MEMRI adds William Barr to its board

The Middle East Media Research Institute named former U.S. Attorney General William Barr to its Board of Directors on Oct. 8, 2026. The appointment brings a twice-serving attorney general and former senior Justice Department official into a group MEMRI says is designed to strengthen its policy and analysis work.

Why it matters: - MEMRI is adding a former U.S. attorney general with deep Justice Department, White House and national security experience to its leadership. - The move could bolster the institute’s credibility with policymakers, media and legal audiences. - Barr is one of only two people in U.S. history to serve twice as attorney general.

What happened: - The Middle East Media Research Institute said on Oct. 8, 2026, that William Barr has joined its Board of Directors. - Barr served as the 77th attorney general under President George H. W. Bush from 1991 to 1993. - Barr later served as the 85th attorney general under President Donald Trump from 2019 to 2020. - MEMRI framed the appointment as a notable addition to its board of directors and board of advisors network.

The details: - Barr previously served as assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel from 1989 to 1990. - He then served as deputy attorney general from 1990 to 1991 before becoming attorney general. - While at the Justice Department, Barr oversaw new enforcement policies in financial institutions, civil rights and antitrust merger guidelines. - Barr earned an A.B. and M.A. from Columbia University in government and Chinese studies. - He served in the CIA from 1973 to 1977 while attending law school. - Barr received his J.D. with highest honors from George Washington University Law School in 1977. - After clerking for Judge Malcolm Wilkey on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Barr joined Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge in Washington as an associate. - Barr later worked on the White House domestic policy staff under President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1983. - He returned to the firm and became a partner in 1985. - MEMRI board chairman Oliver "Buck" Revell said Barr’s background, knowledge and experience will make a significant contribution to MEMRI and its mission. - Former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, also a MEMRI board member, said Barr’s experience, judgment and understanding of public issues will help guide MEMRI and strengthen the authority of its work. - MEMRI said its board of directors and board of advisors include figures from government, media, law and academia, including former prime ministers, attorneys general, justice ministers, legal and counterterrorism experts, senior military officers and diplomats. - MEMRI said its advisory members have served presidents from Jimmy Carter through Joe Biden. - MEMRI said its board and advisors include recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. - MEMRI describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in February 1998. - The institute says it translates Arabic, Farsi, Urdu-Pashtu, Dari, Turkish, Russian and other media and provides analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural and religious trends. - MEMRI said it was founded to inform debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East. - MEMRI listed its website, MEMRI TV, JTTM, CJL, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook among its public channels.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals MEMRI’s effort to lean on high-profile legal and national security credentials as it presents its work to a broader audience. - Barr’s background in government, intelligence and law fits MEMRI’s focus on Middle East and South Asia analysis. - The board addition also reinforces MEMRI’s bipartisan, establishment-oriented positioning.

What's next: - Barr is expected to take part in MEMRI’s board work alongside other senior figures from government and academia. - MEMRI will likely continue using its board roster as a signal of institutional reach and authority.

The bottom line: - MEMRI is betting that Barr’s name recognition and experience will strengthen its standing in policy and media circles.