MEI announces distinguished military and diplomatic fellows
Ammon News - The Middle East Institute (MEI) is proud to announce the establishment of two new expert cohorts: the Distinguished Military Fellows and the Distinguished Diplomatic Fellows. These new designations bring to MEI a remarkable group of former senior officials who have shaped US defense and foreign policy at the highest levels.
The rosters include retired US military leaders and former US diplomats, whose experience spans some of the most consequential commands and diplomatic missions in the Middle East and around the world. Their tenures include command roles in US Central Command and Special Operations Command, ambassadorial appointments across the region, and pivotal roles at the State Department and the National Security Council. They join MEI's Board Chairman, General John P. Abizaid, USA (ret.)—a former Commander of US Central Command and US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia—in exemplifying the Institute's unmatched bench of senior leadership on Middle East defense and diplomacy.
The Distinguished Military Fellows include:
General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (ret.)
6th Commander, US Central Command; Chairman Emeritus, Board of Governors, MEI
General Joseph L. Votel, USA (ret.)
13th Commander, US Central Command; 10th Commander, US Special Operations Command; Member, Board of Governors, MEI
General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., USMC (ret.)
14th Commander, US Central Command
Lieutenant General Sam Mundy, USMC (ret.)
Former Commander, Marine Corps Forces Central Command
Lieutenant General Michael K. Nagata, USA (ret.)
Former Commander, US Special Operations Command–Central
Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, USN (ret.)
Former Commander, US Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces
Major General Scott Benedict, USMC (ret.)
Former Commanding General, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Colonel Liam Collins, USA (ret.)
Former Director, Modern War Institute at West Point
The Honorable Michael 'Mick' Mulroy
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East
The Distinguished Diplomatic Fellows include:
Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker
Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon
Ambassador W. Robert Pearson
Former US Ambassador to Turkey and Director General of the US Foreign Service
Ambassador Robert S. Ford
Former US Ambassador to Syria and Algeria
Ambassador Barbara K. Bodine
Former US Ambassador to Yemen
Ambassador Gordon Gray
Former US Ambassador to Tunisia
Ambassador Barbara A. Leaf
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
The Honorable Mara Rudman
Former Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
The Honorable Jonathan M. Winer
Former US Special Envoy for Libya
The Honorable Alan Eyre
Former Member, US Nuclear Negotiating Team on Iran
'This is an extraordinary group of professionals,' said Kenneth M. Pollack, Ph.D., Vice President of MEI's Policy Center. 'Together, they represent decades of hands-on experience in the Middle East, from leading combat operations and special forces to shaping US diplomacy and crisis management. We're thrilled to welcome them to MEI and look forward to working with them closely as speakers, authors, and strategic advisors across all of MEI's programs.'
'These fellows are an invaluable addition to MEI's institutional capacity,' said Institute President Stu Jones. 'As we continue to expand our role as the premier center for scholarship, dialogue, and policy innovation on the Middle East, the expertise and credibility of these leaders help position MEI at the forefront of the policy conversation in Washington and beyond. We look forward to featuring them in a wide range of research, public programming, private briefings, and policy engagement in the months ahead.'
Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute (MEI) is America's leading nonpartisan policy and cultural institute focused on the Middle East. Based in Washington, DC, and working at the intersection of policy, education, and culture, MEI is the leading convener of Middle East experts and officials, fostering dialogue between diverse stakeholders. Its experts provide cutting-edge analysis of a complex region, while its Arts and Culture Center promotes understanding and cultural diplomacy through the universal language of the arts. MEI's Policy Center boasts a roster of leading regional experts, including former diplomats and US defense and security officials who provide decision makers with trusted analysis of the region's challenges and identify opportunities to advance US national interests.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Al Bawaba
Trump slams Iran's nuclear posture as U.S. command warns of escalation
ALBAWABA- U.S. President Donald Trump has described Iran's recent behavior in nuclear negotiations as 'more aggressive,' telling Fox News that Tehran's latest response to a U.S. Proposal is 'unacceptable.' 'Iran is asking for things you can't do,' Trump said, adding, 'They're behaving completely differently than they were just a few days ago.' These remarks come amid growing alarm from U.S. Military leadership. The commander of U.S. Central Command warned that Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, pushing the region closer to a potential crisis. While describing Iranian proxies as weakened, the commander identified the Houthis as the most serious ongoing threat. He emphasized that U.S. forces are prepared to respond with overwhelming force should President Trump give the order to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. A military option remains on the table, with the president and defense secretary reportedly briefed on multiple scenarios. The commander also warned that if Israel launches a unilateral attack on Iran, it would likely endanger U.S. forces stationed across the region. Tensions further escalated as Iran's Atomic Energy Organization spokesman, Behrouz Kamalvandi, cautioned that Tehran could scale back cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if a resolution is passed against Iran. Kamalvandi said Iran has 'cooperated beyond its legal obligations,' but would reassess this stance if its goodwill is not reciprocated. In a parallel development, Iran's intelligence ministry claimed it had completed a major covert operation to obtain a trove of highly classified Israeli documents. The cache reportedly includes sensitive files related to Israel's nuclear and military programs, details of dual-use scientific projects, and alleged collaborations with U.S. and European institutions. Iran says the material contains identities and locations of Israeli scientists and could be shared with allies or anti-Israel resistance groups. Tehran asserts the documents expose what it calls 'false and misleading' Israeli reports to international bodies, particularly regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program. The documents are now reportedly being reviewed by Iran's armed forces and intelligence agencies.
