Last week, the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations proudly wrapped up the 2025 Washington, DC Summer Internship Program (USSIP) — a transformative experience that brought together 16 outstanding students from across the United States. For eight weeks, these emerging leaders immersed themselves in the heart of Washington D.C., engaging with top-tier institutions including diplomatic missions and embassies, federal agencies, leading think tanks, and major media outlets.
The National Council’s Summer Internship Program continues to serve as a launchpad for the next generation of U.S.-Arab relations professionals — and this year’s cohort proved that the future is bright.
Summer interns gather for their welcome dinner at DAS Ethiopian in Georgetown.
To gain insight into the U.S. perspective on U.S.-Arab relations, students participated in site visits to many important institutions and cultural sites throughout Washington D.C., including the Department of State, the Pentagon, and Capitol Hill. These visits offered a deeper understanding of how each institution contributes to foreign policy and engages with the Middle East. Students had the opportunity to interact with congressional staff, senior military officials, and media experts, asking thoughtful questions and gaining valuable perspectives on the workings of U.S. international relations.
Summer interns pictured above after an informative tour at the Pentagon.
Summer interns pictured above pose together at the Department of State in the welcome hall.
We would like to offer special thanks to the League of Arab States Mission and the embassies of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Algeria, and Kuwait for their generous hospitality in welcoming our interns for site visits over the course of the program. These visits provided a valuable and rare opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the intricacies of international diplomacy. Our interns distinguished themselves through thoughtful, well-informed questions that demonstrated a strong grasp of domestic priorities and global policy issues.
Summer interns pictured above at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Spokesperson, Mr. Fahad Nazer, as the Embassy celebrates 80 years of relations with the United States.
Summer interns take notes from speakers H.E. Diana Alhadid and Mr. Rani Saliba at the embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Summer interns have lunch and engage in thoughtful discussion with H.E. Ambassador and Chief Representative in the United States of the League of Arab States Abdulkhalig Bin Rafaa, and Deputy Chief of Mission of the League of Arab States Khalid Burr at the League of Arab States Mission Office.
To deepen their understanding of the role international media plays in shaping intergovernmental relations and public perception, the students were hosted by the globally renowned news organization Al Jazeera for one of their site visits. During their visit, students met with Dr. Abderrahim Foukara, Al Jazeera’s Washington Bureau Chief. In a candid and insightful discussion, Dr. Foukara shared his perspectives on journalism, media responsibility, and the challenges of maintaining integrity in a rapidly evolving news landscape. Interns engaged him with thoughtful questions on the influence of media in global affairs, the portrayal of the Middle East in Western outlets, and how journalism can serve as both a bridge and a barrier in international relations. The visit offered our interns a glimpse into the intersection of media, diplomacy, and global discourse, further enriching the interns’ holistic view of U.S.-Arab relations.
Summer interns pictured above with Al Jazeera D.C. Bureau Chief, Dr. Abderrahim Foukara
Al-Jazeera’s D.C. Bureau Chief, Dr. Abderrahim Foukarra, holds a round-table discussion with summer interns following a tour of Al-Jazeera’s studio.
Complementing the site visits, participants in the Summer Internship Program engaged in twice-weekly seminar sessions aimed at deepening their understanding of the Arab world. These seminars highlighted the rich cultural, economic, and political diversity across Arab states and provided an in-depth exploration of the complexities surrounding Arab-U.S. relations. Hosted by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations at our Washington, D.C. office, the sessions offered a dynamic forum for learning and dialogue.
The seminar series featured distinguished guests, including former U.S. Ambassadors to Arab countries, former U.S. Armed Forces officers, professors from top universities, as well as representatives from organizations, think-tanks, and businesses with vested interests in the Middle East.
Professor Col. (Ret.) David Des Roches (Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies – NESA) gives an insightful lecture about U.S. military capability to program students.
The National Council’s Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Fadi Hilani delivers an insightful lecture on the Gulf Cooperation Council and relations with the United States
Ambassador Anne Patterson (Ret.) Former Ambassador to Egypt, Pakistan, Colombia, El Salvador, and the United Nations and former Asst. Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs lectures summer interns on the Arab Spring and the American response.
Mr. Afshin Molavi, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins SAIS, addresses summer interns at an evening lecture.
National Council President and CEO Emeritus, Mr. H. Delano Roosevelt & Founder Dr. John Duke Anthony pictured with our summer interns and VADM James Malloy after his evening lecture
The Youth Leadership Development Model Arab League Program (YLDMALP or MAL) stands as the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ flagship educational initiative, held annually through regional conferences in the fall and spring. As an extension of this program, participants in the Summer Internship Program—alongside affiliated individuals—organized and took part in a special day-long Model Arab League simulation at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.
If you would like to learn more about the Youth Leadership Development Model Arab League Program please visit the link below!
Click here to learn more about the Model Arab League
Summer Internship Model Arab League Delegates devise a strategy for a resolution.
Deliberations on humanitarian fund allocations are held at large by Model Delegates.
A farewell luncheon, commencing the students’ successful completion of the program, was held at Lebanese Taverna on Connecticut Avenue. Representatives of partner organizations, such as Islamic Relief USA and Georgetown Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, joined in celebrating the students’ accomplishments throughout the summer. Student Programs Manager, Delaney Leslie, opened with a heartfelt speech; Model Arab League awards followed, and festivities were concluded with awards from the National Council. Students Daniel Chehimi and Zayna Abdel-Rahim were recognized for their outstanding efforts and were recipients of the John Duke Anthony Leadership Award. The two are invited to speak about their experience with the program at this year’s upcoming Annual Gala Awards Dinner & Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference hosted by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations.
Students Daniel Chehimi and Zayna Abdel-Rahim receive their awards from Student Program Manager Delaney Leslie.
Program students, staff members, board members, and guests pose together.
We thank all of the participants of the 2025 National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations Summer Internship program as well as the staff, speakers, and partners who made this year’s programming possible. The National Council looks forward to hosting next year’s cohort in the Summer of 2026 – keep an eye out for the opening of applications in November/December 2025!
