Bilal Saab

Bilal Y. Saab is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University's Security Studies Program within the School of Foreign Service, specializing in U.S. defense policy and international security studies. He concurrently serves as Senior Managing Director of TRENDS US in Washington, D.C., leading the US-Middle East Practice and advising TRENDS Research and Advisory in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, he is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and has held senior roles in the Pentagon and think tanks like the Middle East Institute and Atlantic Council.

• Education: MA in International Relations & Security (University of Maryland, College Park), MLitt in International Security Studies (University of St Andrews), BA (American University of Beirut).

His research focuses on counter-terrorism, Middle East security dynamics, and U.S. defense strategies in the region. He has authored influential works including Rebuilding Arab Defense (2022) and frequently publishes in journals like Survival and Military Review. His expertise is informed by over two decades of Middle East residence and multilingual fluency (Arabic/French).

• Awards: Atlantic Council Thought Leadership Award, CSIS Abshire-Inamori Leadership Award.

Prior roles include Senior Advisor for Security Cooperation in the Pentagon's Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, where he oversaw CENTCOM's security cooperation. He founded and directed the Middle East Institute's Defense and Security Program and the Atlantic Council's Middle East Security Initiative. His advisory work spans governments and international agencies, with frequent media commentary via CNN, PBS, and The Washington Post.