War with Iran and its geopolitical implications

  • Wed, March 4, 2026 • 9:30 am ET
  • Atlantic Council Headquarters
  • 1400 L Street NW • Floor 11
  • Washington, DC 20005

What the strikes on Iran mean for the future of US strategy in the Middle East.

On Wednesday, March 4, at 9:30 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security will host a discussion examining the security implications of the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

President Trump said that the United States is prepared to sustain military engagement against Iran, and Iran has retaliated by targeting US military bases in the region and allies and partners’ civilian infrastructure. President Trump has also rallied the Iranian people to rise against the regime. Together, these developments raise questions about shifting US strategic goals and the scope of US objectives.

The event will explore the United States’ strategic posture in the Middle East and assess the regional security architecture and US global force posture.

New policy: In-person attendees will be required to show photo ID upon arrival, and no on-site registration will be permitted. Guests will not be admitted later than twenty minutes after the event’s start time. 

Please complete the form below to register for this event.

Speakers

Matthew Kroenig
Vice President for Geostrategy and Senior Director,
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council

Jennifer Gavito
Nonresident Senior Fellow
Atlantic Council;
Former Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
US Department of State

William F. Wechsler
Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs
Atlantic Council

Markus Garlauskas
Director, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative,
Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council

Asha George
Director, Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council

Joe Costa
Director, Forward Defense, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council

Andrew Peek
Director, Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council

Moderated by

Tressa Guenov

Tressa Guenov
Director, Programs and Operations and Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security
Atlantic Council

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