Selected Seminar Reports

Diplomatic Security: Past Lessons and Future Outlook

September 27, 2012:The latest turmoil and violence in the Muslim world and elsewhere underscores the vulnerability of the facilities, personnel, and operations of diplomatic missions. The panel of practitioners and academics will discuss the historical lessons and the future outlook of diplomatic security for the United States and the broader international community. 

Inevitable Last Resort: Syria or Iran First?

September 11, 2012: Experts discussed scenarios which could prompt international powers to intervene in the domestic actions of Syria and Iran.

Turkey's Partnership for Security: The Next Phase?

August 18, 2012: Turkey has developed an overall strategy tailored to meet the political and security challenges in every region of the world. In light of the unfolding uncertainties in the Middle East, the Caucuses, Central Asia and elsewhere, Turkey’s partnership for peace is becoming more critical than ever before. The panel of experts will focus on these issues, particularly focusing on the implications of the Arab Spring, the Syrian Crisis, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, identification of terrorism, and relations with the US, Europe, NATO, and the United Nations. 

London Olympic Security: National and International Lessons

July 25, 2012: Concerns over the safety of the London Olympics were reported daily. Did the lessons drawn from previous Games prove their utility in preventing or mitigating terrorist threats during the event? A panel of experts will discuss several security issues, including intelligence, law enforcement, legal aspects, economic costs, media coverage and international implications

Middle East Security and the Changing Trans-Atlantic Partnership

June 28, 2012: Partial edited transcript of the event which focused on the evolution of NATO following the end of the Cold War. Experts discussed a multitude of issues concerning the military alliance as well as its possible convergence with security concerns in the Middle East.

Al-Qa'ida: Quo Vadis?: Marking the First Anniversary of "Operation Neptune Spear"

April 30, 2012: The death of bin Laden on May 2, 2011, signifies a major milestone for the United States and the international community’s war against terrorism.  As we are marking the first anniversary of “Operation Neptune Spear” an assessment of the short and long term strategic and tactical lessons is offered by a team of experts who have been studying and combating al-Qa’ida for the past twenty years.

Nigeria and the al-Qa'ida Challenge: National, Regional, and Global Implications

March 25, 2012: The distinguished panel of participant-observers offered analysis on the political, social, and economic context of Nigeria, Boko Haram’s profile (origin, modus operandi, foreign connections, etc.), the regional and inter-regional implications, and recommendations for short and long-term responses.

International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism:

Review of 2011 and Outlook of 2012

February 2, 2012: The Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies (at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Arlington, VA) hosted a special seminar which conducted a review of 2011 terrorism activites, the importance of international cooperation, and a prediction for 2012's terrorism activities. The event was opened by Mike S. Swetnam, Chairman and CEO of the Potomac Insititute for Policy Studies and moderated by Professor Yonah Alexander, Director of the Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies. The Honerable Charles E. Allen, former Under-Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, opened the seminar followed by Daniel A. Rosen, Director of Plans and Policy for the State Department's Burea of Counterterrorism, Ambassador Arun K. Singh of India, the Honorable Timur Soylemez, Deputy Chief of Mission of Turkey, and the Honorable Mahmoud Hmoud, Deputy Cheif of Mission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Iran's Nuclear Program: A Final Warning?

December 6, 2011: The Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies (at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Arlington, VA) presented the topic “Iran’s Nuclear Program: A Final Warning?” highlighting Iran’s nuclear weapon ambition amidst the backdrop of an uncertain political reality in the Middle East. Speaker biographies, event summary, and transcript are included in the summary.

UN-Palestinian Statehood: Political, Legal, Social, Economic, and Strategic Perspectives

September 27, 2011: Panel discussion regarding the Palestinian Authority's September 24 bid at the United Nations for Statehood. Speaker Biographies, event summary and transcript are included

The New Middle East: Quo Vadis?

February 8, 2011: Transcript of a seminar discussing the beginnings of the 'Arab Spring' and how the movement might effect the security situation in the Middle East.

Terrorism: Review of 2010 and Outlook for 2011
January 31, 2011: Transcript of a seminar reviewing terrorist action during 2010 with remarks by the Former Assistant Director of Central Intelligence (CIA) Charles Allen and the Ambassadors of Morocco and Spain.