The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative and Eurasia Center invite you to a hybrid panel on Thursday, November 2, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET. The discussion will feature expert takes for the “Iran-Russia Alliance: Opportunities, Limits, and Conflict in the Middle East.”

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to unprecedented levels of Iran-Russia cooperation across military, economic, and political fronts. The ongoing war in Gaza shows widening Iran-Russia coordination; senior Iranian officials met with Hamas representatives in Moscow as recently as October 27.

For years, Iran has provided Hamas the overwhelming majority of its funding, weapons, and training—all of which were leveraged on October 7 in the deadly attack in Israel. Simultaneously, Iran militarily supports Russian aggression in Ukraine with drones in addition to artillery and tank ammunition. While the Iran-Russia anti-Western alliance of convenience is clear, the opportunities and limits of their relationship are less so.

This conversation will take place at the Atlantic Council’s headquarters and will be broadcast on Zoom, Twitter, and Facebook. Register below to attend in person or to join us online. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to attend. The event is open to members of the press and will be on the record.

A conversation with

Mark N. Katz
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs
Atlantic Council

Debra Cagan
Senior Advisor, Eurasia Center
Atlantic Council

Nicole Grajewski
Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Moderated by

Mathias Hammer
National Security Reporter
TIME

The Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative (SMESI) provides policymakers fresh insights into core US national security interests by leveraging its expertise, networks, and on-the-ground programs to develop unique and holistic assessments on the future of the most pressing strategic, political, and security challenges and opportunities in the Middle East. 

The Eurasia Center’s mission is to enhance transatlantic cooperation in promoting policies that strengthen stability, democratic values, and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe in the West to the Caucasus, Russia, and Central Asia in the East.

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