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WASHINGTON (Oct. 20, 2010) — The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) announces the addition of Dr. Emiliano Alessandri as a Transatlantic Fellow in its Mediterranean Policy Program. Alessandri, previously a visiting fellow on foreign policy with the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution, brings to GMF an extensive knowledge of transatlantic affairs and the modern history of U.S.-European relations.

Alessandri's engagement on transatlantic policy ranges from Ankara to Washington. He has held several positions in leading foreign-policy think tanks and academic institutions in Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. From 2008-2009, he worked in the Directorate General for Enlargement of the European Commission. He has participated in research projects and initiatives regarding Turkey and Turkey-EU relations, including “Talking Turkey,” a joint multi-year project between IAI of Rome, TEPAV of Ankara, and Istituto Paralleli of Turin, to offer recommendations for a European communication strategy for Turkey. In 2009, Alessandri was a visiting fellow at Center for European Studies of the Middle East Technical University (CES-METU) in Ankara, where he conducted research on Turkish foreign policy in the Middle East and its impact on European perceptions of Turkey.

"We are truly delighted to have Dr. Alessandri on board at GMF, where he will strengthen our capacity on Mediterranean, Turkish and Wider Atlantic issues,” said Dr. Ian Lesser, Senior Transatlantic Fellow at GMF, who directs the Mediterranean Policy Program. “Naturally, he will also contribute to our work with important institutional partners in Italy. He comes to us with an impressive background in academia and research on both sides of the Atlantic, and we look forward to his participation across our research, convening, and outreach activities."

GMF's Mediterranean Policy Program promotes transatlantic and north-south debate on Mediterranean issues and strategies. Priority areas include: understanding trends in Mediterranean societies, including opportunities for south-south cooperation and integration; research and debate on key functional issues affecting Mediterranean security and development; and strengthening the North American policy debate on the region and fostering transatlantic cooperation on Mediterranean strategy.

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan American public policy and grantmaking institution dedicated to promoting better understanding and cooperation between North America and Europe on transatlantic and global issues.

GMF does this by supporting individuals and institutions working in the transatlantic sphere, by convening leaders and members of the policy and business communities, by contributing research and analysis on transatlantic topics, and by providing exchange opportunities to foster renewed commitment to the transatlantic relationship. In addition, GMF supports a number of initiatives to strengthen democracies.

Founded in 1972 through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition to its headquarters in Washington, DC, GMF has six offices in Europe: Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Ankara, and Bucharest. GMF also has smaller representations in Bratislava, Turin, and Stockholm.