At ThinkFest 2026, renowned Middle East expert Dr. Vali Nasr (Johns Hopkins SAIS) delivers a stark analysis of the post-October 7 regional transformation in a conversation with Najam Sethi. Nasr argues the Gaza war has collapsed the old Middle East order, revealing Israel's imperialistic vision of military domination, evaporating Iran's regional influence, and killing the two-state solution permanently.
Key Insights: • Israel's consensus: Military domination, not compromise, ensures security • Iran's regional influence has "evaporated" - what's next for Hezbollah & Hamas? • Trump's "Peace Committee" as colonial oversight without Palestinian representation • Normalization with Saudi Arabia now on Israel's terms only • The "earthquake" effect: How Gaza diminished the West in Global South eyes • Middle powers (Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, UAE) strategically diminished • Why no external pressure exists to force Israeli compromise