The United States and Middle East are at a crossroads. In spite of a reduced presence in the Middle East, the U.S. still has significant national interests there and the area is a key arena for global power politics. Can the U.S. continue to defend its interests in the Middle East and globally with a lower level of military and political involvement, or should it recommit to a leading role in the region?

Join us for a discussion of the article, "The United States and the Middle East" by Marc Lynch, which is attached to this announcement. We will be joined by guest speaker Sarhang Hamasaeed, the Director of Middle East Programs at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP).

A short film on the topic will be shown at 1:00, followed by a discussion at 1:30.