Shadi Hamid

Shadi Hamid is a political scientist, author, and columnist whose work focuses on the intersection of religion, democracy, and U.S. foreign policy. Hamid earned a B.S. and M.A. from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and a Ph.D. in political science from Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar. He also served as a Fulbright Fellow in Jordan, researching Islamist participation in the democratic process. Hamid became the first Muslim scholar hired by Fuller Theological Seminary, where he served as research professor of Islamic studies.

Hamid is recognized for his scholarship on political Islam and Middle Eastern democracy. His first book, "Temptations of Power: Islamists and Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East," was named a Foreign Affairs Best Book. His book "Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam is Reshaping the World" was shortlisted for the Lionel Gelber Prize for best book on foreign affairs. He has also authored "Rethinking Political Islam," "Militants, Criminals and Warlords," "The Problem of Democracy," and "The Case for American Power." In his work, Hamid explores the complexities of American influence and the global struggle over democracy and religion.

Hamid is a columnist at The Washington Post, where he writes about culture, religion, and foreign policy. He is a senior fellow at the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University and previously served on the Post's Editorial Board. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The National Interest, and other major publications.

Hamid is the co-founder of "Wisdom of Crowds," a podcast, newsletter, and debate platform focused on intellectual exchange about politics, religion, and society. His work bridges academic scholarship, policy analysis, and public discourse, contributing to ongoing conversations about Islam, democracy, and American power.