Al Bawaba
7 days ago
- Al Bawaba
US announces catching IS leader in Iraq, Syria operations
Published June 5th, 2025 - 05:30 GMT ALBAWABA - American military officials revealed on Wednesday that they have captured an Islamic State group (IS) leader during international coalition operations in Iraq and Syria. The US Central Command further mentioned that another two IS members were also killed in the ongoing operations, which continue to ban the Islamic group from having an opportunity to rebuild itself. US Central Command posted on X that during the operations, from May 21 to 27, "served to disrupt and degrade" IS's ability to "reconstitute, plan, organize and conduct attacks against civilians and US and partner forces in the region." CENTCOM Supports Partner Forces During Defeat ISIS Operations in Iraq and SyriaU.S. Central Command forces supported partner forces in operations in Iraq and Syria, May 21-27, in support of the ongoing Defeat ISIS campaign. USCENTCOM forces supported six D-ISIS operations,… — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 4, 2025 According to the US military's announcement, six operations were carried out, five in Iraq and one in Syria, during which two IS members were killed, two others were detained, including an IS leader. In addition, the soldiers seized multiple weapons. "Operations like these underscore the commitment of USCENTCOM, along with our allies and partners, to the enduring defeat of ISIS in the region," USCENTCOM Commander Michael Erik Kurilla added. The operations in Baghdad were conducted by Iraqi forces in the north-- within the Salah al-Din Governorate, Kirkuk Governorate, and Al-Fallujah -- where IS members are still active and carry out sporadic attacks against the army and police. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Ammon
06-05-2025
- Ammon
MEI announces distinguished military and diplomatic fellows
Ammon News - The Middle East Institute (MEI) is proud to announce the establishment of two new expert cohorts: the Distinguished Military Fellows and the Distinguished Diplomatic Fellows. These new designations bring to MEI a remarkable group of former senior officials who have shaped US defense and foreign policy at the highest levels. The rosters include retired US military leaders and former US diplomats, whose experience spans some of the most consequential commands and diplomatic missions in the Middle East and around the world. Their tenures include command roles in US Central Command and Special Operations Command, ambassadorial appointments across the region, and pivotal roles at the State Department and the National Security Council. They join MEI's Board Chairman, General John P. Abizaid, USA (ret.)—a former Commander of US Central Command and US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia—in exemplifying the Institute's unmatched bench of senior leadership on Middle East defense and diplomacy. The Distinguished Military Fellows include: General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (ret.) 6th Commander, US Central Command; Chairman Emeritus, Board of Governors, MEI General Joseph L. Votel, USA (ret.) 13th Commander, US Central Command; 10th Commander, US Special Operations Command; Member, Board of Governors, MEI General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., USMC (ret.) 14th Commander, US Central Command Lieutenant General Sam Mundy, USMC (ret.) Former Commander, Marine Corps Forces Central Command Lieutenant General Michael K. Nagata, USA (ret.) Former Commander, US Special Operations Command–Central Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan, USN (ret.) Former Commander, US Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces Major General Scott Benedict, USMC (ret.) Former Commanding General, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Colonel Liam Collins, USA (ret.) Former Director, Modern War Institute at West Point The Honorable Michael 'Mick' Mulroy Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East The Distinguished Diplomatic Fellows include: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon Ambassador W. Robert Pearson Former US Ambassador to Turkey and Director General of the US Foreign Service Ambassador Robert S. Ford Former US Ambassador to Syria and Algeria Ambassador Barbara K. Bodine Former US Ambassador to Yemen Ambassador Gordon Gray Former US Ambassador to Tunisia Ambassador Barbara A. Leaf Former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs The Honorable Mara Rudman Former Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs The Honorable Jonathan M. Winer Former US Special Envoy for Libya The Honorable Alan Eyre Former Member, US Nuclear Negotiating Team on Iran 'This is an extraordinary group of professionals,' said Kenneth M. Pollack, Ph.D., Vice President of MEI's Policy Center. 'Together, they represent decades of hands-on experience in the Middle East, from leading combat operations and special forces to shaping US diplomacy and crisis management. We're thrilled to welcome them to MEI and look forward to working with them closely as speakers, authors, and strategic advisors across all of MEI's programs.' 'These fellows are an invaluable addition to MEI's institutional capacity,' said Institute President Stu Jones. 'As we continue to expand our role as the premier center for scholarship, dialogue, and policy innovation on the Middle East, the expertise and credibility of these leaders help position MEI at the forefront of the policy conversation in Washington and beyond. We look forward to featuring them in a wide range of research, public programming, private briefings, and policy engagement in the months ahead.' Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute (MEI) is America's leading nonpartisan policy and cultural institute focused on the Middle East. Based in Washington, DC, and working at the intersection of policy, education, and culture, MEI is the leading convener of Middle East experts and officials, fostering dialogue between diverse stakeholders. Its experts provide cutting-edge analysis of a complex region, while its Arts and Culture Center promotes understanding and cultural diplomacy through the universal language of the arts. MEI's Policy Center boasts a roster of leading regional experts, including former diplomats and US defense and security officials who provide decision makers with trusted analysis of the region's challenges and identify opportunities to advance US national interests.
