Salman Shaikh is director of the Brookings Doha Center and fellow at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. His research focuses on transitional processes, domestic politics, and international relations in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Gulf countries and the Levant. Recently, Shaikh has worked extensively to facilitate national dialogue among Syrian constituencies and figures, as well as to advise policy on regional and international involvement in the Syrian crisis.

Prior to joining the Center, Shaikh worked with the United Nations for nearly a decade. During his tenure there he served as special assistant to the Special Coordinator to the Middle East Peace Process, political advisor to the Secretary General’s Personal Representative for Lebanon during the 2006 war, and special assistant of the Middle East and Asia to the office of the Undersecretary General for Political Affairs. Shaikh also worked as director for Policy and Research in the Office of Her Highness, Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the Consort of the Emir of Qatar.

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