Distinguished Israelis view new East Mediterranean politics

The Israeli perspective on the new political climate in the Eastern Mediterranean is the subject of presentations at a special panel that is chaired in Thessaloniki by Charles J. Mouratides, CHI’s executive director.

From our own point of view, four major geostrategic factors have entered the picture in the Eastern Mediterranean since 2010, according to Mouratides: The alliance between Israel and Greece/Cyprus; discovery by Israel of large deposits of natural gas in the seabed; local civil wars under the umbrella of ‘Arab Spring,’ and the active projection locally of Iran’s power through proxies and as a potential nuclear power.

The panel discussion will be part of the 4^th Annual Defense and Security Conference organized by Strategy International, an organization based in Thessaloniki and an affiliate of CHI.

The two main speakers at this panel discussion are internationally distinguished political scientists.

The first panelist is Dr. Eytan Gilboa, director of the School of Communication at Bar-Ilan University (BIU), Tel Aviv, and director of the Center for International Communication. The title of his presentation will be, ”Israel, Greece and the U.S.: The Need for New Strategic Alliances in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

The second speaker is Dr. Efraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA) at BIU. He will speak on “National Security Challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean.” BESA was recently recognized internationally as one of the three leading think tanks in the Middle East and the top one in Israel.

Prof. Gilboa, who specializes in U.S.- Israel relations and Middle East relations is also an adjunct professor at University of Southern California, author of books and articles, a specialist in Public Diplomacy, and a political consultant. He has taught in the U.S. as a visiting professor.

Prof. Inbar is also a professor of political studies at BIU with an area of specialization in Middle Eastern strategic issue and special interest in the politics and strategy of Israeli national security. He has authored many books and articles and has taught in the U.S.

Dr. Eytan Gilboa, director of the School of Communication at Bar-Ilan University. Full Bio		Dr. Efraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA) at Bar-Ilan University. Full Bio

“In our effort to understand political and strategic changes in the Eastern Mediterranean, it is essential to understand the views of the Israelis,” Mouratides said. “Israel is the area’s super-power and one of the world’s most technologically advanced nations. That is one reason why CHI showcases this panel, in addition to the fact that Israel and Greece have developed a special relationship.” The eight countries of the Eastern Mediterranean basin are Libya, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Turkey and Greece.
The Defense Conference is held in English on March 7-9, at Porto Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki and is open to the public by reservation. Interested individuals may register online at StrategyInternational.org/conference2013.

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