Managing Director for Middle East & North Africa at Eurasia Group and leading authority on GCC geopolitics and Iran strategy
Firas Maksad
Managing Director for Middle East & North Africa at Eurasia Group and leading authority on GCC geopolitics and Iran strategy
Why book Firas Maksad?
- Firas Maksad leads the Middle East and North Africa practice at Eurasia Group , advising global organisations on geopolitical risk across the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran and the Levant
- He is a widely recognised media commentator whose analysis appears on CNN, BBC, Bloomberg and CNBC , as well as in leading publications including The Washington Post and Foreign Affairs
- Firas combines policy expertise, academic insight and real-world advisory experience from the Middle East Institute and George Washington University , delivering clear perspectives on one of the world’s most complex geopolitical regions
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Biography
Firas Maksad is Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa practice at Eurasia Group , where he leads analysis of one of the world’s most strategically important regions. He oversees the firm’s work on Middle East geopolitics, macroeconomic trends and United States foreign policy toward the region, advising global organisations navigating complex political and security risks.
A recognised authority on the politics of Lebanon and Syria and the geopolitics of the Arab Gulf states, Maksad is particularly known for his insight into the strategic thinking of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders. His work examines how regional security priorities, economic transformation programmes and shifting global alliances are reshaping the Middle East and influencing the balance of power with Iran.
Before returning to Eurasia Group, Maksad served as Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute , one of the leading research organisations dedicated to the study of the region. Earlier in his career he founded and led a boutique political consulting firm advising international clients on geopolitical risk, and he has taught international relations as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs .
Firas Maksad is widely published and regularly contributes analysis to major international publications including The Washington Post , The Wall Street Journal , Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy and the Los Angeles Times .
A frequent commentator on global media networks including CNN , BBC , Bloomberg and CNBC , he is known for translating complex regional developments into clear strategic insight.
As a keynote speaker, Firas connects developments on the ground in the Middle East with the strategic calculations taking place in Riyadh, across the Gulf and in Washington. His presentations help audiences understand how conflict dynamics, energy security and geopolitical competition are shaping risk and opportunity across global markets.
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Topics
The Gulf, Iran and the Conflict Drivers Reshaping Regional Order
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In this keynote, Firas explores how Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, are reshaping regional strategy amid shifting power dynamics.
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Audience insights include
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How Saudi Arabia and GCC states are recalibrating deterrence, diplomacy and economic priorities
The Gulf’s evolving role in regional diplomacy, crisis management and energy stability
How developments in Lebanon, Syria and the Levant could trigger wider geopolitical risk
The impact of US policy and expanding Chinese and Russian engagement in the region
Key indicators for escalation, de-escalation and future diplomatic openings
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Masterclasses
Masterclass 1
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You may want to go deeper with your audience. Masterclasses can be tailored and developed to suit your audience needs, be it a 90-minute Masterclass , a half-day or full-day workshop or a full online or face-to-face programme. Please contact one of our expert team to discuss.
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Firas Maksad
Managing Director for Middle East & North Africa at Eurasia Group and leading authority on GCC geopolitics and Iran strategy
why book firas?
- Firas Maksad leads the Middle East and North Africa practice at Eurasia Group, advising global organisations on geopolitical risk across the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran and the Levant
- He is a widely recognised media commentator whose analysis appears on CNN, BBC, Bloomberg and CNBC, as well as in leading publications including The Washington Post and Foreign Affairs
- Firas combines policy expertise, academic insight and real-world advisory experience from the Middle East Institute and George Washington University, delivering clear perspectives on one of the world’s most complex geopolitical regions
Biography
Firas Maksad is Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa practice at Eurasia Group, where he leads analysis of one of the world’s most strategically important regions. He oversees the firm’s work on Middle East geopolitics, macroeconomic trends and United States foreign policy toward the region, advising global organisations navigating complex political and security risks.
A recognised authority on the politics of Lebanon and Syria and the geopolitics of the Arab Gulf states, Maksad is particularly known for his insight into the strategic thinking of Gulf Cooperation Council leaders. His work examines how regional security priorities, economic transformation programmes and shifting global alliances are reshaping the Middle East and influencing the balance of power with Iran.
Before returning to Eurasia Group, Maksad served as Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, one of the leading research organisations dedicated to the study of the region. Earlier in his career he founded and led a boutique political consulting firm advising international clients on geopolitical risk, and he has taught international relations as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.
Firas Maksad is widely published and regularly contributes analysis to major international publications including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy and the Los Angeles Times.
A frequent commentator on global media networks including CNN, BBC, Bloomberg and CNBC, he is known for translating complex regional developments into clear strategic insight.
As a keynote speaker, Firas connects developments on the ground in the Middle East with the strategic calculations taking place in Riyadh, across the Gulf and in Washington. His presentations help audiences understand how conflict dynamics, energy security and geopolitical competition are shaping risk and opportunity across global markets.
Topics
Navigating the New Middle East
The Gulf, Iran and the Conflict Drivers Reshaping Regional Order
In this keynote, Firas explores how Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, are reshaping regional strategy amid shifting power dynamics.
Audience insights include:
- How Saudi Arabia and GCC states are recalibrating deterrence, diplomacy and economic priorities
- The Gulf’s evolving role in regional diplomacy, crisis management and energy stability
- How developments in Lebanon, Syria and the Levant could trigger wider geopolitical risk
- The impact of US policy and expanding Chinese and Russian engagement in the region
- Key indicators for escalation, de-escalation and future diplomatic openings
Firas Maksad
Masterclasses
You may want to go deeper with your audience. Masterclasses can be tailored and developed to suit your audience needs, be it a 90-minute Masterclass, a half-day or full-day workshop or a full online or face-to-face programme. Please contact one of our expert team to discuss.
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Managing Director for Middle East & North Africa at Eurasia Group and leading authority on GCC geopolitics and Iran strategy
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