A Maxwell in DC Conversation: Understanding Iran

9 October, 2025, 6 PM-7:30 PM

Panelists will explore the variety of ways to understand the Iranian regime’s goals and motivations, and how that influences U.S. foreign policy decisions.

Join Maxwell in Washington, D.C., for a panel discussion, “Understanding Iran.” In our conversation, our group of panelists will explore the variety of ways to understand the Iranian regime’s goals and motivations, and how that influences U.S. foreign policy decisions.

Discussion participants will include panelists Jonathan Panikoff ’08 J.D./M.A. (IR), director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Program, and Elisa Catalano Ewers, former Iran negotiator and senior policy advisor on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and moderator Nayyera Haq, assistant dean for Washington Programs and former White House senior director covering national security.

Online registration requested by Monday, October 1 through the event's online registration page. Questions can be directed to Alyssa Tender, Maxwell-in-Washington events and engagement coordinator.

Jonathan Panikoff '08 J.D./M.A. (IR)

Jonathan Panikoff is the director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Program, and Senior Fellow in the GeoEconomics Center. A former career U.S. intelligence officer, Panikoff served as the deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) from 2015 to 2020. In this role, he represented the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) at the assistant secretary-level for interagency policy meetings, provided intelligence assessments to senior U.S. policymakers on Middle East issues, and advised the director of national intelligence and ODNI leadership on the region.

Following his tenure on the NIC, Panikoff led the Intelligence Community’s (IC) analytic support to the U.S. presidential transition, for which he served as the senior IC point of contact for all incoming cabinet secretary-level designates. Most recently, he served as director of ODNI’s Investment Security Group where he oversaw a team of 26 and led the IC’s efforts on foreign-investment reviews—most prominently for Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and Team Telecom issues—and supported the development of foreign allies’ investment review regimes. Previously, Panikoff was executive assistant to the deputy director of national intelligence where part of his responsibilities included preparing the deputy director to deliver the Presidential Daily Briefing.

Prior to joining ODNI, Panikoff led analysis on a variety of Middle East and counterterrorism issues at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Earlier in his career, he worked for a consultancy specializing in foreign corporate due diligence and risk avoidance and as a fellow at the US Mission to NATO. He lived in Israel during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War, conducting field research into the political dynamics of terrorist organizations.

Panikoff holds a J.D. from Syracuse University’s College of Law, an M.A. in international relations from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, and a B.A .in international affairs and political science from the George Washington University. He is admitted to the bar in both New York and Connecticut. Panikoff is a term member on the Council on Foreign Relations and was a 2016 Shawn Brimley Fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

Elisa Catalano Ewers

Elisa Catalano Ewers is adjunct senior fellow in the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, where she focuses on the Middle East and U.S. national security and foreign policy. From 2005 to 2016, Ewers served as a foreign policy and national security expert on the U.S. Government. Her last position was as a director for the Middle East and North Africa on the National Security Council.

Prior to her White House position, she acted as senior policy advisor to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, and before that to Under Secretary for Policy Affairs Bill Burns. Ewers advised on foreign and national security policy with a Middle East and counter-terrorism focus, covering the range of security, political and economic issues, including the Iran negotiations, U.S. policy in response to the “Arab spring,” transition in Iraq and relations with the Gulf Arab states. Ewers has also served in the State Department, as senior advisor to the assistant secretary for Near East affairs, chief of staff to the coordinator for Iraq and senior advisor for the Gulf and Southwest Asia. She has also worked in the private sector, for Booz Allen Hamilton and Wellington Management Company.

Nayyera Haq

Nayyera Haq is a highly respected communications expert, trusted by global leaders and organizations to elevate their public presence. With a career spanning government, media and the corporate world, Haq has prepared executives, policymakers and thought leaders for speeches at the United Nations, global leadership conferences and boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies. Her unique experience as a former White House senior director and global affairs analyst for CNN and MSNBC enables her to offer unparalleled insights into leadership, messaging and media strategy.

Prior to joining Maxwell, Haq worked as a consultant advising global CEO’s and nonprofit leaders on how to navigate transitions and social change. She has also worked as a news anchor, radio host and contributing columnist for national news organizations.

Haq spent nearly two decades in public service, including the U.S. Department of State as a senior advisor for public affairs and spokesperson, and in similar roles at the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Treasury in addition to her role as senior director of cabinet affairs role at the White House. She has also held leadership positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, advising Congressional leaders and committees on policy development and public engagement.