Makovsky, whose new book with Dennis Ross, "Myths, Illusions, and Peace: Finding a New Direction in the Middle East," came out on June 11, is considered one of the top experts in his field.

He began his remarks to the board with the results from the June 12 presidential election in Iran, which returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the presidency. Makovsky noted that the incredible speed of the announcement of the winner is just one sign that the outcome was more than likely fixed. But he pointed out the Iranian public’s protest of the results and said that indicated that Ahmadinejad would lead his nation with a “legitimacy deficit” that could hamper his agenda on many fronts.

Of course one of Ahmadinejad’s most vociferous endeavors is Iran’s nuclear program, and Makovsky said the “clock is ticking on the nuclear issue.” He cautioned that “Iran with a nuclear weapon is a game changer for the Middle East.” He said a nuclear Iran would create a “new Middle East in the worst sense of the word.” Makovsky said a nuclear-armed Iran could easily beget an arms race in the region. Makovsky encouraged the United States to engage with Iran, but cautioned that Iran could just be “playing out the clock” by using the talks to stall while Tehran continue to build its centrifuges. According to Makovsky, all options for the United States become legitimate should talks fail, though a realistically negotiated political solution would be ideal.

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian situation, Makovsky pointed out that the settlement issue is just one of four parts of the peace equation that also includes the status of Jerusalem, refugees, and security. “[We must] make the settlement issue moot,” Makovsky said, in order to focus on the other issues. Makovsky counseled that U.S.-Israel relations should not get bogged down on the issue of settlements.

The Board of Governors also heard from Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Charles Krauthammer, who spoke on June 11 about the Middle East. He noted that the Jewish community needs to see protecting Israel not as saving a victim but as preserving continuity by protecting what is now the largest Jewish population in the world.

In addition to the speakers, the Board of Governors passed resolutions that urged the United States to insist the Palestinian Authority recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and included a reaffirmation of B’nai B’rith support of a two-state solution, and a resolution that called on the United States and other governments to “cease all investment in and support of Iran’s energy sector and all exports of refined petroleum products to Iran.”