Delegation Trips

Qatar

April-May 2024

Trip Leader:

• General (ret.) Joseph L. Votel, 13th Commander, U.S. Central Command; Distinguished Sr. Fellow on National Security, Middle East Institute

Trip Participants:

• Allan C. Muns, Chief Executive, Republic Resources Ltd.

• Ambassador Magnus Scholdtz, Senior Advisor and Director, Wallenberg Office *

• John Hurley, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Cavalry Asset Management *

• Julie Chon, Managing Director, Policy and Geopolitical Strategist, Moore Capital Management

• Kerry Propper, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Chardan; Managing Partner of ATW Partners

• Louis R. Hughes, Chairman and CEO, InZero Technologies

• Marjorie A. Adams, President & CEO, Adams & Associates Inc *

• Mary Boies, Counsel, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP

• Michael Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Crow Holdings *

• Michele Votel, Wife of General (ret.) Joseph Votel

• Nada Hamadeh, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, M Medical Group *

• Pete Dordal Jr, President, GardaWorld Federal Services

• Raphael Benaroya, Managing Director of Biltmore Capital Management, LLC

• Courtney Lobel, Chief Development Officer, Middle East Institute

• Firas Maksad, Senior Fellow and Senior Director, Strategic Outreach, Middle East Institute

• Thomas Halvorsen, Associate Director, Corporate Relations, Middle East Institute

* Member of the Middle East Institute Board of Governors

MEI Delegation Meetings and Engagements:

Qatar Government Officials

• H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar

• H.E. Mohammed Abdullatif Al Mannai, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs for Military and Security Affairs, Qatar

• H.E. Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Qatar

• H.E. Lieutenant General Hamad bin Ali Al-Attiyah, Advisor to His Highness the Emir for Defense Affairs, Qatar

US Government Officials

• Ambassador Timothy Davis, U.S. Ambassador to the State of Qatar, U.S. Embassy in Qatar

• Maj. Gen. David Mineau, Deputy Commander, 9 AF (AFCENT)

• Col. Garrett Hogan, Director, A33 Current Operations

• Maj. Gen. Sean M. Salene, Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy at U.S. Central Command (J5)

• Natalie Baker, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Qatar

• Gen. (Ret.) John P. Abizaid, MEI Chairman, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Other Diplomatic and Civil Society Engagements

The delegation attended a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador Timothy Davis. The event brought together a diverse group of professionals, including members of the foreign diplomatic corps, local friends of the embassy, and Qatari officials.

Other Engagements in Doha

• Tour of the Qatar National Museum

• Tour of the Souq Waqif

Jordan

December 2024

Trip Leader:

• General (ret.) Joseph L. Votel, 13th Commander, U.S. Central Command; Distinguished Sr. Fellow on National Security, Middle East Institute

Trip Participants:

• Raphael Benaroya, Managing Director, Biltmore Capital Group LLC

• Pete Dordal, Jr, President, GardaWorld Federal Services

• Nada Hamadeh, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, M Medical Group *

• George Salem, Founder, Law Offices of George R. Salem, & Strategic Advisor, DLA Piper *

• Dr. Roger Shedlin, Founder, President, CEO, and Chairman, WINFertility

• Michelle Votel, Spouse of Gen. Joseph Votel

• Dr. Susan Saxton, CEO and President (Interim), Middle East Institute

• Courtney Lobel, Chief Development Officer, Middle East Institute

• Firas Maksad, Senior Fellow and Senior Director, Strategic Outreach, Middle East Institute

• Thomas Halvorsen, Associate Director, Corporate Relations, Middle East Institute

* Member of the Middle East Institute Board of Governors

U.S. Central Command Liaisons:

• Colonel Nathaniel Huston, Director of Innovation, Office of CENTCOM Chief Technology Officer

• Major Bryan Cercy, Innovation Officer, Office of the CENTCOM Chief Technology Officer

MEI Delegation Meetings and Engagements:

Jordanian Government Officials

• H.M. King Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

• H.E. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

• General Yousef Al Huneiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Jordanian Armed Forces

• Major General Ahmad Husni, Director, General Intelligence Department

• H.E. Zeina Toukan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation

• H.E. Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources

• H.E. Mothanna Garabieh, Minister of Investment

US Government Officials

• Ro Nepal, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Jordan

• Major General Sean M. Salene, Director, Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J5); United States Central Command, United States Marine Corps

• Lieutenant Colonel Simeon Harvey, Chief, Jordan Military Assistance Program

Jordanian Business Executives and Civil Society

The delegation engaged in a private forum with 17 Presidents and CEOs of companies in the following sectors: shipping, investment, agriculture, luxury goods, consumer goods, tourism, manufacturing, and professional services. The delegation also joined prominent Jordanian business leaders and U.S. Government officials for a reception at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence.

Trip Report

Gen. Votel and the delegation have prepared a report with detailed findings, observations, and recommendations to the U.S. Government and American business leaders on how to bolster U.S.-Jordan ties.

To request a copy of this report, please get in touch with Thomas Halvorsen (thalvorsen@mei.edu).

