2024 Awards 2023 Awards 2022 Awards
The Middle East Policy Council is excited to announce the 2025 cohort of 40 Under 40 Awardees. This honor recognizes the breadth of cultural, economic, and political relationships between the United States and countries of the Middle East with awardees from a variety of professional backgrounds including academia, business, culture, and diplomacy. Congratulations!
Ibrahim Ahmad
Ibrahim Ahmad is a fellow at Global Insights Group, a consultancy focused on the Arabian Gulf. He is a recipient of the State Department’s prestigious Rangel Fellowship and will join the U.S. Foreign Service as a Generalist in 2025. Abe has contributed to U.S.-Middle East policy as a diplomatic fellow at the U.S. Embassy in Amman and with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He has actively worked to advance U.S.-Lebanon relations, most notably as a research assistant to Ambassador David Hale at the Wilson Center, where he contributed to Hale’s book, American Diplomacy Toward Lebanon, and was recognized for his efforts in the foreword. Abe has been honored by the Arab America Foundation as a 20 Under 20 awardee and as a rising Lebanese-American leader by the American Task Force on Lebanon. He earned a Bachelor of Public Affairs (Summa Cum Laude) from Wayne State University and is pursuing a Master of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University.
Khadeja Ahmad Albuhaliqa
Khadeja Ahmad Albuhaliqa is a distinguished leader and UN employee, as well as the Founder and CEO of the Aladaam Youth Ambassador Program, which has graduated over 90 youth ambassadors under the Ministry of Sports and Youth since 2021. She has held the positions of Vice President of the Youth Advisory Committee for the Minister of Sports and Youth and Youth Advisor at the Ministry of Culture and Sport. She has represented Qatar at global events such as the UN Fellowship Program on Prevention of Violent Extremism, the ECOSOC Youth Forum, and the UNESCO Forum Ministerial Meeting. Khadeja holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Hamad Bin Khalifa University and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Oregon, with additional leadership training from Harvard Business School, the University of Chicago, Georgetown University, and other renowned institutions, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Politics. Khadeja has been awarded the Best Leading Youth in Qatar, one of the Successful Women in the Gulf region 2015, receiving the International Volunteer Work Sash in 2022 from the Point of Light Foundation, and the Best Youth example in Ministerial meeting in Riyadh in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Medal in 2016.
Maryam AlHammadi
Maryam AlHammadi is a Fulbright Scholar and an Analyst at the Office of Development Affairs and Martyrs’ Families at the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates. She holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of Washington, which she attended as a Fulbright Scholar, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from NYU Abu Dhabi. At UW, her capstone investigated the intersection of sustainability and Emirati youth by conducting ground-work research at COP28, where she was also a speaker on an Atlantic Council panel titled “COP28: the Commitment of Young Emirati Minds.” Maryam has previously held roles as a content analyst and as COVID-19 policy researcher. As an undergraduate, she participated as a UAE Ministry of Climate Change student delegate at the COP23 Conference in Bonn, Germany, in 2017. To advance her future goals, she aims to utilize her education and experience to build a career in sustainability and philanthropy, contributing to the journey of her home country, the United Arab Emirates.
Al Hasan Alhadadi
Al Hasan Alhadadi is an American-Arab news anchor and journalist with 15 years of experience working for various media organizations in both the United States and the Middle East, including MBC, Alhadath, Alarabiya, and Alhurra. He grew up in the Emirates and was born in Saudi Arabia, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Security at George Mason University.
