WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 6, 2026 – The Middle East Forum (MEF) is convening a closed-door interparliamentary briefing that will bring together U.S. and Israeli lawmakers, diplomats, and security officials to advance the 3+1 Eastern Mediterranean partnership, the strategic alliance linking Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and the United States, and confront Turkey’s growing threat to regional stability.
The 3+1 Framework: Strengthening Eastern Mediterranean Cooperation,” hosted from Israel by the Eastern Mediterranean Knesset Caucus and co-moderated by MEF Executive Director Gregg Roman, will take place virtually on February 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. Administration officials and congressional staff will hear directly from legislators in the 3+1 partnership as they outline plans for defense cooperation, energy and trade initiatives, and strategies for containing Turkey, the region’s principal geopolitical disruptor.
Legislators will outline plans for defense cooperation, energy and trade initiatives, and strategies for containing Turkey.
Keynote speakers include Members of the Knesset Ohad Tal and Alon Schuster, co-chairs of the Eastern Mediterranean Knesset Caucus, a parliamentary body established to advance 3+1 cooperation; Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), author of the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act; and Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), who publicly opposed the sale of F-35 jets to Turkey.
Participants will discuss advancing Rep. Schneider’s legislation to strengthen 3+1 participation in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act, which is designed to fortify joint counterterrorism efforts and secure vital sea lanes. Additional topics include building partnerships in energy diversification, trade expansion, and emerging technologies such as AI and cybersecurity, as well as countering Turkish threats through diplomatic pressure, enhanced intelligence sharing, and targeted U.S. support to maintain Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME).
“The Eastern Mediterranean is where American interests, allied defense, and energy security converge, and Turkey is the chief obstacle,” said Roman. “This briefing equips policymakers with concrete tools to fortify the 3+1 alliance, check Turkish aggression, and unlock new opportunities in energy and technology that strengthen America’s strategic position.”
To request access to this event (limited to qualified policymakers and media), contact the Middle East Forum at media@meforum.org.
The Middle East Forum, a nonprofit organization, promotes American interests in the region and protects Western civilization from Islamism. It does so through its publications, research, policy initiatives, and public education programs. Subscribe to the MEF mailing list here.
For more information, visit www.meforum.org.
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Gregg Roman
roman@meforum.org
+1 (215) 546 5406
