Syria and Lebanon: Threats and Opportunities

Wednesday, February 5, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm PT 

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria and Hezbollah’s weakening grip in Lebanon, coupled with the establishment of a new government there, signal a possible turning point in the region. Could these developments pave the way for change among Israel’s most challenging neighbors? Join AJU President Jeffrey Herbst and the American Friends of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center for an insightful panel featuring some of Israel’s top intelligence experts and important media commentators. Together, they’ll explore how these shifting dynamics in the Middle East could impact Israel’s security, diplomacy, and future.

This program is proudly presented in partnership with the American Friends of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center. For More information about the American Friends of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center, please contact Igal Zaidenstein President and Founder, at 310- 502-1719 or izmlm [at] intelligence.org.il (izmlm[at]intelligence[dot]org[dot]il)

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Dr. Jeffrey Herbst, the fourth president of American Jewish University (AJU), is an advocate for academic innovation. His leadership at AJU includes fostering growth in the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys, expanding the Maven digital platform, and improving the Brandeis-Bardin Campus. Formerly, he served as president and CEO of the Newseum and the Newseum Institute in Washington, DC. Notable achievements include successfully overseeing a half billion-dollar fundraising campaign, implementing a university-wide strategic plan, and enhancing educational programming at Colgate University, where he was president from 2010 to 2015. Dr. Herbst holds a summa cum laude bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, as well as a master’s and doctorate in political science from Yale University. He is the author of the award-winning “States and Power in Africa” and, with several co-authors, the just-published “Making Africa Work.” In addition to many books and articles, he has been published in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and many other digital and print publications around the world.

Igal Zaidenstein is the President and Founder of the American Friends of the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center (AFIICC), an organization that preserves and promotes the rich legacy of Israeli intelligence history. 

Brig. General (Res.) Yosef Kuperwasser is the head of the Institute for the Research of Intelligence Methodology at the Israel Intelligence Heritage and Commemoration Center. Brig. General Kuperwasser was formerly the Director General of the Ministry of International Affairs and Strategy.  

Harley Lippman is the CEO and Founder of Genesis10, an IT consulting and staffing firm. He is a frequent commentator on Middle East politics for a variety of publications and has developed strong ties with many of the region’s leaders. 

General Aharon Zeevi Farkash is an expert in the field of security, military and intelligence. During the General’s service in the IDF, he was prominent in strategic planning, direction of projects and management, and leading large military units