As published on Middle East Institute.
Michael Patrick Mulroy
Senior Fellow for National Security and Defense Policy
Michael “Mick” Patrick Mulroy is Senior Fellow for National Security and Defense Policy at the Middle East Institute. He is also the co-founder of Lobo Institute, a private firm consulting, advising and teaching on current and future conflicts.
Mulroy is a former United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Middle East (Nov. 2017-Dec. 2019). As DASD for the Middle East, he was responsible for U.S. Department of Defense policy for Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. He is a retired Central Intelligence Agency Paramilitary Operations Officer and United States Marine. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Grassroots Reconciliation Group, a nonprofit to help rehabilitate child soldiers.
Education
Bachelor’s from Augusta University; Law degree from Samford University
Issues of Expertise
US Military, Defense & Security
Countries of Expertise
Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen
Eric S. Oehlerich
Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security
Eric “Olly” Oehlerich is Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security at the Middle East Institute. He is also the co-founder of Lobo Institute, a private firm consulting, advising and teaching on current and future conflicts.
Olly is a retired 20+ year Navy SEAL Officer, ending his career while serving as the Commanding Officer (CO) of Naval Special Warfare Development Group- Squadron 2, from July of 2017-2019. At the pinnacle of a career as CO of this elite unit, he was responsible for the research and development of technology and tactics for SEALs to use against the nation’s hardest problems. The geographic scope of responsibility spanned the Pacific, Africa and Middle East. By galvanizing over 1,100 personnel combined with collection technology he provided a security blanket against extremism for the International Community. Olly is also a member of the Board of Directors for Grassroots Reconciliation Group, a nonprofit to help rehabilitate child soldiers.
Olly graduated from the Naval Academy in 1999 and went straight to Basic Underwater Demolition (BUD) Seal training, a grueling program that pushes young service members to their limits. Out of 144 students who entered his training class, he was one of only 10 who finished.
