As the Middle East undergoes a profound transformation, a central question is emerging: What is the current conflict really about?
That question will take center stage at The Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York on June 1, during a high-level panel tentatively titled “The New Middle East: Terror, Influence and the War for the West.” The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, and will feature Middle East analyst Rawan Osman alongside Oded Ailam, former head of the Counter-Terrorism Division at the Mossad.
Together, they will explore what Diker has increasingly described as a broader ideological battle shaping not only Israel’s future, but that of the West. In recent remarks, Diker has warned that Western societies have struggled to recognize how extremist ideologies exploit democratic freedoms to advance long-term strategic goals, often without conventional warfare.
At a Jerusalem Post conference last year, Diker pointed to a striking disconnect between Israeli and Western perspectives in the aftermath of October 7. He cited polling showing overwhelming Israeli opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state under current conditions, reflecting what he described as a fundamental shift in national consensus.
He also highlighted what he sees as a growing “inversion” in global narratives, where Israel’s actions are increasingly judged through a distorted moral lens. That framing, he argued, has consequences not only for Israel’s security but for how the West understands the nature of the threat it faces.
This year’s panel is expected to build on those insights, with fresh analysis and a deeper examination of how influence, ideology, and misinformation intersect in today’s geopolitical landscape.
The Jerusalem Post Conference will take place on June 1 in New York against the backdrop of one of the most consequential periods in recent history. The full-day event will take place 583 Park Avenue and include a lineup of some of the most senior Israeli security officials, U.S. government representatives, business leaders, philanthropists, and influential thinkers.
For a full list of participants and to purchase tickets, visit https://conferences.jpost.com/new-york-2026.