On October 21, GMF’s Global Security Dialogues launched with “Who is Backing Whom in the Middle East and Why?” in Dallas, Texas. Gathered in the magnificent Pecan room of the stately Old Parkland complex, thirty business, government, and civic leaders explored contemporary Middle Eastern issues with a panel of distinguished speakers including Ambassador Robert Jordan from the United States, Ambassador Rachad Bouhlal from Morocco, and Director of GMF's Ankara Office Ozgur Uhluhisarcikli from Turkey. The discussion was moderated by GMF's Senior Resident Fellow Adnan Kifayat, who until recently served as Secretary of State John Kerry's acting representative to Muslim communities. A networking reception preceded the dinner engagement.

GMF's Global Security Dialogues bring together leaders from the United States and Europe to discuss pressing foreign policy and security issues with leadership constituencies outside of Washington, DC. Each dialogue takes place over a seated dinner under the Chatham House Rule, which allows information to be shared but not attributed to any particular source. Access is limited to alumni of GMF's leadership development programs, including the Marshall Memorial Fellowship, the Manfred Wörner Seminar, the Leadership Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, and the Asmus Policy Entrepreneurs Fellowship. Each alumnus can register an additional guest who stands to benefit from the conversation.