On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint assault on Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
With military action entering its second week, three members of the Notre Dame faculty are hosting a flash panel in 1050 Jenkins Nanovic Halls to discuss what has happened and what will happen next.
Emilia Justyna Powell is a Professor of Political Science and Concurrent Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame. She has written extensively on international law, international courts, territorial and maritime disputes, international dispute resolution, the Islamic legal tradition, and Islamic constitutionalism.
Asher Kaufman is the John M. Regan Jr. Director of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and Professor of History and Peace Studies. His areas of expertise include the modern Middle East with a particular focus on Lebanon, Israel, and Syria.
Eugene Gholz is an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame and a Principal at the O'Brien Notre Dame International Security Center. He works primarily at the intersection of national security and economic policy, on subjects including innovation, defense management, and U.S. grand strategy. From 2010-2012, he served in the Pentagon as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy.
This is a hyrbid event. Join us via Zoom.
Originally published at ondisc.nd.edu.