Turmoil and Opportunities in the Middle East: A View from the Pentagon

Thursday, April 23, 2015
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
(Pacific)
Speaker: 
  • Matthew Spence

**Please note that the event time has been changed to 4:30-6:30pm.**

Abstract

The Middle East security landscape is as complex and challenging as ever: The rise of ISIL; ongoing instability in Syria and Iraq; the framework of a nuclear agreement and the challenges of Iran's destabilizing activities. Dr. Spence will discuss how the U.S. Defense Department approaches these immediate challenges, as well as the impact of longer-term challenges and opportunities in the region. Dr. Spence will also discuss the role of the Defense Department in supporting political reform in the Middle East.

 

Speaker Bio

Image
matthewspence
Dr. Matthew Spence was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy in February 2012.  He is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Middle East policy, including Iraq, Syria, Iran, Israel, Egypt, and the Gulf states.  Prior to that, Dr. Spence worked at the White House on the National Security Council as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economic Affairs and as Senior Advisor to two National Security Advisors. Dr. Spence is the co-founder of the Truman National Security Project. He has served as a Lecturer in International Relations at Oxford University, and has been widely published in international affairs. Trained as a lawyer, Dr. Spence also practiced criminal and international law in California, and served as a law clerk for Judge Richard Posner. A Marshall Scholar and Truman Scholar, Dr. Spence received his doctorate in International Relations from Oxford University; J.D. from Yale Law School; and B.A. and M.A. in International Policy Studies from Stanford University. He was born and raised in southern California.