MA, American University, Washington DC; PhD in Political Science, Georgetown University. Formerly: Fulbright Scholar; Visiting Professor, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University; Member, Dubai Cultural Council; General Coordinator, Gulf Development Forum; Director, research centre, AlKhaleej newspaper; Editor, Gulf Strategic Report; Editor, Journal of Social Affairs. Currently, Professor of Political Science, Emirates University and Lead Author, Arab Knowledge Report. Research interests include political changes in Gulf and Arab world, Gulf security, contemporary issues of Arab Gulf States and international relations. Author of several books including: Narrative of Politics (2006); The Gulf Regional System (2007). Author of over 40 articles including Dubai: an Arab City Going Global, and Political Reform: The Case of the UAE (both 2006). Recipient of the Cultural Personality of the Year award (2005).