Mohammad Ali
Mohammad Hurr Ali serves as the Director of Legislative and Congressional Affairs at the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). In this role, he leads the organization’s legislative advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, playing a crucial role in ensuring that the voice of the American Muslim community is represented in creating and shaping federal policy. Mr. Ali began his career as an aide to Senator Al Franken (D-MN), where he spent six years working on national security and foreign policy, with a focus on U.S. policy in the Middle East. Following his tenure in the Senate, he held a number of senior-level government relations positions, driving policy initiatives and building consensus, earning the respect of lawmakers, government officials, and leaders in civil society in the process. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Lamees Almakkawy
Lamees Almakkawy is a documentary filmmaker and producer, currently a Junior Producer at Squint/Opera, creating multimedia content for museums. She was a Documentary Executive at Image Nation Abu Dhabi, producing documentaries and digital content, and a Creative Lab Associate at twofour54 Abu Dhabi, organizing youth media initiatives. Lamees has also worked with Beehive Films on a BFI x Doc Society film, researched for a Dubai cultural museum with TGA Comms, and interned at CNN, Bidaya Media (on the Gulf region’s Sesame Street), and Films by Nomad. She has spoken at Sheffield DocFest, Open City Documentary Festival, and Leuven International Short Film Festival, and served on the screening committee of True/False Film Fest. She holds a BA in Film and New Media from NYU Abu Dhabi, and an MFA in Creative Documentary by Practice from University College London. Her documentary, Dancing Palestine, is currently on its film festival circuit.
Fawaz Almudhaf
Al-Daana Al-Mulla
Abdularahman T. Bakir
Abdularahman T. Bakir is the Managing Director of the Americas portfolio at the Saudi Ministry of Investment and head of the Saudi Investment office in the United States. In this role, he leads high-profile investor relations efforts and has been instrumental in facilitating strategic investments, partnerships, and cross-border investment aligned with the U.S., Latin America, and Saudi Arabia. He collaborates with global investors, private equity firms, and multinational companies to create impactful opportunities in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. He received his Bachelor degree in Manufacturing Engineering & Management at The University of Nottingham and his Master’s degree in International Business & Policy at Georgetown University.
Nibras Basitkey
Nibras Basitkey is the assistant director of the Atlantic Council’s Middle East programs, where she specializes in economic development and economic policy in the Middle East and North Africa region. She brings several years of academic and professional experience in economics and international development to her role, with expertise spanning federal government, foreign government, NGO environments, and international organizations both in Washington and abroad. Basitkey holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and economics from Creighton University, along with certificates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in microeconomics and foundations of development policy.
Dr. Ghassan Bou Diab
Ghassan A. Bou Diab, Ph.D., is an accomplished executive leader, strategist, and academic with expertise in international business, media, conflict transformation, and peace-building. He is the founder and executive director of USLCIC and the Demokrattia Center for Research and Strategic Studies, where he drives growth through strategic planning, innovation, and fostering high-performance teams. His work also focuses on strengthening U.S. relations with the Arab world and advancing peace-building efforts across the region. Dr. Bou Diab has held senior roles in media, including Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Bilarabinews and Phoenicia News, where he influenced public opinion in Lebanon. With a Ph.D. in Science of Religions, specializing in faith-based extremism, his research explores religious pluralism and intercultural dialogue. Dr. Bou Diab is a recognized advocate for peace and has received numerous awards for his contributions to journalism and civil society.
Holly Dagres
Holly Dagres is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council specializing on Iran with an emphasis on the intersection of security and human rights. She is the editor of the Council’s IranSource and MENASource blogs and curator of the popular weekly newsletter, The Iranist. In a separate capacity, Dagres is an Iran analyst for the US Army’s Foreign Military Studies Office. She is the author of the groundbreaking report, “Iranians on #SocialMedia,” and has given a TEDxTalk on Iranian Gen Z and the push for change in Iran. She has fifteen years of experience in the Middle East (living in Tehran, Cairo, and Jerusalem). Dagres holds an M.A. from the American University in Cairo and two B.A.s from UCLA. She regularly conducts interviews on radio, television, and print including BBC, CNN, NPR, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. Dagres is a proud Iranian-American and spent her formative years in Tehran.
Filippo De Grazia
Filippo De Grazia is the Communications Coordinator at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC, where he bridges the space between Washington and Jerusalem through strategic communication. He has extensive experience representing Catholic institutions in interreligious relations, including as Communication Officer at the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem and Media Officer at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. In these roles, he promoted dialogue among diverse communities while advancing the mission of Catholic organizations globally. Filippo’s career also includes work as an Agricultural Policy Advisor in Rome and professional experience in Ethiopia, contributing to development and international collaboration. He holds a master’s degree in Law and is fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish. With professional experience across Europe, the Middle East, Eastern Africa, and South America, Filippo is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding across cultures and faiths.
