David Makovsky, a leading expert on Middle Eastern affairs, told a Northwestern audience in Fisk Hall 217 on Wednesday why cooperation between the U.S. and Israel is essential in the face of an Iranian nuclear threat.
“The Iran issue is not unique to Israel, but to all Middle Eastern countries and to the U.S.,” Makovsky said. “Iran is not just a country, but a cause.”
The NU Israeli Public Affairs Committee, a newly organized subset of Students for Israel, hosted the event as part of its goal to draw attention to current events and stimulate interest in U.S.-Israel relations, said Nathan Enfield, the group’s co-president.
“We want to encourage dialogue and debate about a very complicated issue,” the Weinberg freshman said. “Makovsky is an absolute expert in Middle Eastern and Israeli affairs, and if anybody can deliver an accurate and informed presentation on this issue, he can.”
With his focus on Middle Eastern studies, Makovsky can educate the NU community on the significance of U.S.-Israel cooperation, said Sarah Spielberger, one of the committee’s co-founders.
“With the recent focus on issues in Iran, it’s important to understand where the U.S. and Israel stand, and Makovsky can inform us on that,” the Weinberg freshman said.
With Iran as a destabilizing authority in the region, the U.S. and Israel share common concerns, Makovsky said. The success of an Iranian nuclear weapons program could lead to a regional arms race, or proliferation to non-state actors, he said.
The U.S. and Israel must work together to contend with the threat, he added.
“We must try to reach an accommodation with Iran so Iran does not go down the nuclear route,” Makovsky said.
Makovsky said the U.S. should attempt dialogues with Iran on controlling the nation’s nuclear weapons program with the support of Israel and other international allies.
“The goal is to have a unified multi-lateral strategy with international allies and tell Iran that there are clear incentives for success and clear consequences if talks fail,” Makovsky said.
International cooperation is also necessary in peace talks between Israel and Palestine to find a solution that gives both nations “dignity,” Makovsky said.
The meeting between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 18 was crucial to developing a solid, personal relationship between the two countries, Makovsky said.
“The U.S.-Israel relationship will be tested in ways that it hasn’t been tested before,” he said. “The first step was building trust with that first one-on-one meeting.”
Makovsky said dialogue among leaders is not an ultimate solution to conflict in the Middle East, but as of now, “engagement without illusions” is the best course of action to take. “We can’t guarantee success with talks,” he said. “But we’re better off having at least tried because it makes our other options more legitimate and credible.”
