The Middle East Policy Council (MEPC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that produces analysis and commentary on issues impacting U.S. national interests in the Middle East. It was founded in 1981 under the stated mission to "expand public discussion and understanding of issues affecting U.S. policy in the Middle East."
MEPC was originally named the American-Arab Affairs Council and was co-founded by journalist Richard Curtiss,[1] who later founded the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and George Naifeh, who remained president of the MEPC until 1991. Naifeh was an American diplomat who represented the United States in diplomatic missions in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia over nearly three decades.[2]
Subsequent presidents include George McGovern (1991-1997) and Charles W. Freeman Jr. (1997-2009).[3] Frank Anderson was the president of the MEPC from 2009 to April 2012. Anderson served in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency for 26 years. He served three tours of duty in the Middle East as an agency station chief, headed the Afghan Task Force (1987–89), and was chief of the Near East and South Asia Division. In late 2013 the MEPC board appointed Ford M. Fraker president. Following Fraker's death, Richard J. Schmierer was elected president of the council in 2017.
- ^ Hanley, Delinda C. (April 2013). "In Memoriam: Richard H. Curtiss (1927-2013) Devoted His Life to Telling People Stories". Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
- ^ "Obituary: George Naifeh". Washington Post. The Washington Post. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Experts". Middle East Policy Council. Retrieved October 12, 2017.