Joseph Gedeon
Joseph Gedeon is a reporter at The Guardian based in Washington, covering breaking news in politics. He was most recently a reporter on POLITICO’s national security team, covering cyber & tech security developments globally and U.S. policy on Gaza and the Middle East. This has included reporting on the White House’s muted response on AI warfare in Gaza, a Pentagon plan for a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza, and supply chain concerns after the pager attacks in Lebanon, and obtaining a letter from dozens of Biden administration lawyers arguing the U.S. is violating the Leahy Law by funding Israel’s campaign as well as a dissent letter from senior White House staffers angered by Gaza policy. He started his career at a regional newspaper in the Gulf before heading to the U.S., where he worked as a reporter at the AP and NYPR. He serves on the interim board for AMEJA after volunteering full-time from 2020-23.
David Greenhalgh
David Greenhalgh is the Executive Vice President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council. He joined the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council in June 2016 as a Senior Director, and he was subsequently promoted to Vice President and then Executive Vice President. Prior to joining the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, David spent five years in Abu Dhabi, where he conducted political risk analysis on North Africa and the Arabian Gulf. Previously, he worked for the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, a think tank associated with the U.S. Department of Defense. In addition, he served in a program management role at both the Palestinian American Research Center and the Arab American Family Support Center in Brooklyn, New York. David has a B.A. in History from Princeton University and an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Adel Hamaizia
Adel Hamaizia is is the Managing Director at Highbridge Advisory, a strategic boutique advisory focused on information advantage, risk mitigation, policy development and implementation for companies and governments working in the Middle East, the Balkans, and Africa. He is also a research fellow at the Belfer Center’s Middle East Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School, a Senior Advisor at the Milken Institute, and a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative. Adel was previously the Committee Vice-Chairman of the Oxford Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Forum (OxGAPS) where he was the co-founder and the co-editor of OxGAPS’ thematic-quarterly, “Gulf Affairs.” He regularly convenes and contributes to track 1.5 and 2 meetings. Adel has provided commentary for various media outlets including the New York Times, the Financial Times, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Le Monde, Arab News, the National, and Al Jazeera.
Sara Harmouch
Sara Harmouch is the Chief Executive Officer at H9 Defense, where she leads a specialized consultancy and government contracting firm focusing on defense policy. Drawing on her upbringing in Lebanon, Harmouch offers insights into Islamist militant group dynamics and political violence. Her expertise is recognized in her engagements at NATO, the U.S. State Department, West Point, and the 9/11 Memorial. Harmouch’s background includes roles with the RAND Corporation, Alexander Hamilton Society, Carnegie Middle East Center, and affiliations with U.S. Special Operations and Indo-Pacific Commands, the National Intelligence Council, and intelligence agencies. A respected voice in security analysis, her work has been cited in Congressional testimonies and featured in various media outlets. Harmouch is fluent in Arabic, French, and English, and her fieldwork spans the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. She holds a graduate degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and is finishing her doctoral studies at American University in Washington, DC.
Wesam Hassanein
Wesam Hassanein is a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State focusing on the Middle East, Counterterrorism, and Cyber/Emerging Technologies. Previously, he held various roles at the State Department working policy on Iraq, Gulf affairs, and the Caribbean, as well as sanctions and consular issues. Wesam has a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service.
John Hudson
John Hudson is a reporter at The Washington Post covering the State Department and national security. He was part of the team that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He has reported from dozens of countries, including Ukraine, China, Afghanistan, India, Georgia, Belarus, Pakistan, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Kenya, Nigeria and many more. In 2024, he was dispatched to cover Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon. In 2022 and 2023, he covered the war in Ukraine. In 2008, he covered the war in Georgia. He appears on MSNBC and CNN.
Asad Hussaini
Asad Hussaini is a Managing Partner at Fortinbras, a New York-based credit fund. He also serves as the managing director of Scimitar, an Abu Dhabi Global Market-domiciled family office, and Vice Chairman of Peninsula Real Estate in Abu Dhabi. He serves on the boards of Osiris Acquisition Corp, Emirates Swiss Real Estate, and UAE-based proptech firm Keyper, and is an advisory board member of Coast Capital (New York), Accrete Investments (London), We Build Ventures (UAE) & Goldengate VC MENA. Mr. Hussaini is a member of the Global Advisory Council of the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., a bipartisan think tank addressing trade, security, and defense issues, and was educated at Georgetown University.
