On October 1, Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press and editor-in-chief at CBS News, will step back onto the stage for her first live appearance in nearly a year. She will be joined by the acclaimed historian Dr. Simon Sebag Montefiore for the opening night of his U.S. book tour for The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East.
The event takes place in uptown Manhattan and promises a wide-ranging discussion covering the region’s history from 1900 to the present-day forces shaping it. Together, they will explore the complex narratives that have defined the Middle East for over a century.
Ticket Access and Tiers
Paying subscribers of The Free Press receive early access to tickets until Thursday, September 10, at 12 p.m. ET. Several ticket tiers are available, including options that include a signed copy of The Cauldron. For a select group of just 12 guests, there is an exclusive opportunity to attend an intimate post-event dinner with Simon Sebag Montefiore.
If you are a paying subscriber, scroll down for your access code. Not a subscriber yet? You can become one today to secure your spot.
Why This Conversation Matters
Since the events of September 11, 2001, the Middle East has profoundly influenced U.S. foreign policy and dominated American public discourse. The two decades of conflict in Afghanistan, nearly nine years of fighting in Iraq, the Arab Spring, and ongoing wars over land and nationhood have all left lasting marks. Today, the region remains a focal point of international tension, particularly regarding Iran.
Sebag Montefiore argues that America’s recurring difficulties in the Middle East stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the region—a misreading that persists across the political spectrum. His work seeks to correct that by providing historical depth and context.
About Simon Sebag Montefiore
Simon Sebag Montefiore is the author of several worldwide bestsellers, including Jerusalem: The Biography, Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar, Young Stalin, The Romanovs: 1613–1918, and The World: A Family History of Humanity. His latest book, The Cauldron, examines not just the last 25 years but the last 125 years of Middle Eastern history, bringing to life the kings, terrorists, diplomats, and dictators—and the cultures and faiths that underpin them—essential to understanding the region today. The book quickly became a No. 1 bestseller in the UK.
Event Details
Join Bari Weiss and Simon Sebag Montefiore on October 1 for a rare live conversation and the first U.S. stop on his book tour. This is an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the historical forces that continue to shape the Middle East and its relationship with the world.