Caption
A photo shows US and Israeli flags projected on the historic walls of the Old City near Hebron Gate in Jerusalem on June 22, 2025. (Getty Images)
Caption
SDF and YPG flags seen in al-Raqqa after its takeover by the SDF, October 20, 2017 (VOA Kurdish)
As Turkey targets Kurdish fighters with ties to the U.S.-led coalition combatting the Islamic State, tensions between Turkey and the U.S. have the potential to squander many of the gains that have been made against ISIS. Simultaneously, Iran and Russia are gaining leverage by solidifying their hold on key areas in the region. The U.S. is now forced to weigh its conflicting alliances in Eastern Syria, and develop a coherent policy towards its allies.
On Tuesday, March 13th, Hudson Institute hosted a discussion assessing U.S. policy options for the conflict and the region. The panel will consist of American Foreign Policy Council Senior Vice President Ilan Berman; Institute for the Study of War Senior Intelligence Planner Jennifer Cafarella; former Syrian diplomat Bassam Barabandi; and Hudson Adjunct Fellow Michael Pregent.
To view the map used in today's panel, click here.
Related Events
27
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Congressman Michael Baumgartner on Operation Epic Fury and US Strategy
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Michael Baumgartner
27
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Congressman Michael Baumgartner on Operation Epic Fury and US Strategy
Together, Baumgartner and Doran will examine the objectives and risks of Operation Epic Fury, the broader regional implications, and the policy choices facing Washington in the weeks ahead.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Michael Baumgartner
30
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
The Three Seas Initiative: Ambassador Romana Vlahutin on Europe's New Geography of Power
Featured Speakers:
Zineb Riboua
Amb. Romana Vlahutin
30
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
The Three Seas Initiative: Ambassador Romana Vlahutin on Europe's New Geography of Power
Please join Ambassador Romana Vlahutin and Research Fellow Zineb Riboua for a conversation on the Three Seas Initiative and its role in shaping Europe's new geography of power.
Featured Speakers:
Zineb Riboua
Amb. Romana Vlahutin
30
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
China’s Economic Slowdown: Risks, Realities, and Strategic Implications
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Leland Miller
30
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
China’s Economic Slowdown: Risks, Realities, and Strategic Implications
Join Hudson Institute for a panel that will discuss Dr. Duesterberg’s new report on the Chinese economic model and how policymakers should consider its vulnerabilities when formulating strategy to counter Beijing’s practices.
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Leland Miller
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the Future of Trade Policy
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Peter Rough
07
April 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the Future of Trade Policy
Please join Ambassador Greer for a fireside chat with Senior Fellow Peter Rough on the Trump administration’s first year back in office and what’s next for US trade policy.
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Peter Rough
Related Research
Caption
(Screenshot via i24)
Caption
A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refuels a B-52H during Operation Epic Fury over the US Central Command area of responsibility, March 20, 2026. (US Air Force)