Mariam Karimi
Mariam Karimi is a diplomat serving as a Third Secretary in the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Her role involves contributing to Bahrain’s global initiatives and fostering international cooperation. Previously, she was stationed at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, where she managed Congressional affairs, oversaw the women’s portfolio, and strengthened Bahrain-Mexico relations. Mariam holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. Her professional journey reflects a strong commitment to diplomacy, bilateral relations, and advancing Bahrain’s position on the global stage. Passionate about promoting the role of women in diplomacy, Mariam champions greater representation and leadership opportunities for women in the field. She is also dedicated to ensuring Bahrain is recognized as the strong contender it is in the global arena.
John Korban
John Korban is an Army Major and an Instructor of Arabic at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Prior to teaching, he led a Civil Affairs Team with a focus on the MENA. He has served abroad in the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, and Central and Eastern Europe, providing him with broad experience in the region’s sociopolitical dynamics. John’s academic interests include MENA Political Economy, Civil-Military Relations, Discourse Analysis, and Conflict Resolution. During his graduate studies, he contributed to the Department of State’s Negotiation Support Unit, where he supported diplomatic initiatives and refined his skills in mediation and policy analysis. He holds an M.A. from Georgetown University’s Arab Studies program, specializing in Arabic language and regional studies, and a B.S. in Physics from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.
Fritz G. Lodge
Fritz G. Lodge is a Principal at The Scowcroft Group providing analysis, research, and strategic risk advisory services for corporate clients and financial institutions. Previously, he worked as a journalist covering the Middle East and International Economics for The Cipher Brief and, from 2011 to 2013, freelance in Egypt. During this period, he also worked for Dean Nabil Fahmy at the American University in Cairo’s School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Fritz received his M.A. in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins SAIS, and his B.A./M.A. in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies from St. Andrews University in Scotland. He is an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Madison Marks
Madison Marks is a Portfolio Manager (Climate) with UNICEF Venture Fund, driving investments in frontier tech innovation to benefit children. Previously, she led the Social Innovation Lab at Johns Hopkins University and has over a decade of experience leading programs and partnerships focused on impact investment, tech innovation, venture building, and cultural exchange. She has worked with organizations such as Expo 2020 Dubai, Womena, Rainmaking Innovation, American Councils for International Education, and Qatar Foundation International. Madison holds a Master’s degree in Arab Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s in Middle East Studies from Florida State University, where she won a Boren Scholarship to study Arabic in Jordan. She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA with Quantic School of Business and Technology. Having lived and worked across Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the UAE, she served on the board of the MENAR program for five years and continues to mentor startups across MENAT.
Grant Amjad Miller
Grant Amjad Miller is a member of the Utah State House of Representatives. He is the first Palestinian-American to be elected to Utah’s legislature. He is a trial attorney and works as a public defender in Salt Lake City where he represents indigent defendants accused of felony offenses. He is the former president of the Young Lawyer Division of the Utah State Bar and sat ex-officio on the Utah State Bar Commission. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah SJ Quinney College of Law.
Sophie Mirviss
Sophie Mirviss is the Democratic Staff Director of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia for Ranking Member Dean Phillips (MN-03). She oversees and implements all subcommittee activities, including over a dozen hearings, staff and member-level briefings, and congressional delegations, and focuses on issues ranging from oversight of U.S. foreign assistance and sanctions policy to supporting good governance and regional integration. Sophie joined the subcommittee in October 2021, serving under Chairs Ted Deutch (FL-22) and David Cicilline (RI-01), after having previously worked as the foreign policy and defense legislative assistant to Rep. Phillips. She is a Minnesota native, earned a B.A. in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and an M.A. in Defense and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College.
