Ali is an award-winning Middle East analyst and Persian/Dari linguist who holds a M.A. in anthropology from the University of Chicago and a M.S. in international relations from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Ali draws upon considerable research and analysis experience to provide insights into the sociocultural and geopolitical issues facing the region. While an Associate at the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Ali served as a senior Middle East analyst and Persian language interpreter, managing projects for a variety of clients. He has briefed senior government officials, and his findings have been cited in U.S. Congressional testimony. A Truman Security Fellow, Ali’s commentary on the Middle East has been featured in numerous outlets, including The Washington Post, The Guardian, Christian Science Monitor, National Interest, and Al-Monitor.

Ali has both on-the-ground and academic experience in the Middle East, having lived in Saudi Arabia for 11 years, spent considerable time in Iran, and traveled widely throughout the region. He also spent one year in Irbid, Jordan as a Fulbright Scholar. He has received numerous honors for his work on the Middle East, including a Huffington Fellowship from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship, three Booz Allen Hamilton Performance and Team awards, and the 2007 American Anthropological Association Award for the Best Middle East Paper.

In addition to his work as an international affairs analyst, Ali has participated in archaeological excavations throughout the Middle East and Southwest United States.

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