Turmoil in the Strait: The Next Phase of the U.S.-Iran Conflict

Event Description

Tensions between the United States and Iran have become a defining challenge in both U.S. politics and foreign policy. Despite months of diplomacy, sanctions, and military pressure, the conflict continues to drive instability across the Middle East and create uncertainty across the global economy, with few signs of a lasting resolution. With the midterm elections now behind us and concerns about a renewed military confrontation growing, what lies ahead? Is there a path toward de-escalation, or are we entering a more dangerous phase of the conflict? 

Join the World Affairs Council for a virtual panel discussion on Iran’s regional influence, U.S. military options, and the implications for Israel and Iran-backed proxies. Experts will unpack the key drivers behind the current conflict and discuss what policymakers, regional actors, and observers should watch in the months ahead.  

About Our Speakers

Nate Swanson is a resident senior fellow and director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, he spent nearly twenty years as a career State Department official, primarily focused on Iran. Beginning in 2015, Swanson served as a senior advisor on Iran policy to successive administrations, working on issues ranging from the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to the maximum pressure strategy. He most recently served as director for Iran at the National Security Council.

General (ret.) Joseph L. Votel is a Distinguished Military Fellow at MEI. He retired as a four-star general in the United States Army after a nearly 40-year career, during which he held a variety of commands in positions of leadership, including most recently as commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) from March 2016 to March 2019.

In his role at CENTCOM, Gen. Votel oversaw military operations across the region, including the campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Before CENTCOM he was the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He was the commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment when they deployed to Afghanistan in 2001 and to Iraq in 2003. While assigned to the Pentagon, he organized the original IED Task Force that eventually grew into the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO).

During his military career, Gen. Votel gained extensive operational experience across the Middle East, Levant, Central and South Asia, Northern Africa, and the Horn of Africa. He was awarded numerous medals of service including three Defense Distinguished Service Medals, an Army Distinguished Service Medal, three Defense Superior Service Medals, two Legion of Merit medals, and four Bronze Star Medals.

About Our Moderator

Sarah Grant is an associate in the Privacy & Security practice at Ashurst Perkins Coie. She previously served as Counsel in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the U.S. Department of Justice. Sarah is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, where she served as an intelligence officer from 2012 to 2019. She holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, a M.Phil in international relations from the University of Cambridge, and a B.S. in international relations from the U.S. Naval Academy. She currently serves on the boards of the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics and the Truman Scholars Association.