Dr. Naila Al Sowayel, Senior Academic & Research Fellow and Director of the GCC Area Studies Program at the National Council, is a distinguished former Saudi Arabian career diplomat who over the course of an exceptional career spanning more than four decades, played a pivotal role in advancing diplomatic engagement, research, strategic communications, and policy development between the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the broader Arab and Islamic world.
Dr. Al Sowayel’s diplomatic career has been defined by her ability to navigate complex geopolitical environments and foster meaningful dialogue at the highest levels of government. She has been instrumental in strengthening bilateral and multilateral relationships, contributing to initiatives that promote regional stability, mutual understanding, and long-term strategic cooperation.
Prior to her diplomatic service, Dr. Al Sowayel served as a journalist and Bureau Chief for the Saudi Press Agency in Washington, D.C., where she covered the White House, the State Department, and U.S. political affairs. In this role, she developed a sophisticated understanding of American policymaking, governance, and media dynamics—insights that would later inform her effectiveness as a diplomat supporting policy strategy.
Dr. Al Sowayel received her BA from Wellesley College, her MSFS from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University where she was also awarded her PhD.
