Panikoff concludes 3-day Kuwait visit with high-level talks
. . . on Kuwait-US ties and Gulf security
Kuwait-US relations, Gulf security and the evolving regional geopolitical landscape were discussed during a three-day visit to Kuwait by Jonathan Panikoff, Senior Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council.
Panikoff’s visit was hosted by Reconnaissance Research as part of the center’s ongoing engagement with leading international policy institutions and experts. He was accompanied by Joze Pelayo, Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives and Policy at the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative.
During the visit, Reconnaissance Research convened a series of closed-door discussions bringing Panikoff together with Kuwaiti participants from diplomatic, economic and academic backgrounds. He also held private meetings with senior government officials.
The discussions examined US policy and the regional outlook, Kuwait-US relations, Gulf security and the changing geopolitical environment. A principal roundtable, titled “US Policy, Allies and the Regional Outlook,” was held under the Chatham House Rule, allowing participants to exchange views candidly.
Panikoff said the visit provided an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of Kuwaiti perspectives at a challenging time for the region. “I’m grateful for the chance to spend a few days in Kuwait, especially now at this challenging time. Kuwait is a critical ally of the US, and the opportunity to hear a myriad of Kuwaiti perspectives will directly help to better inform our Center’s research and to find avenues for additional cooperation, including with our host, Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri and Reconnaissance Research,” he said.
The visit builds on an ongoing relationship between Reconnaissance Research and Panikoff, including previous meetings between Al-Anjeri and Panikoff at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC.
Welcoming the visit, Abdulaziz Al-Anjeri, Founder and CEO of Reconnaissance Research, said the center would continue building bridges with leading policy experts and institutions internationally.
“Reconnaissance Research was established as an independent platform for serious dialogue. Visits such as Jonathan’s allow for a direct and dynamic exchange of perspectives,” Al-Anjeri said. The visit forms part of Reconnaissance Research’s wider engagement with international think tanks, policy experts and institutions.
Panikoff is Senior Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council. From 2015 to 2020, he served as Deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Near East at the US National Intelligence Council.
His work has appeared in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Politico, Time and Newsweek, among other publications. He is also a frequent media commentator and has appeared on CNN, BBC and Fox Live, while being regularly cited by major international publications.
