New York, NY (April 16, 2014) — The Near East Foundation (NEF) is pleased to announce that Ian Bremmer, distinguished political scientist and author, has joined its President’s Council.

“The Near East Foundation represents a spirit and commitment to political stability and economic well-being needed now more than ever in the world,” said Mr. Bremmer. “I’m honored to join the President’s Council and support NEF’s critical efforts.”

Mr. Bremmer is Founder and President of Eurasia Group, the leading global political risk research and consulting firm. His firm provides financial, corporate, and government clients with information and insight on how political developments move markets.

As a member of the President’s Council, he joins other diplomatic and global leaders who provide strategic guidance for NEF’s economic development and participatory governance efforts throughout the Middle East and Africa.

“Ian is one of the world’s foremost experts on global issues, and we are very grateful that his strategic insights will help inform our work to reduce poverty and build cooperation throughout the region,” said Shant Mardirossian, Chair of NEF’s Board of Directors.

Mr. Bremmer created Wall Street’s first global political risk index and has authored several books, including the national bestseller, Every Nation for Itself: Winners and Losers in a G-Zero World. He is a columnist for the Financial Times, Reuters and Politico Magazine, and is frequent contributor to numerous other print and television media outlets.

He holds a PhD in political science from Stanford University and was the youngest-ever national fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is a global research professor at New York University, and has held faculty positions at Columbia University, the EastWest Institute and the World Policy Institute.

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Eurasia Group is the world’s leading global political risk research and consulting firm. By providing information and insight on how political developments move markets, we help clients anticipate and respond to instability and opportunities everywhere they do business. Founded in 1998, the firm’s name reveals its early focus on the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, but today our research platform is global. Our analysts monitor political, economic, social, and security developments in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. Headquartered in New York, we have offices in Washington, D.C. and London, as well as on-the-ground experts and resources in more than 100 countries. Our analysts are highly trained political scientists with extensive experience in the public and private sectors. To learn more visit eurasiagroup.net

The Near East Foundation is a U.S.-based international NGO leading innovative social and economic development in the Middle East and Africa since 1915. For nearly 100 years, NEF has worked to empower citizens in disadvantaged, vulnerable communities. NEF field staff – all of them from the countries in which they work – partner with local organizations to find grassroots solutions to their development challenges. NEF’s “knowledge, voice, and enterprise” approach is helping build more prosperous, inclusive communities throughout the region. To learn more visit www.neareast.org