak
- The emergence of new military challenges – a nuclear Iran and the phenomenon of ‘hybrid wars’
- Shifts of mood and attitude within Israel’s domestic society.
How Israel confronts the challenges posed by these developments will greatly influence the shape of the Middle East in the
coming decade.
5.30pm social gathering in J2.12. Coffee, tea and fruit juice available.