About the Conference

In recent months the Middle East has experienced an uptick in tensions ranging from Iranian-led cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, increased maritime attacks, and sponsorship of terrorist proxies across the region spilling over to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Iran’s fostering of extremist ideology will undoubtedly continue unabated as Iran progresses in its nuclear capabilities.

Ambiguity over sanctions exists as while the Biden administration seeks to revive the nuclear deal the US continues to impose a degree of sanctions on Iran.

All the while, Iran is attracting investments and increasing trade with Asia enabling Iran’s nuclear ambitions to continue unabated.
Gulf Futures Forum 2022
The Looming Iranian Threat: Mitigating Risk & Preventing Crisis
Speakers
-
H.E Dr. Ali Al Nuaim
H.E Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi is member of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC), Chairman of the Defense Affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee at FNC and chairman of Hedayah
-
US Ambassador Dennis Ross
Former Special Assistant to President Obama, National Security Council Senior Director for the Central Region
-
The Hon. Elliott Abrams
Former US Special Representative to Iran & Venezuela.
-
THE HON. DR. DOV ZAKHEIM
Former US Undersecretary of Defense, (Comptroller), Chief Financial Officer in the George W. Bush administration & former DOD’s coordinator of civilian programs in Afghanistan.
-
FORMER DIRECTOR GENERAL OLLI HEINONEN
Former Deputy Director General of the IAEA, and head of its Department of Safeguards.
-
Norman Roule
Former National Intelligence Manager for Iran (NIM-I) at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and former Division Chief, Deputy Division Chief and Chief of Station at CIA Directorate of Operations.
-
General (ret.) Joseph Votel
Former Commander of U.S. Central Command & Distinguished Senior Fellow on National Security at the Middle East Institute.
-
Vice Admiral United States Navy (ret), Kevin Donegan
Former commander of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and commander of the 32-nation Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East
-
Major Gen. (res) Advisor Yaakov Amidror
Former National Security of Israel.
-
Major General (res) Dr. Eran Lerman
Former Deputy National Security Advisor of Israel.
-
Brigadier General (res) Yossi Kuperwasser
Former Deputy National Security Advisor of Israel.
-
Prof. Michael Clarke
Former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Specialist Advisor to the British Joint Committee on National Security Strategy, & specialist adviser to the House of Commons Defence Committee.
-
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT DR. EBTESAM AL KETBI
Emirates Policy Center & is a professor of political science at United Arab Emirates University & a member of the Consultative Commission of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
-
Mark Dubowitz
Chief Executive, Foundation Defense of Democracies.
-
Dr Jonathan Schanzer
Vice President of Research at the Foundation Defense of Democracies.
-
SENIOR VP ILAN BERMAN
Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC & author of numerous books on Iran.
Gulf Futures Forum 2022
The Looming Iranian Threat: Mitigating Risk & Preventing Crisis
THE AGENDA
(Times in GMT)
Welcoming Remarks • 09:00-09:10
Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Crisis on the Future of Gulf Security
Speakers - Barak M. Seener CEO of Strategic IntelligentiaSession • 11:00-12:00
Iran's Nuclear & Regional Aspirations
Speakers - Dr. Ebtesam Al Ketbi, Olli Heinonen, Major Gen. (res) Yaakov AmidrorSession • 12:00-13:00
The Impact of Iran's Regional Strategy on Gulf Security
Speakers - Norman Roule, Major General (res) Dr. Eran Lerman, Dr. Ebtesam Al KetbiSession • 13:00-14:00
Risks to Maritime & Energy Security
Speakers - General (ret.) Joseph Votel, Vice Admiral (ret.) Kevin DoneganSession • 14:00-15:00
Risks to Cybersecurity
Speakers - Vice Admiral (ret.) Kevin Donegan, Bryan WareSession • 15:00-16:00
The Geopolitical Dimensions to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Speakers - Brigadier General (res) Yossi Kuperwasser, Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, Dr. Ilan Berman, H.E Dr. Ali Al NuaimiSession • 16:00-17:00
The Future of the JCPOA & Impact on Iran's Regional Calculus
Speakers - Amb. Dennis Ross, The Hon. Elliott Abrams, Mark DubowitzSession • 17:00-18:00
US Withdrawal From Afghanistan – Risks to Security & Trade in the Gulf
Speakers - HON. Dov Zakheim, Prof. Michael Clarke, Richard Kemp
Join the discussion
Exclusive sessions with subject matter experts
BREAKout Rooms
(Times in GMT)
Breakout • 10:00-11:00
Can Faith Stabilise Risk?
Hosts - Rabbi Yoni Golker, Imam Qari Muhammad Asim MBEBreakout • 11:00-12:00
RISKS TO INFRASTRUCTURE & SUPPLY CHAINS ACROSS THE GULF IN THE ESG ERA?
Hosts - Oliver CornockBreakout • 14:00-15:00
The Future of Global Intelligence Technologies: CAST System
Hosts - Leah TedrowBreakout • 15:00-16:00
US-Saudi Arabia Strategic Ties: 2025
Hosts - Ryan Bohl