A Special Event for Corporate Council Members
We're excited to announce that MEI will host its third annual CENTCOM Commanders Council on October 12, 2025. The event will unite military, diplomatic, and policy leaders to address key US-Middle East challenges and strategy shifts. Further details about speakers and sponsorship opportunities will be released soon.
2024 Program
Keynote
General Michael E. Kurilla
15th Commander of U.S. Central Command (current)
Panel
General John P. Abizaid, USA (ret.)
8th Commander of U.S. Central Command
Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Chairman of the Middle East Institute Board of Governors
General Joseph L. Votel, USA (ret.)
13th Commander of U.S. Central Command
MEI Distinguished Sr. Fellow on National Security
Ambassador Anne Patterson
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs
Mr. David Schenker
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs
David Ignatius (moderator)
Columnist, The Washington Post
2024 Reception Sponsors
Sponsorship
Thank you to all of this year’s sponsors and attendees. If you are interested in sponsoring the 2025 event, please contact development@mei.edu.
Click here to learn more about MEI Corporate Council membership and benefits, or view our brochure (PDF).
2023 Program
On September 14th, 2023, MEI hosted it's inaugural CENTCOM Commanders Council Dinner at its headquarters in Washington D.C. The dinner featured an off-record conversation with four former CENTCOM Commanders: Generals (ret.) Anthony Zinni, John Abizaid, Joseph Votel, and Frank McKenzie; as well as remarks from the current CENTCOM Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, Maj. Gen. Sean M. Salene.
View our readout from the 2023 event
