London, Asharq Al-Awsat- The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has announced the appointment of HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud its Council.

John Chipman, IISS Director-General and Chief Executive said, ‘All of us at the IISS are delighted to benefit from His Royal Highness’s knowledge and experience. As we build a greater presence in the Middle East, Prince Faisal’s counsel to the IISS will be invaluable.’

Prince Faisal is Chairman of Saudi Research & Marketing Group, the leading publishing house in the Middle East, and was named ‘Man of the Year 2004 in Business’ at the 2005 Saudi Achievement Awards ceremony organized by Arabian Business, a business magazine published in Dubai. His father is HRH Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Province.

Prince Faisal holds a doctorate from Oxford University and is the author of ‘Iran, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: Power Politics in Transition 1968-1971’. Before embarking on a business career, he was a professor of politics at King Saud University.

The IISS Council, which is composed of prominent figures known for their international leadership, advises the management of the Institute on intellectual and research priorities and seeks to strengthen the Institute’s international relationships. Members are appointed by the Council following consultation by its Chairman with other members and with the Director-General and Chief Executive.

The IISS, an independent think-tank based in London, is the primary source of accurate, objective information and analysis on international strategic issues for politicians and diplomats, foreign affairs analysts, international business, economists, the military, defense commentators, journalists, academics and the informed public.

The Institute owes no allegiance to any government or to any political or other organizations. Its membership is drawn from more than 90 countries. The IISS enjoys a unique convening power, and has established The Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, an annual summit that is becoming the most important regional security gathering in the Middle East. The IISS also annually convenes the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, and the Global Strategic Review in Geneva, Switzerland.

The IISS stresses rigorous research with a forward-looking policy orientation and places particular emphasis on bringing new perspectives to strategic discussions. As a member of the IISS Council, the Institute will benefit from Prince Faisal bin Salman’s academic experience, highly regarded intellectual gifts and international recognition.