PHILADELPHIA – February 14, 2025 – The Middle East Forum (MEF) today announced a leadership transition intended to ensure stability and continuity of core values and vision. Daniel Pipes, who has headed the organization since its founding in 1994, has become Chairman of the Executive Committee. Gregg Roman, MEF’s Director since 2015, has become Executive Director.
Daniel Pipes established the Forum as a voice to “promote American interests,” relying on his scholarly background as a historian. Until 9/11, this largely meant publishing the Middle East Quarterly. The sudden attention to Middle Eastern and Islamic issues made possible the launching of various initiatives, including Campus Watch, Islamist Watch, and the Legal Project. Later years saw such additions as the Israel Victory Project and Focus on Western Islamism.
The Wall Street Journal calls Mr. Pipes “an authoritative commentator on the Middle East” and the Washington Post deems him both “a prominent conservative intellectual“ and “perhaps the most prominent U.S. scholar on radical Islam.” The New York Times calls him “smart and well-informed.”
Mr. Pipes will take over as Chairman of the Executive Committee from Scott Rosenblum, who filled that role since 2021 and becomes Chairman Emeritus. As Chairman, Mr. Pipes will advise the Forum staff on its research agenda and policy initiatives. This move allows MEF to benefit from his experience and insight even as he entrusts operational leadership to the next generation.
Gregg Roman, MEF’s Director and Chief Operating Officer, now becomes the Executive Director. Previously, Mr. Roman managed MEF’s day-to-day operations, communications, and development efforts, working to expand the Forum’s programs and influence. His signature initiatives have included an investigative unit to expose extremism and corruption as well as an enhanced impact on policy.
As Executive Director, Mr. Roman plans to guide MEF’s staff in ways to further bolster MEF’s research capabilities, advocacy reach, and policy impact.
Mr. Pipes comments, “I am excited by MEF’s young and talented team and feel lucky to have found Gregg to guide it forward and I am confident of the Forum under his leadership. As Executive Committee Chairman, I hope to provide useful advice while gaining more time to devote to my writing projects.”
Mr. Rosenblum adds: “The Committee thanks Daniel for 31 years of leadership and also for his foresight in planning this transition. I also have confidence that Gregg is the right person to lead the Forum into a new era.”
Mr. Roman says: “I am honored by the trust placed in me. Under Daniel’s mentorship, I’ve learned the think tank’s role of combining scholarship with actionable policy impact. The Middle East remains a volatile region, making MEF’s work always vital. MEF will continue to promote American interests and preserve Western values through research, education, and policy advocacy.”
The Middle East Forum, a non-profit organization, promotes American interests in the Middle East and defends Western civilization against Islamism. For more information, visit www.meforum.org.
For immediate release:
For more information, contact:
Gregg Roman
Email: roman@meforum.org
Phone: +1 (215) 546-5406
