#USA #New York #Lebanese American University #Cedar Dialogues #Dr. Bernard Haykel

LAU New York Launches Cedar Dialogues Forum

On November 6, 2026, the Lebanese American University (LAU) took a significant step in promoting intellectual discourse with the launch of the Cedar Dialogues at its New York Debbane Campus, located in the bustling heart of Midtown Manhattan. This new initiative aims to create a platform for critical conversations on key issues facing Lebanon, the Levant, and the broader global community.

The event was presided over by LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah, who inaugurated the series before an enthusiastic audience gathered in the newly refurbished lecture hall. This inaugural event featured a notable address by Dr. Bernard Haykel, a distinguished professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, renowned for his expertise on Gulf states and Islamist political movements. His lecture, titled, “The Future of the Middle East Between Revisionist and Status Quo States and Ideologies,” served to set the tone for future discussions.

Attendees included key figures such as Mike Ahmar, Chair of the Board of Trustees, former Board Chair Philip Stoltzfus, and Carla Debbane, representative of the Debbane family. These guests underscored the significance of the occasion, marking the beginning of a series of vital discussions aimed at amplifying Lebanese and regional voices in the global discourse.

The Cedar Dialogues are envisioned as a transformative platform that brings together Lebanese scholars, artists, and leaders from various sectors including academia, diplomacy, business, and public life. This initiative has been made possible through the generous support of the Raymond Debbane Family Foundation, highlighting LAU's commitment to fostering meaningful exchanges that bridge cultures and ideas.

In his opening remarks, President Abdallah emphasized the university’s dual identity, describing LAU as both a Lebanese and an American institution. He remarked, “LAU's identity is a dialogue,” indicating that the Cedar Dialogues aim to foster a bridge between contrasting perspectives. The president also noted the often-overlooked narratives from Lebanese and regional speakers, declaring that the Cedar Dialogues would provide “a place where the Middle East does some of the talking.”

Dr. Haykel’s lecture addressed the shifting sands of power in the Middle East, discussing the contest between emerging revisionist states seeking to reshape the regional order and those striving to maintain the status quo. He articulated a moment of crucial transformation, one where alliances are evolving, and strategic objectives are undergoing recalibration.

As a hallmark event, the Debbane Lecture is expected to serve as an annual keynote for the Cedar Dialogues, kicking off each season’s program. Following this inaugural discussion, LAU New York plans to expand its offerings with future talks on various themes including history, the fine arts, fashion, gender issues, civil society, and entrepreneurship.

The Cedar Dialogues underscore LAU's commitment to nurturing a global community where diverse ideas and narratives can flourish, challenging inaction and engaging in dialogues that matter. With this initiative, LAU aims to position itself as a vital hub for intellectual enrichment and cultural connection among global citizens, fostering understanding and collaboration across borders.

Through these engaging discussions, the Cedar Dialogues will not only enrich the participants' understanding but also contribute to a more nuanced appreciation of Lebanon's role on the international stage. As the discussions unfold, it is poised to become a prominent venue for the exchange of ideas that shape the present and future of the Levant and beyond.