Firas Maksad

Managing Director, Middle East & North Africa, Eurasia Group; Leading Expert on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East Geopolitics

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Geopolitics, Middle Eastern Heritage, World Affairs
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Firas Maksad Biography

Firas Maksad is the managing director for the Middle East and North Africa practice at Eurasia Group. He oversees the team covering the region's geopolitics and macroeconomics and U.S. foreign policy toward that part of the world. Maksad is a recognized expert on the politics of Lebanon and Syria, the geopolitics of the Arab Gulf states, and the broader dynamics of the Middle East.

Prior to joining Eurasia Group, Maksad was a senior director and senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, a leading Washington-based think tank. He also managed his own boutique political consulting firm and has been an adjunct professor at George Washington University's Elliott School for International Affairs. Earlier in his career, Maksad worked for Eurasia Group as an analyst in the Middle East and North Africa practice.

Maksad's writings have appeared in leading publications such as the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, and the Los Angeles Times. He frequently offers expert commentary on U.S. politics and the Middle East for global news networks, including CNN, the BBC, CNBC, Bloomberg, and others.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/01/2025.

Firas Maksad Speaking Topics

  • Navigating the New Middle East: GCC Geopolitics, U.S. Policy, and Economic Trends in a Transforming Region

    The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is undergoing transformative change, with the GCC states – especially Saudi Arabia – at the center of the action. From the bold economic diversification efforts underway in the Gulf to the shifting dynamics brought by regional reconciliation and ongoing conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and the broader Levant, the region’s complexity and global importance are growing rapidly.

    In this keynote, Firas Maksad, Eurasia Group’s Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa and a leading authority on GCC countries, provides clear-eyed insight into the latest political, economic, and policy developments shaping the region’s future. Drawing on years advising decision-makers and contributing to international media, Firas will explore:

    • The evolving roles of Saudi Arabia and other GCC states in regional politics, energy markets, and global diplomacy
    • The economic transformation and diversification strategies of the Gulf and their global implications
    • How reforms in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are shaping foreign policy ambitions
    • The continuing political and security challenges across Lebanon, Syria, and the Levant, and their regional ripple effects
    • The shift in US, Chinese, and Russian strategies toward the GCC and the wider MENA region
    • What to watch next: emerging risks, critical inflection points, and new opportunities for investors, businesses, and policymakers

    This session is designed for leaders seeking nuanced, up-to-date analysis of where the Middle East and particularly the GCC, is headed, and why the region’s evolution matters more than ever on the world stage.

Firas Maksad Videos

Firas Maksad - Middle East Institute

Firas Maksad - Middle East Institute

The struggle for the future of Lebanon

Firas Maksad - CNN

Firas Maksad - CNN

Firas Maksad speaks to CNN about Lebanon's next prime minister

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  • What are the speaker fees for Firas Maksad

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  • What topics does Firas Maksad speak about?

    Firas Maksad is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Geopolitics, Middle Eastern Heritage, World Affairs

  • Where does Firas Maksad travel from?

    Firas Maksad generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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Firas Maksad is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Navigating the New Middle East: GCC Geopolitics, U.S. Policy, and Economic Trends in a Transforming Region. The estimated speaking fee range to book Firas Maksad for your event is available upon request. Firas Maksad generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Robert D. Kaplan, Parag Khanna, Shabnam Nasimi, Dr. David Oualaalou and Alaa Murabit. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Firas Maksad for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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