“Dr. Salih has played a defining role in shaping Iraq’s
post-2003 political landscape and has long been a voice for moderation, reform,
and inclusion in the region,” said Ambassador (ret.) Stu Jones, President of
MEI. “We are privileged to welcome him to MEI, and we look forward to the
insights and perspectives he will bring to our work.”
From 2018 to 2022, Dr. Salih served as the eighth President of Iraq. Over the
course of his career, he held a range of senior positions in both the Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG) and the federal Iraqi government, including two terms
as Prime Minister of the KRG (2001-2004 and 2009-2012), Deputy Prime Minister
of Iraq (2004-2009), and Minister of Planning in the transitional government
(2005). He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Initiative at the
Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
Dr. Salih joins MEI as the first member of its newly launched Distinguished
Leadership Fellows expert cohort, which is planned to include prominent former
public officials — primarily from the Middle East — whose careers reflect
exceptional leadership outside of the diplomatic service or armed forces. The
Distinguished Leadership Fellows complement MEI’s existing Distinguished
Diplomatic Fellows and Distinguished Military Fellows, offering unique
expertise and real-world experience to MEI’s convenings, publications, and
strategic dialogues.
“Barham Salih embodies the very purpose of this new fellowship,” said Dr.
Kenneth M. Pollack, MEI’s Vice President for Policy. “He is a statesman of the
highest caliber, whose voice is deeply informed by both democratic ideals and
the practical challenges of governance. We are proud to have him affiliated
with MEI.”
Dr. Salih earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
from the University of Cardiff and his PhD in statistics and computer
applications in engineering from the University of Liverpool. He is married to
Dr. Sarbagh Salih, a botanist and women’s rights advocate. He is fluent in
Kurdish, Arabic, and English.
