Alexander Farley is Senior Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at Vaiu Research & Analysis (VRA) where he manages client relationships and conducts research and programming focused on the region’s development and international cooperation. From 2018 to 2025, he worked at the Middle East Program of the Wilson Center, one of the top ranked think tanks worldwide in regional studies and international relations.

His research interests include labor and education policy, economic development, trade, technology, and entrepreneurship in the Middle East. Prior to joining the Wilson Center, Alex held several research positions at the University of Washington, focusing on political movements in the Middle East. He also served as an instructor at Amideast-Morocco, an international non-profit organization dedicated to education and training in the MENA region. Alex has lived in both Morocco and Jordan, experiences that have contributed to his strong Arabic language skills and a deep cultural understanding of the region’s challenges and opportunities.

He holds dual master’s degrees in International Studies (M.A.) and Public Administration (M.P.A.), as well as a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in International Studies from the University of Washington, Seattle.

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