(WASHINGTON, D.C.) The Middle East Institute (MEI) is pleased to announce that Kenneth M. Pollack, Ph.D., will join the Institute as Vice President of its Policy Center, effective January 2, 2025. Dr. Pollack, a renowned expert on Middle Eastern political-military affairs, will lead MEI’s efforts to provide independent, expert analysis on the region’s most pressing challenges.
Pollack brings to MEI a wealth of experience from his work at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focused on the political-military dynamics of the Middle East. He has previously held positions at the Brookings Institution, the National Security Council, and the Central Intelligence Agency, and has authored numerous books and articles on Middle East policy. He has over a decade of experience in managerial positions in the think tank world having been the Director of Research and Director of the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings. His deep expertise and long-standing collaboration with MEI through conferences, events, and strategic dialogues make him an ideal addition to MEI’s leadership team.
“Dr. Pollack’s exceptional depth of knowledge and experience on Middle East affairs will strengthen MEI’s ability to offer insightful, policy-relevant analysis to policymakers and leaders,” said Dr. Susan E. Saxton, MEI’s Interim President and CEO. “His leadership will be key to advancing MEI’s mission of fostering understanding of the region’s complex issues and developing innovative solutions to its challenges.”
“Having engaged frequently with MEI for many years, I am excited to officially join the team at this pivotal time,” Pollack said. “The Institute is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of Middle East policy through its deep bench of renowned regional experts, extensive networks, and convening power. I look forward to working alongside the Institute’s talented scholars and staff to advance our shared goals.”
About Kenneth M. Pollack
Kenneth M. Pollack is a senior fellow at AEI, where he specializes in Middle Eastern political-military affairs. His extensive career includes roles at the Brookings Institution, where he directed the Center for Middle East Policy, and at the National Security Council, where he served as director for Near East and South Asian affairs. Dr. Pollack holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a BA from Yale University. He is the author of ten books, including most recently Armies of Sand: The Past, Present, and Future of Arab Military Effectiveness and Unthinkable: Iran, the Bomb, and American Strategy, which have been widely recognized for their contributions to understanding the region’s security landscape. (Full biography)
About the Middle East Institute
Founded in 1946, the Middle East Institute (MEI) is the leading Washington, DC-based institution focused on the Middle East, delivering non-partisan insights, analysis, and recommendations to thought leaders and policymakers. MEI aims to strengthen relationships between the United States and the region by convening diverse stakeholders, fostering dialogue, and supporting innovative solutions that promote peace, security, and prosperity.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Zeina Al-Shaib
Director of Digital Communications
zalshaib@mei.edu
610-733-8562
Photo: Dr. Kenneth Pollack speaks on a panel at MEI's 72nd Annual Conference in 2018.