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

December 2024

Trip Leader:

• General (ret.) Joseph L. Votel, 13th Commander, U.S. Central Command; Distinguished Sr. Fellow on National Security, Middle East Institute

Trip Participants:

• Raphael Benaroya, Managing Director, Biltmore Capital Group LLC

• Pete Dordal, Jr, President, GardaWorld Federal Services

• Nada Hamadeh, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, M Medical Group *

• Yossi Nasser, Chief Executive Officer, Gelmart International

• Kerry Propper, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Chardan; Managing Partner of ATW Partners *

• George Salem, Founder, Law Offices of George R. Salem, & Strategic Advisor, DLA Piper *

• Dr. Roger Shedlin, Founder, President, CEO, and Chairman, WINFertility

• Michelle Votel, Spouse of Gen. Joseph Votel

• Dr. Susan Saxton, CEO and President (Interim), Middle East Institute

• Courtney Lobel, Chief Development Officer, Middle East Institute

• Firas Maksad, Senior Fellow and Senior Director, Strategic Outreach, Middle East Institute

• Thomas Halvorsen, Associate Director, Corporate Relations, Middle East Institute

* Member of the Middle East Institute Board of Governors

MEI Delegation Meetings and Engagements:

Saudi Government Officials

• H.E. Adel Jubeir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• H.E. Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• H.E. Faisal bin Fadhal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning

• H.E. Abdulmuhsen bin Saad Alkhalaf, Vice Minister of Finance, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• H.E. Dr. Rayed Krimly, Head of Policy Planning, Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• H.H. Prince Musab al Saud, Senior Advisor to the Foreign Minister, Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Mohammed Alyahya, Advisor to the Foreign Minister, Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Philip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer, Royal Commission for Al Ula

US Government Officials

• Ambassador Michael Ratney, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, U.S. Embassy Riyadh

• Alison Dilworth, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Riyadh

• Brigadier General Mason R. Dula, Deputy Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, U.S. Central Command

• Brigadier General Richard J. Quirk IV, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attache, U.S. Embassy, Riyadh

• Jonathan Peccia, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Mission to Yemen

Saudi Business Executives

The delegation engaged in a private forum with 18 Presidents and CEOs from industries including investment, financial services, professional services, information technology, entertainment, industrial services, consumer goods, and construction.

Other Engagements in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh:

• Dinner and VIP tour of Misk Art Walk, a non-profit cultural organization supporting local artists

• Tour of Diriyah al Turaif, historic birthplace of the House of Saud

• Tour of The National Museum, exploring the royal heritage and history of Saudi Arabia

AlUla:

• Tour of the ancient Nabatean city of Hegra

• Tour of the Old Town of Al Ula arranged by the Royal Commission for Al Ula

• Tour of Maraya, an iconic architectural landmark

• Multi-night stay in the Ashar Valley

Trip Report

Gen. Votel and the delegation have prepared a report with detailed findings, observations, and recommendations to the U.S. Government and American business leaders on how to bolster U.S.-Saudi ties.

To request a copy of this report, please get in touch with Thomas Halvorsen (thalvorsen@mei.edu).

Bahrain

April-May 2024

Trip Leader:

• General (ret.) Joseph L. Votel, 13th Commander, U.S. Central Command; Distinguished Sr. Fellow on National Security, Middle East Institute

Trip Participants:

• Allan C. Muns, Chief Executive, Republic Resources Ltd.

• Ambassador Magnus Scholdtz, Senior Advisor and Director, Wallenberg Office *

• John Hurley, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Cavalry Asset Management *

• Julie Chon, Managing Director, Policy and Geopolitical Strategist, Moore Capital Management

• Kerry Propper, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Chardan; Managing Partner of ATW Partners

• Louis R. Hughes, Chairman and CEO, InZero Technologies

• Marjorie A. Adams, President & CEO, Adams & Associates Inc *

• Mary Boies, Counsel, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP

• Michael Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Crow Holdings *

• Michele Votel, Wife of General (ret.) Joseph Votel

• Nada Hamadeh, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, M Medical Group *

• Pete Dordal Jr, President, GardaWorld Federal Services

• Raphael Benaroya, Managing Director of Biltmore Capital Management, LLC

• Courtney Lobel, Chief Development Officer, Middle East Institute

• Firas Maksad, Senior Fellow and Senior Director, Strategic Outreach, Middle East Institute

• Thomas Halvorsen, Associate Director, Corporate Relations, Middle East Institute

* Member of the Middle East Institute Board of Governors

MEI Delegation Meetings and Engagements:

Bahrain Government Officials

• H.E. Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of the Interior, Kingdom of Bahrain

• H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalida, Minister of Finance and National Economy, Kingdom of Bahrain

• Dr. Hamad Ibrahim Al-Abdulla, Executive Director, Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat)

• Dr. Omar Ahmed Al-Ubaydli, Director of Research, Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat)

US Government Officials

• Ambassador Steven C. Bondy, U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, U.S. Embassy Bahrain

• David Brownstein, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Bahrain

• Vice Admiral George M. Wikoff, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, FIFTH Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces

Bahraini Business Executives

The group engaged with the American Chamber of Commerce of Bahrain President Qays Hatim Zu’bi and other AmCham leaders. The delegation also joined prominent Bahraini business leaders for a reception at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence.

Other Important Engagements in Manama

• Tour of the Task Force 59 Robotic Operation Center and Static Display

• Briefing with Israeli Ambassador to Bahrain Eitan Na'eh

• Tour of the House of Ten Commandments, the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the GCC

• Tour of Derasat, Bahrain’s government think tank

Dinner with students from the American University of Bahrain