The LINK Program

The LINK Program is made possible through the generosity of the Aeder Family.

LINK Program

LINK offers young professionals opportunities to better understand the Middle East and advance their careers through events with high-level policymakers, journalists, and non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives. It is by young professionals, for young professionals.

LINK – which stands for Learn, Inform, Network, Know – provides collaborative learning spaces for young people working in academia, media, government, NGOs, intelligence, defense, and private industry to connect and build stronger personal networks.

LINK helps young professionals connect with policymakers in ways that are generally not available to junior-level staff members. Participants and presenters have gone on to serve in advanced positions in government, journalism, and private industry.

LINK events have included:

  • Panels with prominent newsmakers

      2022 Qatar World Cup: Sports, Politics, and Human rights 

               Decoding the 'Riddle, Mystery, and Enigma' of Russia and the Emerging New World Order

  • Embassy receptions

  • Trivia nights

March 2017

October 2016

February 2016  

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Get involved

We are always looking for new, creative ways to engage, inform, and empower others in our generation to address key issues in Middle East policy.

If you are interested in volunteering for an event, proposing a speaker or topic, or even giving a presentation yourself, please contact us via email:   LINK@washingtoninstitute.org

 

Past LINK Events

“The Jon Stewart of Iraq”, Ahmad al-Basheer, spoke to Institute expert Bilal Wahab in January 2020 about comedy and truth in modern-day Iraq, as well as answered questions from the audience. Video of that event has garnered over 46,000 views.
A month before the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, LINK held an expert panel discussion on the trajectory of U.S. policy towards Iran and the greater Middle East.
In December 2019, LINK’s “Mideast
Trivia' took place at Mission in Dupont Circle, where participants tested their knowledge of the history, geography, and current affairs of the Middle East.
In October 2019, LINK hosted small-group career talks with foreign policy professionals from Capitol Hill, the Department of Treasury, the Pentagon, journalism, and more.  Participants learned first-hand about the variety of careers in foreign policy in candid, small-group discussions.
LINK hosted a live recording of Vox’s foreign affairs podcast, Worldly, in June 2019. It was their first-ever live show.