Avi Melamed is author of the new book, Inside the Middle East. An internationally acclaimed Middle East expert and former Senior official on Arab Affairs and Intelligence official, Avi Melamed is now an independent Middle East strategic intelligence analyst, private lecturer, and Fellow of Intelligence and Middle East Affairs at the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College. He is a frequent media guest who has appeared on major radio and television programs around the world. Fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, he has spent decades operating in Arab cities throughout the region, often in high-risk positions at sensitive times. Avi Melamed’s unique experience, outstanding analytical abilities, and profound understanding of the Arab world—coupled with direct access to sources, regional intelligence resources and networks throughout the Arab world—has allowed him to keep his finger on the pulse of the Middle East. He has a proven and unparalleled record of foreseeing the evolution of events across the region. During the first intifada, he was Israel’s youngest-ever deputy adviser on Arab affairs, working with then mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek. He then served as senior advisor to Israel’s former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during his time as mayor. He lives in Israel.