LONDON: Prince Faisal bin Salman, chairman of Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), a leading publishing house in the Middle East, has been appointed a member of the Council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an independent think tank based in London.
“All of us at the IISS are delighted to benefit from His Royal Highness’ knowledge and experience. As we build a greater presence in the Middle East, Prince Faisal’s counsel to the IISS will be invaluable,” said IISS Director-General and Chief Executive John Chipman.
According to a spokeswoman for the institute, the IISS Council unanimously approved the prince’s membership. “The IISS Council will benefit from Prince Faisal’s academic experience, highly regarded intellectual gifts and international recognition,” she added.
Prince Faisal holds a doctorate from Oxford University and is the author of “Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: Power Politics in Transition 1968-1971.”
Before embarking on a business career, he was a professor of politics at King Saud University.
Prince Faisal was named “Man of the Year 2004 in Business” at the 2005 Saudi Achievement Awards ceremony organized by Arabian Business, a business magazine published in Dubai.
Prince Faisal is the only Arab member of the IISS Council, which is composed of prominent figures known for their international leadership.
The council advises the institute’s management on intellectual and research priorities and seeks to strengthen its international relationships.
Members are appointed by the council following consultation by its chairman with other members and with the director-general and chief executive.
The IISS is the primary source of accurate, objective information and analysis on international strategic issues for politicians and diplomats, foreign affairs analysts, international business, economists, the military, defense commentators, journalists, academics and the informed public.
Established in 1958, the institute owes no allegiance to any government or to any political or other organizations. Its membership is drawn from more than 90 countries.
The IISS enjoys a unique convening power and has established the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, an annual summit that is becoming the most important regional security gathering in the Middle East.
The IISS also convenes the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and the Global Strategic Review in Geneva, Switzerland, every year.
The IISS stresses rigorous research with a forward-looking policy orientation and places particular emphasis on bringing new perspectives to strategic discussions.
“We seek to bring the best international expertise into the body in order to strengthen its intellectual leadership,” said L. Williams, in charge of administrative affairs.
