US Elections and Their Impact on the Middle East

What impact could a Kamala Harris presidency have on the Middle East? What changes in economic and diplomatic policy might occur? How would a second term for Donald Trump shape the region differently? Join us for a 90-minute panel discussion to analyze how shifts in US leadership could affect diplomatic relations, economic policies, and stability in the Middle East.

The panelists include Joyce Karam, senior news editor at Al Monitor and adjunct professor at George Washington University; Amaney A. Jamal, dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and professor of politics and international affairs; Chris Achen, professor of politics emeritus and professor of social sciences emeritus at Princeton University and co-author of Democracy for Realists (2016); and Hilal Khashan, professor of political science at the American University of Beirut.

Watch the discussion via the links below:

5:48 Amaney Jamal emphasizes the significance of the U.S. elections for the region

11:46 Hilal Khashan discusses how the Arab ruling elite and the Arab general public differ in their perception of the conflict in Gaza.

21:50 Chris Achen discusses how the two leading presidential candidates would approach Middle East policy.

34:44 Hilal Khashan considers how Arab and Western elites view the web of competing alliances and agendas in the Middle East region.

40:09 Chris Achen breaks down presidential candidate Donald Trump’s isolationist worldview.

45:55 Amaney Jamaal describes why she does not believe that a Kamala Harris administration represents a meaningful departure from current Mideast policy.

48:45 Hilal Khashan discusses the implications of a second Donald Trump administration on the peace process.

52: 36 An audience member believes a Trump administration would prefer to bankrupt, rather than invade, Iran.

56:04 Hilal Khashan explains Iran’s agenda of exporting its Islamic revolution to neighboring Arab countries.

57:45 Amaney Jamal asserts Trump’s proclivity for military confrontation.

1:02:15 Chris Achen contends that Israel's security will not continue to be the primary cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy forever.

1:15:44 Panelists consider how a newly divided Israeli lobby might influence US policy towards the Middle East.

1:24:31 Amaney Jamal argues that meaningful change in the Middle East requires a bold, forward-thinking vision that departs from the existing foreign policy approach.