Recent developments in the Middle East have raised important questions about regional stability, international relations, global energy markets, and the broader geopolitical landscape. How might current tensions shape the future of the region and its relationships with major global powers? What could the evolving situation mean for international trade, security, and diplomatic engagement?
This panel discussion will examine the current dynamics in the Middle East, including the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz and the potential long-term implications for regional and global affairs. The conversation will explore a range of perspectives on how recent events may influence geopolitical alignments and international policy in the months and years ahead.
Please join us and hear a timely and insightful discussion with our distinguished panelists.
This event is by invitation-only. Please notify us of your interest to receive an invitation by providing your contact information in the form below. Priority registration is available for World Affairs Council of Austin members. Bring your invitation to the event. Invitations are non-transferable.
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About the panelists:
Ambassador (ret.) Larry E. André, Jr. retired from the State Department’s Senior Foreign Service in May 2023 after a 38-year career in global public affairs. During his 33 years at the U.S. State Department, he served in a mix of leadership, policy, and management positions.
Ambassador André’s leadership positions included serving as Ambassador to Somalia, Djibouti, and Mauritania. He also served as Chargé d’affaires, U.S. Embassy, South Sudan; Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Tanzania; Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Sierra Leone; Director, Office of the Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan; and Deputy Director, Office of West African Affairs. He also served in the Middle East with the Embassy in Iraq.
Ambassador André is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Global Reporting Award, and several other honors. In 2023, Amb. André was inducted into the American Academy of Diplomacy.
Matthew Bey is a Senior Global Analyst at RANE, where he focuses on geopolitical risk management for organizations across sectors and a wide range of international relations topics. Matthew has focused heavily on political, economic, and security issues in the Middle East and Africa. He also covers several international topics relating to global governance, technology, trade, and the oil and gas industry. Matthew has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Texas Lutheran University and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor in the University’s Department of History and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Professor Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on politics and foreign policy, most recently: Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. His other books include: The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office; Liberty’s Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama; Henry Kissinger and the American Century; and Power and Protest: Global Revolution and the Rise of Détente. His writings appear in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN.com, Atlantic, Newsweek, Time, Wired, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and other media. Professor Suri is a popular public lecturer and comments frequently on radio and television news. His writing and teaching have received numerous prizes, including the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas and the Pro Bene Meritis Award for Contributions to the Liberal Arts. Professor Suri also hosts a weekly podcast, “This is Democracy.