Bridging
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Colonel (Ret.) Abbas Dahouk is the Founder and President of HyphenPoint™ LLC, a strategic advisory firm dedicated to advancing mutual interests and strengthening relationships between the United States and the Middle East. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations in Washington, D.C., where he continues to foster dialogue and understanding across cultures and sectors. A sought-after commentator, Abbas regularly contributes his expertise to global media outlets including BBC, Al Arabiya, Al Hadath, Al Jazeera, TV-7 Jerusalem, and Al Sharq.

Born and raised in Lebanon during the country’s 1975–1990 civil war, Abbas’s early years were defined by conflict and resilience. At 15, he joined the Lebanese-Druze militia, and by 17, he was undergoing military training at the Simferopol Military Camp in Crimea, then part of the Soviet Union. Disillusioned by the violence, he sought a new beginning and immigrated to the United States at age 21 with little more than determination and a vision for a better future. Choosing to give back to his adopted country, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, embarking on what would become a distinguished 33-year career in military service and diplomacy.

Abbas served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and as an intelligence officer in the 1st Infantry Division, later holding key leadership roles across Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. His rare blend of operational insight and regional fluency positioned him as a soldier-diplomat at the highest levels of U.S. foreign engagement.

At the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Abbas served as Senior Military Advisor, coordinating defense policy with CENTCOM and AFRICOM. He directed security cooperation for Afghanistan and Pakistan, serving under Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, President Obama’s Special Representative for the region. Later, as the U.S. Defense and Army Attaché to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he represented the United States under Defense Secretaries Chuck Hagel, Ash Carter, and Jim Mattis, strengthening one of Washington’s most critical defense partnerships. Earlier in his career, he was an Associate Professor of Arabic and Persian-Farsi at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, shaping the next generation of American officers.

Abbas holds dual undergraduate degrees—a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern Studies—from the University of Arizona, as well as a Master of Arts in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

A U.S. Army Ranger and Master Parachutist, Colonel Dahouk’s service and leadership have been recognized with some of the nation’s highest honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and National Intelligence Meritorious Citation, alongside multiple international decorations: the King Salman Military Appreciation Medal (First Class), Kuwait Liberation Medals (from both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), and the Multinational Force and Observers Medal, among others. He has been inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame for his enduring contributions to the United States and its allies.

Abbas resides in the Washington, D.C. area, where he cherishes time with his family. His journey—from the mountains of Lebanon to the heart of American diplomacy—embodies resilience, service, and a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures in pursuit of peace and understanding.