- 03 Jul 2024
[Virtual Book Talk] Hope and Despair: Israel’s Future in the Middle East
This event is organised by MEI Political Economy Cluster.
Before Hamas’ attacks on Israel on 7 October and the ensuing war in Gaza, most of the policy discussions in the Middle East focused on the process of normalisation between Israel and the Arab world. The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020 between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, seemed to herald a new era for the region. In his book, Hope & Despair, Michael A. Horowitz tells the story behind this push for normalisation. It looks not only at the hopes ushered in by the normalisation agreements, but also at the enduring despair both Israelis and Palestinians feel about the waning prospects for peace. Rather than examining the past, Horowitz looks to Israel’s future — one marked by new opportunities, but also tremendous challenges, as the country tries to find its place in a region trying to find itself.
This book talk, hosted by MEI, will provide the opportunity to discuss the current state of Israel-Arab normalisation efforts, as well as its prospects beyond the ongoing war, with the author.
This virtual event will be conducted on Wednesday, 3 July 2024 from 3.00pm to 4.00pm (SGT). The event is free, and open to all. However, registration is compulsory.
Book discount promo code: HOROWITZ25 , Hurst Publishers.
About the Speakers
Head of Intelligence
Le Beck International
Michael Horowitz is a geopolitical expert with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa. He has held various related analyst, management and advisory positions over the past several years. Currently, Michael serves as the head of Le Beck International’s Intelligence branch, and provides geopolitical and security services to governments, NGOs and global corporations working in the region.
Michael began his career in this field after completing degrees in International Affairs at Science Po (IEP Paris) and an M.S. in Management in HEC, Europe’s leading business school, and after serving in the military.
His commentary and analysis can be found in multiple international and regional outlets, including major publications like The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, BBC, and AP. Michael’s work has also served as a basis for discussions in the US Congress, and in the main think-tank of the British military amongst others. He is also a regular contributor to al-Majalla, a Saudi foreign policy magazine.
Senior Research Fellow
Middle East Institute, NUS
Dr Jean-Loup Samaan is a Senior Research Fellow specialising in Middle East strategic affairs, with a particular focus on Israel–Hizballah conflict and the evolution of the Gulf security system. Prior to joining MEI, he held various positions in the policy sector. He worked as a visiting scholar with the RAND Corporation (2007-2008) and as an advisor at the directorate for strategic affairs of the French Ministry of Defense (2008-2011). He then gained extensive experience in the domain of military education and training, first as a deputy director for the Middle East Faculty of the NATO Defense College (2011-2016) and as an associate professor in strategic studies with the UAE National Defense College (2016-2021).
Dr Samaan has written four books as well as various articles for academic and policy journals. He holds a PhD in political science from University of Paris La Sorbonne (2009) and an accreditation to supervise research (2017) by the doctoral school of Sciences Po, Paris.
