We hosted an armchair conversation on the evolving intersections among Venezuela, Iran and the broader Middle East, and what these relationships mean for U.S. interests and foreign policy. As Washington confronts mounting instability across multiple regions, questions surrounding sanctions, energy security, regional conflict and strategic alliances have grown more urgent.
The discussion comes at a consequential moment. The United States and Iran have entered a fragile two-week ceasefire tied to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, easing immediate concerns about a broader regional war while leaving key issues unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear program, proxy groups and the future of U.S. engagement in the Middle East. At the same time, tensions persist across the region, including ongoing conflict in Lebanon and uncertainty surrounding Iran-backed militias and their role in attacks on U.S. interests.
The conversation featured Elliott Abrams, senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. special representative for both Venezuela and Iran, in conversation with Baker Institute Director David M. Satterfield. Together, they examined the latest developments involving Venezuela, Iran and key actors across the Middle East, and explored how these relationships shape U.S. diplomacy, security and economic priorities.
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Agenda
5:30 pm CDT — Reception
6:00 pm CDT — Armchair Conversation
6:30 pm CDT — Q&A Session
Participants
Moderator
David M. Satterfield
Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy; Former ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey
Featured Speaker
Elliott Abrams is senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He previously served as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser under President George W. Bush, overseeing U.S. policy in the Middle East, and later as U.S. special representative for Venezuela and Iran during the Trump administration. He also held senior roles at the State Department during the Reagan administration, where he received the secretary of state’s Distinguished Service Award.
Abrams has held leadership roles at several policy institutions, including serving as president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and has been a member of multiple federal advisory bodies, including the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. He is the author and editor of several books on U.S. foreign policy and international affairs, and is fluent in French and Spanish.