2026 International Speaker Series

Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and a Region in Crisis

Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Virtual

About the Event

Tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have escalated sharply, raising the risk of a broader regional conflict and renewed volatility in global energy markets. At the center is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but essential passage through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil flows, making it one of the most strategically significant chokepoints in the global economy.

As events continue to unfold, this moment offers a critical window to understand the forces shaping what comes next.

What strategic objectives are shaping U.S. and Israeli actions, and how is Iran calibrating its response? How are regional actors positioning themselves, and what does this moment reveal about shifting alliances, deterrence, and the role of diplomacy? What are the implications for international law, multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, and the future of U.S. engagement in the region?

This session features an in-depth conversation with Elisa Ewers, a leading practitioner in U.S. national security and foreign policy, who will examine how policymakers are assessing the current crisis, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the scenarios that could unfold next. The conversation will be moderated by Ambassador Peter Galbraith, whose diplomatic experience will help ground the discussion in historical context and policy insight.

Speakers

Elisa Ewers

Senior Fellow for Middle East Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

Moderated by:

Ambassador Peter Galbraith

Former U.S. Ambassador to Croatia