AAPI at NRB Orlando 2023: Forum to Consider Progress and Potential of the Abraham Accords

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, a high-profile expert forum at the 2023 NRB International Christian Media Convention considered the progress and potential of the Abraham Accords. Panelists provided exclusive insight on how the historic agreements of peace, diplomatic relations, and normalization between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kosovo can promote free trade, energy cooperation, and American interests in the region. This Forum was sponsored by Tyndale House Publishers. 

“The historic Abraham Accords agreements launched a new chapter of opportunity for peace, prosperity, and stability in the Middle East,” said NRB President & CEO Troy A. Miller. “We are honored to be joined by such accomplished figures to discuss the Accords’ potential as part of our celebration of Israel’s 75th anniversary at NRB 2023.” 

The panel was led by Robert Greenway, President and Executive Director of the Abraham Accords Peace Institute (AAPI). Previously, Greenway served as the senior U.S. government official responsible for U.S. government policy for all of the Middle East and North Africa on the National Security Council (NSC). While Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director of the NSC’s Middle Eastern and North African Affairs Directorate, he executed prolific U.S. sanctions against Iran, was part of the team that negotiated the historic Abraham Accords, and oversaw the first-ever presidentially approved strategies for Iran, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, and Israel. 

Greenway was joined by Ambassador John Rakolta Jr. (Ret.) and Ambassador David T. Fischer (Ret.). 

Ambassador John Rakolta (Ret.) is the Chairman of Walbridge, a privately held company founded in Detroit in 1916. In May 2018, John Rakolta Jr. received a presidential appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Ambassador Rakolta is proud of this achievement on many levels, but mostly because it further reflects the principles that have always guided him in every aspect of his life, while practicing the art of soft power. John puts a premium on family. He and his wife Terry have four children. They are avid readers, travelers, and enthusiastic champions of humanitarian causes. 

Ambassador David T. Fischer (Ret.) served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco through January 2021. During his tenure, Fischer was instrumental in putting forth a number of key accomplishments, including a monumental peace accord between Morocco and Israel, for which he was awarded the National Security Medal and was presented the Wissam Alaouite of the Order of Commander by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He is the Chairman of The Suburban Collection Holdings, a privately held conglomerate of nation-wide accessories and parts distribution, logistics and fleet management throughout North America