I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of the work that all of us at the Gold Institute for International Strategy continue to do. Through the support of people like yourself, the Gold Institute has continued success year after year. As the year comes to a close, I would beg for your generosity one more time.
The Gold Institute for International Strategy is unlike most think tanks based in Washington. While most think tanks are based on the academic knowledge of their scholars, our Institute is based on the practical understanding of our practitioners. We understand that there is often a gap between academic and practical, implementable solutions. Over the past year, the Gold Institute has seen significant growth, and our fellows continue to see an ever-increasing request for insight.
The Gold Institute has several institutional projects that we continue to work on, including our strategic alliance program, which has been at the forefront of professionalizing the crafting and execution of U.S. national security strategy and alliance strategy. We also continue our dedicated work with regional political, religious, and military leaders to support the people of Iran while challenging the regime of the Islamic Republic. The Iran Liberation Project employs indirect yet consequential means to undermine the regime and empower the freedom-loving people of Iran, all the while working to bring security and stability to the region.
Our Senior Fellows have been deeply engaged in counter-terrorism efforts. Their work gained additional significance following the October 7 attacks, where we played a vital role in addressing emerging threats. Our expertise extends to the development of narratives and counter-narratives in response to the rhetoric and activities of anti-Israel and pro-Hamas groups worldwide.
Our fellow’s efforts have been critical in providing national security and intelligence agencies in various countries with insights and analysis on Islamist threats. This includes identifying risks posed by individuals, entities, or organizations influenced by Islamist ideologies, especially in the post-October 7th environment. Our work, grounded in factual analysis and strategic thinking, has contributed to the broader efforts of these agencies in understanding and mitigating potential threats to national and international security.
Our fellows, several of whom are sitting members of parliaments, have been leaders in supporting the policy for a democratic, free, and independent Ukraine through speeches in Parliament and beyond.
As the debate over the efficacy and future of NATO continues, our Parliamentary honorary distinguished fellows continue to debate for a strong institution as the pinnacle of Western. Additionally, our fellows have been addressing the understanding and management of cultural differences and synergies in terms of cognitive biases and moral attributes that often hinder progress in a multinational organization like NATO.
Collaborating with our experts to finalize language and policy proposals for addressing security concerns, the Gold Institute for International Strategy has advised on and drafted some of the year's most consequential national security legislation.
While the West has, with occasional fragility, managed a reasonably united front regarding Ukraine, many of our assumed allies have taken a more nuanced approach and continue to have friendly relations with Russia and Iran. Our distinguished fellows continue to promote our relationships with vital but challenging allies such as India and others and speak on the nature of alliances in a multilateral, more transactional world.
During 2023, the Gold Institute for International Strategy (GIIS) fellows have appeared in the media more than 700 times.
Our fellows have traveled to more than 20 countries for engagements with lawmakers on some of the most essential defense and international relations issues.
We have participated in several international security conferences, including hosting a private foreign relations conference with political and defense leaders from 10 countries representing the Middle East, Europe, and Japan.
In addition to our existing work, January has the Gold Institute traveling to Bangladesh to observe the upcoming, somewhat contentious, presidential elections. While the Biden administration has called for observers in the country’s elections, the Bangladeshi election commission chose to reach out to the Gold Institute whose objectivity they felt confident in to fill that role.
Shortly thereafter, the Gold Institute will cosponsor the Rudaw Erbil Security Forum in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. At this conference, 400 to 600 security experts from across the globe will convene to discuss some of the most critical issues affecting the globe.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to advancing international strategy and security. Beginning in February, under the leadership of Mark Foley in New York, the Gold Institute's New York staff will once again bring such consequential foreign policy and security conversations to the public. Please stay tuned for details.
None of these achievements would have been possible without your support. Please make one last contribution before the close of the year to support the vital work of the Gold Institute for International Strategy. Contributions can be made directly at https://goldiis.org/donate-to-foreign-policy-solutions-dc.
Thank you for being an integral part of the Gold Institute's success.
Eli
Eli M. Gold
President
Gold Institute for International Strategy
444 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 840
Washington, DC 20001
202.938.8893
