Wadah Khanfar is the co-founder of the Sharq Forum and the ex-Director General of Al Jazeera. He began his career with Al Jazeera in 1997, covering significant events in South Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In 2006, he became Director General, overseeing the network’s expansion into a global media organization. Khanfar stepped down in 2011 after the Arab Awakening. He has been recognized by “Foreign Policy” as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers and by “Fast Company” as one of the Most Creative People in Business. Khanfar holds postgraduate degrees in Philosophy, African Studies, and International Politics.