Polistratics' Editor

Nawaf M. Al-Thani

Nawaf Al-Thani is the Editor of Polistratics, a Columnist at Qatar’s Al-Raya Newspaper (Arabic), a Writer, and a Foreign Affairs & Defense Analyst focusing on Small State Security, MENA Defense writings, and Defense Intelligence Operations studies and methodologies.

With H.H. The Amir Of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani 

He previously served as the Director Of Defense Intelligence Operations in the State of Qatar, holding the rank of Brigadier General. As a Diplomat, he served as the State of Qatar’s Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché to the United States of America, Canada, and the United Mexican States. Before that, I was the Official Spokesperson and Director of Strategic Communications (STRATCOM) at the Qatar Ministry of Defense.

With Gen. Joseph T. Guastella Jr., the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. USAF

Al-Thani has served in several foreign military deployments, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Odyssey Dawn, and Operation Unified Protector, as well in several humanitarian missions globally, including membership in the Arab League Humanitarian Observer mission to Syria in 2012.

Gen. Al-Thani With US SecDef Gen. Mattis

Nawaf has received distinguished commendations and citations from the Qatar Armed Forces, The U.S. Military, several NATO militaries, and multinational organizations. He also received the French Republic’s Army Parachute Infantry Regiment Airborne wings, “Brevet Parachutiste Militair” the Qatar Armed Forces Airborne wings, and Commando tab.

General Al-Thani inaugurated the first Qatar Day At The Pentagon.

He earned his LL.B from Qatar University and an M.Res in Defense Studies from Kings College London (U.K.). He graduated with distinction from the inaugural class (Class No.1) of the Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military Academy (Qatar) and is also a General Command & Staff graduate with honors from the Joaan bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies (Qatar).

Gen. Al-Thani With Ambassador Anne W.  Patterson

He currently serves as an Advisory Committee Member in Georgetown University’s Small States Research Program (Qatar), a Distinguished International Defense Affairs Fellow at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (Washington, D.C.), and a Member of the Board Of Directors of the Gulf International Forum (Washington, D.C.).

Gen. Al-Thani With Gen. Votel, USCENTCOM Commander