On February 19th, 2024, Yeshiva University’s chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS) hosted national security expert Dr. Michael Doran for its first event. Dr. Doran is a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., and he is the Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at Hudson. He previously served as a senior director on the National Security Council under President Bush.

Straus Scholars Yaakov Willner (YC ‘25) and Gavriel Buchwald (YC ‘26), respectively president and vice president of YU’s AHS chapter, organized the event in partnership with YU’s Political Action Club (YUPAC). Dr. Doran’s presentation, “Israel and Hamas at War: The Day After,” provided timely insights to YU students on the current conflict.

Dr. Doran spoke about the need to destroy Hamas, the complex situation that Israel faces in Rafah, and whether the Biden administration will recognize a Palestinian state. He also discussed the situation at Israel’s northern border, where Israel faces the terrorist organization Hezbollah, and how the Biden administration is engaging in negotiations to avoid escalation there. 

Over thirty students attended the meeting, which included a question-and-answer session as well. Students queried Dr. Doran on the developing situation and American and Israeli national security more generally. After the event, a select group of students hosted Dr. Doran for dinner and led him on a tour of YU’s campus, including a glimpse of night seder (evening study session) in the Jacob and Dreizel Glueck Center for Jewish Study.