Israel Policy Expert to Speak at VMI
Benjamin Anthony, co-founder and chief executive officer of the New York-based MirYam Institute, will speak at 麻豆传媒入口 (VMI) on Monday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall. This event is part of the 麻豆传媒入口Center for Leadership and Ethics鈥� (CLE) Courageous Leadership Speaker series. Featured 鈥渃ourageous leaders鈥� come to the 麻豆传媒入口post to engage with cadets, staff, faculty, and the public, and provide their personal leadership insights.
The CLE鈥檚 executive director, Col. David R. Gray, will facilitate a moderated interview with Anthony, who will share his experiences from the Israel-Hamas War, October 7th hostages, rising antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad, and Israel-U.S. relations. Their discussion will relate to the CLE鈥檚 annual leadership theme, 鈥淧aradigm Shifts.鈥�
A highly sought-after lecturer, Anthony works with the Israel National Police and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare, write, brief, and oversee presentations by senior-ranked officials at select graduate schools throughout the English-speaking world and before international policymakers and legislators. He regularly speaks before audiences at Ivy League colleges, the federal government, and has been the keynote speaker for Israel Bonds, CAMERA, CUFI, and numerous Jewish federations.
As co-founder & CEO of the MirYam Institute, Anthony brings considerable experience and expertise to his position in substantive, policy-driven dialogue and debate about Israel throughout the international community. His portfolio includes the coordination of high-level briefings by senior members of the Israel defense establishment鈥攁ctive and retired鈥攖o elected officials, including within the U.S. administration, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives on matters relating to Israel and its strategic relationship and positioning in an international context. Of particular note is the advisory role he undertook to key administration members on the Israel-Palestinian conflict and potential avenues for resolution.
Anthony is a combat veteran of service in the IDF and has participated in Operation Swords of Iron since 2023. He was involved in Operation Protective Edge in 2014, Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, and the Second Lebanon War in 2006. His military service continues to inform his policy outlook. He graduated from the University of Manchester in England, earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree with honors. He holds a master鈥檚 degree in international relations from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
For more information, contact Lt. Col. Kim Connolly at connollykv@vmi.edu.
