Avi Jorisch

Avi Jorisch is a seasoned entrepreneur and Middle East expert. He is a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council and founder of IMS, a merchant processing company that services clients nationwide. A thought leader in exploring global inovation trends, the Arab world, counterterrorism, and illicit finance, Mr. Jorisch previously served in the US Departments of Treasury and Defense. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Binghamton University and a master's degree in Islamic history from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He also studied Arabic and Islamic philosophy at the American University in Cairo and al-Azhar University, the preeminent institution of Sunni Islamic learning. An author of four previousbooks, Jorisch'sarticleshave appeared in influential outlets including theNew York Times, theWall Street Journal,Foreign Affairs,Forbes, andAl-Arabiya.net. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.