Middle East Analyst, Author, Educator, Speaker, and Founder of Inside the Middle East Intelligence Perspectives [ITME] Institute

Avi Melamed is a distinguished Geopolitical Middle East Expert, Intelligence Analyst, Author, Educator, and Founder and CEO of Inside the Middle East Intelligence Perspectives [ITME].

With a rich history as a former Israeli Intelligence Official and Senior Advisor on Arab Affairs, Avi has been uniquely positioned at the intersection of diplomacy, education, and intelligence.

Fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, Avi is recognized for his profound understanding of current affairs in the Arab and Muslim world and their implications on Israel and the broader Middle East. His deep familiarity with the Arab and Muslim world has enabled him to predict key regional events.

Beyond his governmental and intelligence roles, where he undertook high-risk assignments, Avi’s most significant contribution lies in his commitment to education.

His public service journey segued into academia when he was appointed the Fellow of Intelligence and Middle East Affairs at the Eisenhower Institute in Washington, D.C. During his tenure (2013 – 2018), Avi developed an undergraduate experiential education course, which later expanded to Capitol Hill, called "Inside the Middle East: Intelligence Perspectives" [ITME]. The ITME praxis rests on two core pillars: providing apolitical, non-partisan, contextualized education about the Middle East and developing critical thinking and media literacy skills.

Recognizing the course's broader implications, Avi expanded ITME into a not-for-profit independent institute. Today, guided by a diversified Board of Directors, ITME offers a wealth of customized educational programming in Israel and around the world and serves a wide variety of Jewish and non-Jewish audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and ideologies - including students, diplomats, media professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and global figures. With a philosophy that stresses apolitical, non-partisan education about the Middle East and understanding Israel within the broader context of the Middle East, ITME equips individuals with knowledge, resources, skills, and tools equipping them to navigate complex global issues amidst misconceptions and oversimplified narratives. Committed to bridging bridges through understanding, ITME is a testament to Avi’s belief in the power of education to empower minds and bridge ideological divides, and his briefings, seminars, workshops, courses, and tours are acclaimed for cultivating nuanced, comprehensive perspectives, fostering constructive dialogue and understanding and a community rooted in informed perspectives and thoughtful discourse.

In addition to his extensive contributions, Avi has penned several books, including the recent "Inside The Middle East | Entering a New Era," that serve as vital navigational tools for understanding the region. These publications, along with his ongoing analysis, receive high acclaim, including from across the Arab and Muslim world. Avi’s analysis and predictions are frequently sought by business leaders, diplomats, and policymakers. 

In May 2023, under Avi's direction, ITME launched a groundbreaking five-part documentary series, خط التماس | Kav Ha Tefer | קו התפר | The Seam Line. Avi Melamed’s Jerusalem Living on the Edge of Eternity is a distinct opportunity to explore the conflict in and over Jerusalem, gain unique insights, uncover perspectives rarely explored by Western media, and understand the Israeli-Palestine conflict and the complex reality of the Middle East. The Seam Line is a transformative journey toward understanding, cooperation, and constructive dialogue.

Avi is a frequent commentator on Arabic and English international media platforms such as Al-Arabiya, Al-Hura, BBC, CNN, I24 News, FOX, France24, Sky News, and many more. He is a recognized expert featured in Bloomberg, the Financial Times, the Hill, Newsweek, the New York Post, Reuters, and the Wall Street Journal, just to name a few. And is a permanent contributor to USA Today. More of his analysis and interviews can be found on the ITME Hub.

Avi Melamed's distinct expertise offers an unparalleled perspective on a region that is pivotal in shaping global geopolitics, equipping individuals to adeptly navigate the events of tomorrow.