AIPAC
Join AIPAC | Contact Us | Text Size
AIPAC: News, Policy, Analysis for the Middle East and U.S.-Israel Relations.
"The most important organization affecting America's relationship with Israel. — The New York Times
print this page email this page
Policy Conference 2010 Preliminary Schedule - Sunday, March 21

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

Breakout Sessions: Sunday I

Choose from a number of exciting programming options including innovative briefing theaters, expert policy briefings and stimulating Scholar in Residence discussions.

Middle East Spotlight - Elements of Power: The Strategic Geography of the Middle East

For centuries, local tribes, global powers and ambitious nation-states have battled for control over the crucial natural resources, terrain and waterways that comprise the greater Middle East. This distinguished panel examines the underlying forces at play in the region today and forecasts what the future holds for the strategic geography of the Middle East.

Featuring
  • Dr. Shlomi Dinar
    Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations and Geography, Florida International University
  • Dr. Geoffrey Kemp
    Director of Regional Strategic Programs, The Nixon Center

Middle East Spotlight - Energy Independence: What's the Holdup?

Most of the world's oil lies beneath the sands of unstable nations controlled by authoritarian regimes. For years, American political leaders have talked about the need for energy independence as a national defense priority. Is there still an American appetite for energy independence? If so, what will it take to achieve, and can such a move secure our nation?

Featuring
  • Mr. Matt Rimkunas*
    Office of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
  • Mr. Franz Wuerfmannsdobler*
    Office of Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Moderator
  • Mr. Jonathan Baron
    Founder and Principal, Baron Communications LLC

Middle East Spotlight - Foreign Policy 101: Israel's Relations With the World

From Asia to Africa, South America to Europe, Israel's relations with the international community have evolved dramatically over the past 62 years. Our panel examines Israel's efforts to upgrade its political, economic and security relationships in the global arena.

Featuring
  • Mr. Oded Eran
    Director, Institute for National Security Studies, Tel Aviv
  • Mr. Noam Katz
    Minister-Counselor, Public Diplomacy, Embassy of Israel
  • The Honorable Eyal Sela
    Israel's Ambassador to Ecuador

Middle East Spotlight - Gaza Dilemma: The State of Play in the Hamas-run Territory

The terrorist group Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip for nearly three years. A short distance away in the West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas' Palestinian Authority continues its efforts to build a functioning civil society and a future Palestinian state. Our expert panel discusses the current state of play in Gaza and its regional implications.

Featuring
  • Mr. Avi Issacharoff
    Palestinian and Arab Affairs Correspondent, "Ha'aretz"
  • Mr. Jonathan Schanzer
    Vice President, Research, Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Middle East Spotlight - Inside Iran: Who's Really in Charge of the Islamic Republic?

Who's really in charge in Tehran-Ahmadinejad, the Ayatollahs or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps? Given last year's Iranian election and the current unrest, this question is now more relevant than ever. Our experts discuss the current power structure in Iran and how it affects U.S. efforts to reign in the regime's rogue ambitions.

Featuring
  • Mr. Ali Alfoneh
    Visiting Research Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
  • Dr. David Menashri
    Director, Center for Iranian Studies, Tel Aviv University

Middle East Spotlight - Prognosticating Peace: Are Direct Israeli-Palestinian Talks in Sight?

Since becoming Israel's prime minister last year, Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly declared his desire to reach peace with the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, PA President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to enter into direct talks with Netanyahu until Israel meets a series of preconditions. What, then, is the future of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations?

Featuring
  • Mr. Ghaith al-Omari
    Advocacy Director, American Task Force on Palestine
  • Mr. David Horovitz
    Editor-in-Chief, "The Jerusalem Post"
  • Mr. David Makovsky
    Ziegler Distinguished Fellow and Director, Project on the Middle East Peace Process, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Middle East Spotlight - Shifting Sands: The Evolving Leadership and Landscape in the Middle East

Aging leaders, Islamic extremism, formidable economic clout and the World Wide Web-these factors, and many others, are rapidly changing the face of the modern Middle East. Three of America's most renowned foreign policy experts delve into the issues that are reshaping the contours of the Arab world.

Featuring
  • Dr. Asher Susser
    Senior Fellow of the Myra and Robert Kraft Chair in Arab Politics, Brandeis University
  • Mr. Elliott Abrams
    Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Deputy National Security Advisor
  • Mr. Bret Stephens
    Foreign Affairs Columnist and Editorial Board Member, "The Wall Street Journal"

Middle East Spotlight - State of the Union: America's Place in the World Today

It's been one year since President Barack Obama took office. Where does the United States stand on the world stage today? Our nation faces extraordinary challenges, from the Middle East and South Asia to climate change and the emergence of new regional powers. How have the Obama administration's policies advanced U.S. interests to date, and what can we expect in the years ahead?

