Security Expert Michael Eisenstadt Named Inaugural Kahn Fellow
Kahn Family Commitment Strengthens Institute Focus on Strategic Threats to U.S. Interests
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Institute for Near East Policy has named Michael Eisenstadt, director of its Military and Security Studies Program, as the inaugural recipient of the David Kahn and Douglas Kahn Fellowship in Middle East Security. Made possible by a generous, multiyear commitment to the research organization by longtime Trustees Joan and Mike Kahn of New York, the Kahn fellowship will facilitate cutting-edge analysis on key national security issues facing America in the Middle East.
"We are thrilled by this leadership gift made by the Kahn family, which is just the latest in a series of major grants they have made to support our scholars, research and programming," said Dr. Robert Satloff, executive director of The Washington Institute. "Through this fellowship, the Kahns ensure that one of the Institute’s leading experts will have a prominent and secure platform to ‘speak truth to power’ about urgent threats and challenges in the Middle East and how to address them.”
“We are proud of our connection to The Washington Institute,” said Joan Kahn. “At a time when there is such uncertainty about the direction of American policy in the Middle East, I believe that it is urgent to support the Institute and this brilliant scholar.”
The new fellowship is named in honor of the Kahns’ two sons: David, who passed away in 2005, and Douglas, currently of Raleigh, North Carolina.
The new Kahn Fellow – Mike Eisenstadt – is a scholar-soldier who brings a unique blend of professional experience, scholarly insight, and deep understanding of the national security infrastructure to his research. He served as an officer for 26 years in the U.S. Army Reserve where he had active-duty tours in Iraq, Israel, Turkey and Central Command. He also was engaged in a civilian capacity in the Multinational Force-Iraq/U.S. Embassy Baghdad Joint Campaign Plan Assessment Team and as a consultant or advisor to several congressionally mandated working groups on Iraq. A specialist in Persian Gulf and Arab-Israeli security affairs, Eisenstadt has published hundreds of articles and monographs on irregular and conventional warfare, as well as nuclear weapons proliferation in the Middle East. Eisenstadt is a frequent commentator on security affairs for international print and broadcast media. He holds a Master’s Degree in Arab Studies from Georgetown University.
“I am deeply honored to be named the Kahn Fellow,” said Mr. Eisenstadt. “This generous support will strengthen the Institute’s ability to address critical challenges such as the rise of ISIS, preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and protecting U.S. interests and allies.”
About the Institute: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy is an independent, nonpartisan research institution that advances a balanced and realistic understanding of U.S. interests in the broader Middle East. Drawing on the expertise of its fellows, the Institute promotes informed debate and scholarly research on U.S. policy in the region.
Contact: Brittany Parker, media liaison, email, 202-452-0650