Speaker Bio

William F. Wechsler is the senior director of Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council, spearheading its work across the MENA region and with US and transatlantic partners. He is also the senior director of the Project on Middle East Integration, where he is shepherding regional integration and normalization efforts between Israel and Its Arab and Muslim neighbors. Wechsler’s most recent government position was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Combatting Terrorism. Previously, Wechsler served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Global Threats. Wechsler graduated with a BA from Cornell University and a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.