The United States has a long history of engagement with the Middle East. The 1970s, however, saw a series of radical changes in the region that would greatly affect U.S. involvement there going forward. The 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the beginning of political disintegration in Lebanon, the Camp David Accords, and perhaps most importantly the Iranian Revolution would lead to a variety of new opportunities for peace and mounting security threats in the 1980s and the 1990s, culminating in the tragedy of the September 11 attacks. The Global War on Terror that followed has continued to have profound national and international reverberations, the full ramifications of which we are only beginning to truly grasp.

This program will be conducted as a Socratic discussion, utilizing primary source documents as the only readings, and with David Hadley facilitating the conversation instead of lecturing or presenting. Registrants, therefore, are highly encouraged to read all the documents in advance and come ready with questions. Teachers will receive a Letter of Attendance at the conclusion of the seminar.