Featuring
  • Mr. William Kristol
    Editor, "The Weekly Standard"
  • Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer
    S. Daniel Abraham Chair of Middle East Policy Studies, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University; Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel
Moderator
  • Mr. Jeffrey Colman
    Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC

Politics & Activism - Campaign Countdown: An Insider's Guide to the 2010 Elections

Some of America's most well-known political pundits gather on one stage to share their thoughts on the 2010 elections. Hear their predictions on the most contentious races and learn about what the results may mean for the future of U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Featuring
  • Dr. Norm Ornstein
    Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute
  • Mr. Michael Barone
    Senior Writer, "U.S. News & World Report;" Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
  • Ms. Amy Walter
    Editor-in-Chief, "The Hotline"
Moderator
  • Mr. Robert Bassin
    National Political Director, AIPAC

Politics & Activism - Media Matters: Is Israel Treated Unfairly in the Press?

With the international media scrutinizing Israel's every move, the country faces enormous challenges in telling its true story to the world. Learn from four top communications specialists about Israel's place in the eye of the international media.

Featuring
  • Mr. Josh Block
    Spokesman, AIPAC
  • Mr. Jonathan Carey
    Founder and Executive Director, BlueStar
  • Ms. Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi
    Founder and President, The Israel Project
  • Ms. Andrea Levin
    Executive Director, CAMERA

Politics & Activism - Midterm Review: Faces and Campaigns of the 2010 Elections

On November 2, all 435 members of the House and 36 senators will be up for re-election. A senior AIPAC political expert discusses the candidates from both major parties and explains how the election results could shape the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Featuring
  • Mr. Edward Miller
    Deputy National Political Director, AIPAC

Israel Today - Ethical Defense: Israel's Moral Battle Code

Israel has gone to great pains to wage its battles humanely and responsibly. Hear from two experts about how Israel defends its citizens, while upholding human rights and protecting civilians in the face of unrelenting terrorism.

Featuring
  • Col. (Res.) Adv. Daniel Reisner
    Former Head, International Law Branch of the Israel Defense Forces' Legal Division; Partner, Herzog, Fox and Neeman
  • Ms. Elizabeth Samson
    Visiting Fellow, Hudson Institute
Moderator
  • Ms. Devorah Patt
    Director of AIEF, Jerusalem Office of AIPAC

Israel Today - Neighborhood Watch: Examining Israel's Ties With Egypt and Jordan

Cairo and Amman both inked peace treaties with Israel, ushering in hopes for regional commerce, cooperation and coexistence-but the reality is a bit more complicated. This panel of experts examines the internal dynamics shaping Egypt and Jordan today and gauges the challenges and opportunities that the future holds for their ties with Israel.

Featuring
  • Brig. Gen. Michael Herzog
    Special Emissary for the Prime Minister and Defense Minister on the Peace Process, Israel
  • Ambassador Edward Walker
    Adjunct Scholar, Middle East Institute; Christian A. Johnson Distinguished Professor in Global and Political Theory, Hamilton University

Israel Today - Singled Out: Delegitimizing Israel at the United Nations

The United Nations has evolved into a hotbed of anti-Israel activity. Hear from diplomats who have defended the Jewish state in the halls of the world body and explore what the future holds for the tiny democracy as it stands its ground at the United Nations.

Featuring
  • Ambassador Daniel Carmon
    Deputy Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations
  • Mr. Atul Keshap
    Director, Office of Human Rights, United States Department of State
  • Mr. Hillel Neuer
    Director, UN Watch; Geneva, Switzerland

Israel Today - Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle

You've seen him on Fox News, NBC and CNBC. Now, the author of "Start-Up Nation" speaks to Policy Conference delegates. Dan Senor, a foreign policy analyst and former Bush administration official, tells the miraculous story of Israel's booming technology sector and explains what America can learn from Israel's experience.

Featuring
  • Mr. Dan Senor
    Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies, Council on Foreign Relations; Co-Author, "Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle"

Additional Programming - The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign Legacy Lounge

Make your commitment to AIPAC a permanent one. AIPAC's endowment team will be on hand to explore with you the various planned giving options, including bequests, life insurance and retirement assets. Legacy gifts can be made both charitably and non-charitably to benefit both you and AIPAC.

Featuring
  • Ms. Jodi Kurtis
    Endowment Director, The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign

Book Your Hotel Now!

For reservations to the 2010 Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., March 21-23, visit www.aipac.org/pchotel or call 1-866-805-4508.

Shabbat at Policy Conference

Join us for Shabbat prior to this year's conference.

PC 2009 Highlights

2009 Policy Conference

See the best of AIPAC's 2009 Policy Conference.  

 

View video highlights

Watch full speeches

Quotable Quotes

Senator Jon Kyl"... the success of AIPAC. It is you, the committed members who contribute your time, your talent and your resources to educate your members of Congress."


—Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

Click here for slideshow


Back to top