June 19, 2026
The Forum Roundtable:
From Revolution to Iran War: The Islamic Republic’s Regional Impact

Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Islamic Republic has wreaked havoc across the Middle East building its terror proxy networks, aligning itself with nefarious enemies of the West, intimidating and harassing its neighbors, developing ballistic missile and drone capabilities as well as a clandestine nuclear weapons program, and launching wars. While its primary targets may be the Little Satin Israel and the Big Satin America, the impact of its policies and actions have impacted the trajectory of the region from Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to the Gulf nations and Israel. Operations Midnight Hammer, Epic Fury and Rising Lion, and Roaring Lion were the beginning of the U.S. and Israel finally confronting Iran’s hegemonic and nuclear ambitions but their impact remains unclear. Joining us to break all of this down is an all star panel of Middle East Forum experts, Gregg Roman, MEF Executive Director, Michael Rubin, Director of Policy Analysis, and Jonathan Spyer, Director of Research & MEQ Editor.

Gregg Roman is executive director of the Middle East Forum. He previously served as political advisor to Israel’s deputy foreign minister and worked with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and is a frequent speaker on Middle East affairs.

Jonathan Spyer is director of research at the Middle East Forum and editor of the Middle East Quarterly. A journalist and analyst focused on the Levant and Middle East strategic affairs, he has reported from Syria and Iraq and is the author of Days of the Fall: A Reporter’s Journey in the Syria and Iraq Wars.

Michael Rubin is director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He specializes in Iran, Turkey, and the Horn of Africa, and his career includes service as a Pentagon official and extensive field experience across the region.

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