Yadlin elaborated that in Israel’s short history, the country has often faced more dismal political circumstances than those in the present.
Still, Meridor stressed the “need to be very cautionary and modest.”
“We have seen Egypt in a worse situation a year ago” Meridor said, referring to the Egyptian revolution that culminated in the resignation of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
The American speakers appeared warier of the present situation overseas.
“I’m usually an optimist by nature…[but] when I look at the region I see some very fundamental shifts and changes that will likely take the next generation to play out,” Flournoy said. “I hate to be the dark cloud after [Yadlin’s] optimism, but I think the region is in deep turmoil.”
The conversation was generally well-received by audience members.
“I feel like I learned quite a bit,” said Yoav Shaked ’17. “All the speakers were amazing and they spoke very well.”