Marco Mossad
Marco Mossad is a Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Policy Council, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on the relationship between the U.S. and the Middle East. His work centers on analyzing U.S. diplomatic, security, and strategic interests in the region, with a particular emphasis on the role of cybersecurity and AI in shaping international relations. Marco is also a regular media contributor, providing expert analysis on prominent news channels in both the MENA region and the U.S. He frequently publishes in-depth research articles in both Arabic and English and is a sought-after speaker at international conferences on topics related to Middle Eastern affairs, cybersecurity, and AI.
Masoud Mostajabi
Masoud Mostajabi is a deputy director of the Iraq Initiative and Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Middle East Programs of the Atlantic Council. In this capacity, he is responsible for managing a robust portfolio of Middle East security issues, policy research, and business development focusing on Iraq and Iran. Previously, Masoud was an assistant director of the Council’s South Asia Center. Prior to his work at the Atlantic Council, Masoud was a research assistant at an international chamber of commerce. His research focuses on diplomacy, human rights, climate change, and international development. Masoud received his bachelor’s in Political Science and History from Arizona State University and his master’s in International Studies from American University’s School of International Service.
Isa Najem
Born on the island of Bahrain, Isa Najem feels like a musical nomad, a sonic bedouin migrating between schools of practice. Hailing from the trance-like rhythms of traditional Khaleeji and African music, breezing by the cosmic maqams of Classical Arabic, and sailing between the polyphonic harmonies of Western Classical and the electronic soundscapes of film scoring – he pulls together different memories of the earth in a persistent now, the only place where music exists. He has composed, produced, and performed music for films, installations, advertisements and concerts. Most notably, he has worked on major TV series productions like One Piece (Netflix series) recording Electric Cello, Oud, and Ondes Martenot. His debut album, Kongofola, is set to be released in 2025 – an imaginative world where musical instruments are stripped of their identities, played in new and strange ways, to a point where convention is forgotten.
Caroline Rose
Caroline Rose is the Director of the Strategic Blind Spots Portfolio at the New Lines Institute, where she leads and produces research on the intersection of defense, security, illicit trades, and geopolitical landscapes from Europe to the Middle East and North Africa. Her portfolio at the institute includes two projects: the Project on the Captagon Trade and the Project on Post-Withdrawal Security Landscapes. She has also served as a consultant for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, where she advised on ways to counter illicit synthetic drug trades. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service teaching a graduate course on the nexus of illicit economies, armed conflict, and insecurity.
Myriam Sabbaghi
Myriam Sabbaghi is the National Organizing Director at the National Iranian Council. She joined NIAC’s staff in June 2020. She is an experienced organizer with a strong commitment to gender, racial, economic, and social justice. One of Myriam’s greatest passions is building relationships and moving people to direct, impactful action about issues they care about. Since taking the helm as Organizing Director, Myriam has helped grow NIAC’s external relations, grassroots leadership, and multi-ethnic coalitions, as well as lead GOTV campaigns. Myriam is also a member of the Ploughshares Fund Fieldbuilding Committee for 2024-26. Prior to joining NIAC, Myriam served as a Higher Education Organizer for the American Federation of Teachers. Myriam earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington, Seattle where she majored in Political Science; Law, Societies, and Justice; and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. She received her M.A in Divinity from the University of Chicago Divinity School, with a focus on classical Persian literature. At the University of Chicago, Myriam also taught undergraduate language, literature and writing courses, and served as Poetry Staff Editor at the Chicago Review. She’s fluent in six languages, including Persian and Italian.
Rajae Sahouri
Rajae Sahouri is an entrepreneur and strategic advisor dedicated to youth empowerment, business innovation, and policymaking. Recognized as an IMF Youth Fellow and Advisor to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship’s Executive Committee in Jordan, Rajae plays a pivotal role in advancing digital transformation and fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Kochar Salih
Kochar Salih is a Senior Program Officer at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and a 2025 Fulbright candidate. He created and implemented Maalumah.org, the region’s first comprehensive digital platform addressing disinformation and democratic resilience in Iraq. At NDI, he works on key initiatives including the Ija Dorna Program and Women Advisory Board, working to enhance youth and women’s participation in policy-making and governance. He specializes in developing and delivering training programs for political parties on campaign strategy, voter targeting, and political party development for emerging political leaders across Iraq. Kochar is also a co-founder of Hawsani Center for Education and Knowledge, which has published over 50 books and organized major academic conferences. His work focuses on policy development, democratic governance, and building bridges between citizens and government institutions. Through these initiatives, he contributes to strengthening democratic processes and civic engagement across Iraq.
