Geopolitical Insights at the highest Level – Reflections on the Alma Center Conference (21.05.25)

For anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of regional dynamics, hearing different perspectives, and receiving up-to-date geopolitical analysis, the Alma Center Conference last Wednesday was an absolute highlight.

The conference brought together top analysts, security experts, and policymakers to unpack some of the most complex and rapidly evolving issues in the Middle East. If you're not yet familiar with the work of the Alma Research and Education Center, I highly recommend checking out this blogpost that gives more background on their mission and activities.

Several sessions stood out for their depth and the urgency of the topics discussed:

• "Lebanon – A Historic Opportunity to Oust Hezbollah?" Led by Alma’s founder and president, Lt. Col. (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, this session offered a compelling strategic overview of the current power vacuum in Lebanon and the unique (and rare) regional and internal conditions that could challenge Hezbollah’s dominance.

  
  

• Briefing by Dr. Eric Mandel: "American Policy Toward Israel’s Northern Border, Syria & Iran"Dr. Mandel provided a detailed briefing on the current and future role of the United States in the northern arena. For anyone trying to understand Washington’s evolving position in the region, this was essential listening.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Personally, the session that left the strongest impression on me was:

• "Syria: From a Shiite Axis to a Sunni Axis? – New Threats in the Syrian Arena"This deep dive into Syria’s shifting alliances and power structures highlighted how the internal and external actors shaping the country are changing dramatically. The growing influence of Turkey under President Erdoğan was portrayed as not only a regional wildcard but a potentially destabilizing force. The discussion challenged common narratives and underlined the complexity of Syria’s transformation — from being a stronghold of the Iranian axis to becoming a battlefield of competing Sunni interests.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

In a region where the geopolitical landscape is shifting by the week, having access to such informed projections and insider insights was a privilege. Conferences like this one underscore how important it is to stay informed and nuanced — especially when dealing with such volatile developments.

A big thank you to the #AlmaResearchandEducationCenter Team around the CEO David Ur for organizing this timely and thought-provoking event.

Looking forward to the next one in #2026!

#northernisrael #geopolitical #conference #momentfromisrael