Barham Salih joins MEI as Distinguished Leadership Fellow

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is honored to welcome Dr. Barham A. Salih, former President of the Republic of Iraq, as its inaugural Distinguished Leadership Fellow. A veteran Iraqi Kurdish statesman and founder of the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, Dr. Salih brings decades of high-level public service and thought leadership to MEI’s growing network of distinguished experts.

“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.

Abizaid elected Chairman MEI Board

The Middle East Institute (MEI) announced election of John P. Abizaid as chairman of its Board of Governors. The board voted unanimously in favor of his appointment at its semi-annual meeting held on May 10, 2023.

“I am honored to assume this role and I thank you all for your support and commitment to this Institute. You can expect a lot from me and you should demand a lot from me as we work with the entire MEI community to pursue our mission,” said Abizaid.

“The Middle East is a complex and often misunderstood region. MEI provides a global platform for knowledge and an opportunity for engagement and understanding that is essential to long-term stability. I will work with the board, scholars, and staff to sustain MEI and uphold our mission at a critical juncture in US-Middle East relations.”

At the meeting the board also expressed its deep appreciation to outgoing chairman, Richard A. Clarke, who served in the role for more than 10 years. During his tenure, Clarke oversaw a period of historic growth for the Institute, including the renovation and expansion of its Washington, D.C. headquarters, and the flourishing of its policy, arts, and educational programs. 

“We would not be where we are today without Dick’s exceptional leadership and bold vision. His chairmanship was essential to securing MEI’s position as a preeminent voice on Middle East policy and analysis,” said MEI President and CEO Paul Salem.

“We are thrilled to have a leader of Gen. Abizaid’s stature and experience take up this mantle. His passion for the Institute’s mission of promoting peace, prosperity, and partnership between the people of the United States and the region will be invaluable as we set our course for the years ahead.”

Gen. Abizaid is a retired U.S. Army four-star general, who most recently served as the US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2021. In his 34 years of active military service, he commanded units at every level, serving in Grenada, Lebanon, Kurdistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and served as the head of US Central Command from 2003 to 2007.

He has also served as the Distinguished Chair (Emeritus) of the Combating Terrorism Center at the US Military Academy at West Point and was the first Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

Abizaid is a Lebanese American, born in northern California in 1951. He is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, holds a master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University, has also studied at the University of Jordan in Amman, and has received Honorary Degrees from Dartmouth College and Norwich University.