Marquis Who’s Who Honors Khalil E. Jahshan for Expertise in Mideast Foreign Policy
Khalil E. Jahshan is a distinguished leader in the field of foreign policy and Middle East affairs with a career spanning 45 years of dedication and is the Executive Director of the Arab Center Washington DC
Khalil E. Jahshan has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value.
Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Jahshan has established a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in the field of foreign policy and Middle East politics, marked by steadfast dedication to Arab American politics and advocacy.
For the past 10 years, he has served as executive director at Arab Center Washington DC Inc. in the District of Columbia. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in shaping the center’s research agenda and public engagement on issues related to the Middle East and United States foreign policy.
His leadership reflects his most notable achievement: an unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights, Arab American politics, while maintaining active involvement despite its volatility and competing influences for over 45 years.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Jahshan was executive director of the Washington D.C. Program at Pepperdine University from 2004 to 2013. During his tenure, he oversaw academic programming and student engagement in the nation’s capital, fostering a deeper understanding of public policy and international affairs among students.
From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Jahshan held the position of executive vice president at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. In this role, he advocated for civil rights and worked to combat discrimination against Arab Americans through policy initiatives pertaining to community and media outreach.
Between 1989 and 1999, Mr. Jahshan served as president of the National Association of Arab Americans. Under his leadership, the organization advanced its mission to promote political empowerment and representation for Arab Americans at the national and international levels.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Jahshan was assistant director at the Palestine Research and Educational Center from 1983 to 1989, where he contributed to research efforts and educational programs focused on Middle Eastern affairs and Palestinian issues. He began his professional journey as director of the national office for the Association of Arab-American University Graduates from 1982 to 1983, where he supported academic collaboration and advocacy among Arab-American academics and policy researchers.
Throughout his career, Mr. Jahshan has demonstrated expertise in foreign policy towards the MENA region, earning recognition for his analytical acumen and thought leadership in international relations. He is also a member of several prominent academic organizations, including the Middle East Studies Association and the American Political Science Association, which have provided platforms for scholarly exchange and professional development.
Mr. Jahshan’s academic background has been foundational to his success. He completed doctoral coursework in political science and Middle East studies at the University of Chicago in 1978, following master’s coursework in political science at the University of Memphis in 1974. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and French from Harding University in 1972. This rigorous academic preparation equipped him with critical insights into global affairs and underpinned his achievements across various leadership roles. He attributes his enduring success to persistence, recognizing that progress in his field requires perseverance rather than immediate gratification – quality that continues to inform his approach as a leader and advocate.
Born in Nazareth, Palestine under the British Mandate, Mr. Jahshan enjoys international travel, reading current affairs, following global news, and enjoying gourmet cooking outside of his professional commitments. Looking ahead, he aims to conclude his lengthy career on a positive note while focusing on helping achieve a just and lasting peaceful resolution to the Palestine issue—his primary life goal.
For more information on Khalil Jahshan and the Arab Center Washington D.C. visit www.ArabCenterDC.org
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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