The liquidation of Qasem Soleimani, Quds Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, brought another tensions to the very unstable region of the Middle East. Soleimani was killed in Baghdad by a US drone at the behest of President Trump. The Iranian ambassador to the UN subsequently said that it was about to start a war and there would be hard revenge. Iran also announced that it is no longer following a nuclear agreement with Western countries. Thus, the United States has identified 52 Iranian targets to intervene if Tehran strikes any U.S. person or target in revenge for killing Soleimani. According to Trump, in the case of Iran's action, the US will quickly & fully strike back.

What was the motive of this action and what did Donald Trump pursue in liquidating Soleimani? Was he interested in the security of American citizens or were he trying to earn political points for the upcoming presidential election? Will the situation continue to escalate or calm down what means that the long-term status quo could continue? How do Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey and the EU deal with it? Are there actors to whom the escalated situation suits?

Welcome speech:

Jaroslav Bžoch, Vice-chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Parliament of the Czech Republic

Confirmed speakers:

Ondřej Veselý, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Parliament of the Czech Republic

Jaroslav Bžoch, Vice-chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Parliament of the Czech Republic

Tomáš Pojar, Security Expert, CEVRO Institut

Jan Fingerland, Commentator, Czech Radio

Petr Boháček, Research Fellow, AMO Research Center

Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society

Moderator:

Roman Máca, Analyst, Institute for Politics and Society

This event will be held on 23 January 2020, 17:00-19:00 in CEVRO Institut, Jungmannova 17, Prague.

The working language is Czech.