29
September 2017
Past Event
Iran's Land Bridge: Countering a Growing Influence in the Middle East

Iran's Land Bridge: Countering a Growing Influence in the Middle East

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
September 29, 2017
Photo credit: wsfurlan
Caption
Photo credit: wsfurlan
29
September 2017
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:
Lee Smith

Former Senior Fellow

Pregent
Michael Pregent

Former Senior Fellow

Hillel Fradkin

Senior Fellow and Director, Center on Islam, Democracy, and the Future of the Muslim World

Ilan Berman

Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council

The threat of an Iranian land bridge through Iraq and Syria—measured both in established influence and a physical presence—has become a reality. Iran’s goal for regional hegemony, a strategic plan more than three decades in the making, has come to fruition. With such a route in place, Iran can increase logistical and operational support to Lebanese Hezbollah and other IRGC-directed proxies.

Is it possible to disrupt this route, and can it be done without provoking further conflict? On September 29, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion assessing these and other elements of Iran’s strategic posture in the region. Hudson fellows Michael Pregent, Hillel Fradkin, and Lee Smith joined Ilan Berman of the American Foreign Policy Council to discuss the changing situation in the Middle East and the appropriate U.S. policy response.

To view Mr. Pregent's map, click here.

Related Events
27
February 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Security, Normalization, and International Cooperation in the Middle East with Sir Liam Fox
Featured Speakers:
Rt. Hon. Sir Liam Fox
Zineb Riboua
Getty Images
27
February 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Security, Normalization, and International Cooperation in the Middle East with Sir Liam Fox

Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East will host Sir Liam Fox for a conversation on the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Rt. Hon. Sir Liam Fox
Zineb Riboua
03
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing Venezuela’s Freedom after Maduro
Featured Speakers:
Leopoldo López
Joel Frushone
Getty Images
03
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing Venezuela’s Freedom after Maduro

Please join Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López for a discussion on the future of Venezuelan democracy, the role of civil society in credible political and economic reforms, and the pathway to free and fair elections.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Leopoldo López
Joel Frushone
03
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
A Strategic Response to Sino-Russian Cooperation: Perspectives from Europe and the Indo-Pacific
Featured Speakers:
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Justyna Szczudlik
Greg Brown
Moderator:
Masashi Murano
Getty Images
03
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
A Strategic Response to Sino-Russian Cooperation: Perspectives from Europe and the Indo-Pacific
Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Justyna Szczudlik
Greg Brown
Moderator:
Masashi Murano
04
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing America’s Critical Mineral Supply Chain: A Conversation with Congressman Rob Wittman
Featured Speakers:
Mike Gallagher
Congressman Rob Wittman
Getty Images
04
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Securing America’s Critical Mineral Supply Chain: A Conversation with Congressman Rob Wittman

Join Distinguished Fellow Mike Gallagher and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) for a discussion on the congressman’s recently introduced Securing Essential and Critical US Resources and Elements (SECURE Minerals) Act and Congress’s role in securing America’s economic security.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Mike Gallagher
Congressman Rob Wittman