Nicole Sbitani
Nicole Sbitani is a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State currently assigned as an Economic Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai. She previously served as a Public Diplomacy Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, and Staff Assistant to Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf in Washington, DC. Prior to beginning her diplomatic career, Nicole studied Arabic and taught English at Noor Majan Arabic Institute in Oman. She is a proud member of the Asian American Foreign Affairs Association, Disability Action Group, and AI Innovators at the U.S. Department of State. She received a B.A. with Highest Distinction in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law from the University of Virginia and M.A. in Global Communication from The George Washington University with concentrations in IT in International Affairs and Middle East Studies.
Ghasaq Shaheen
Ghasaq Shaheen has served as Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN since March 2024. Prior to her appointment as Deputy Permanent Representative, Ms. Shaheen served as Political Coordinator from 2021-2024, including throughout the UAE’s 2022-2023 term as an elected member of the UN Security Council. From 2017 to 2021, Ms. Shaheen covered the Security Council and its working methods, Security Council reform, the third and sixth Committees, human rights, legal affairs, and various political files at the UAE mission. Prior to her posting in New York, Ms. Shaheen served as Head of North America in the American Affairs Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also served in the Department of Energy and Climate Change and holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree in International Law and Relations.
Thomas Strouse
Thomas Strouse is the Founder and CEO of Strouse Energy Advisory, a firm which advises energy companies and other investors on new upstream and oil marketing opportunities across the Middle East region and Africa, as well as providing actionable insight and market intelligence on the global oil and gas sector. Strouse previously served as the Head of Market Analysis at DNO, a Norwegian oil and gas company, where he advised on key commercial developments and related market intelligence which could impact the company’s operations in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Prior to this role, Strouse was a Middle East oil and gas journalist with Energy Intelligence in Dubai and a Middle East analyst at Foreign Reports in Washington DC. Strouse received an M.A. in Middle East Studies from George Washington University and a B.A. in International Politics from Penn State University.
Leyth Swidan
Leyth Swidan is a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State where he serves as a Saudi Arabia Desk Officer. He most recently served as a Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. In this role, he supported the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs in leading efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, prevent regional instability, and increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Prior to his Washington assignments, Leyth served overseas in Denmark and Kuwait. He is a Penn Kemble Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy and a 2024 Arab America Foundation 30 Under 30 awardee. Leyth holds an MPA from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University where he was a Thomas R. Pickering Fellow and a B.A. in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies from Pomona College.
Sara Yahia
Dr. Hatem Zayed
Dr. Hatem Zayed is a Consultant at the World Bank’s Social Sustainability and Inclusion (SSI) department, working on issues that relate to youth inclusion, anti-racism, and civil society. Since starting his career in human rights in Egypt in the backdrop of the 2011 revolution, Hatem has played key roles in both national and international organizations within the development and human rights sectors. Notably, he served as the Director of the Monitoring and Evaluation unit at CARE International in Egypt, and as a research manager at the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights. His independent academic research and publications span various critical domains, including inclusion and participation, civic space, international aid, peacebuilding, and humanitarian intervention. Hatem holds a PhD and MPhil in International Relations from the School of International Service at American University, as well as an MA in Development Studies and BA in Political Science from the American University in Cairo.
Rima Zeitouneh
Rima Zeitouneh is a senior strategist and communications leader currently serving as the Outreach Coordinator for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. She brings over a decade of diverse experience in Middle East policy, program management, and public affairs working from Beirut, Istanbul, London, and Washington, DC. Rima previously utilized her in-depth understanding of the political, security, and humanitarian developments during Syria’s civil war to manage multimillion-dollar stabilization projects and help inform U.S. and international policy. In this capacity, she worked with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Middle East Institute, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Creative Associates International. She also served as a Senior Consultant with Deloitte’s Government and Public Services practice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University in International Affairs and a Master of Science from the London School of Economics in International Development.