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Conference in DC: Iran in the Middle East: Expanding Influence, Accelerating Arms Race: Myth or Reality?

Source: The Century Foundation

Experts from the Middle East to highlight Iran's objectives in the region

Less than two weeks before the June 12th presidential elections in Iran, U.S. and international experts will convene in Washington D.C. to discuss Iran's growing religious and political influence in the Middle East and how its growing influence will affect the region and the future of U.S.-Iranian relations.

The press conference and symposium, "Iran in the Middle East: Expanding Influence, Accelerating Arms Race: Myth or Reality?" will be held on Wednesday, June 10th and is hosted by The Century Foundation, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, and the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

Featured speakers will include experts and policymakers from the region:

Jasim Husain Ali , Member of Council of Representatives, Kingdom of Bahrain

Seyed Mohammad Marandi , Director of North American Studies, University of Tehran

Saad Mehio , Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Beirut, Lebanon

Geneive Abdo , Iran Analyst, The Century Foundation

WHAT: Press conference and symposium on "Iran in the Middle East: Expanding Influence, Accelerating Arms Race: Myth or Reality?" WHEN: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Press conference: 10-11 a.m. Symposium: Noon to 4 p.m. WHERE: The Century Foundation 1333 H. Street N.W., 10th Floor Washington, D.C. NOTE: To RSVP, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by June 5, 2009

"This conference offers Washington a rare chance to hear first-hand about Iran's role in the Middle East from policymakers and experts in the region," said Geneive Abdo , Iran analyst at The Century Foundation. "Iran's increasing influence is alarming the United States and Israel and causing Arab states to warn of a developing arms race. With the election of a new Iranian president on June 12, Iranno doubt will be reassessing its role in the Middle East."

The Century Foundation, founded in 1919 by the progressive businessman Edward A. Filene , is a nonprofit public policy research institution committed to the belief that a mix of effective government, open democracy, and free markets is the most effective s