We also welcome distinguished Board Members and selfless fund of middle east programs here at Atlantic Council john de blasio. Finally we welcome u. S. Government officials, private companies and nonprofits. I predict a rich and substantive question and answer session following the discussion on the stage. Open to everyone. This richins of the discussion will be enhanced by the absolutely superlative interviewer who will draw the kernels of wisdom out of nabeel today. Tom friedman needs no introduction but simply for fun i will remind you can read his analysis of Foreign Affairs in the new york times, analysis for which he has thrice won the pulitzer prize. Tom is the author of several books and one of which was a textbook as an undergraduate. His full bio is available for you and is printed at. Let us turn to our man of the hour nabeel khoury. Hes a nonbrexit senior fellow fellow at the atlantic counsels christopher middle east are in addition to his work on our website you can read o