Obaid Younossi

Photo of Obaid Younossi

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Director, RAND-Qatar Policy Institute; Senior Management Scientist
Doha Office

Education

Ph.D. and M.Phil. in public policy, The George Washington University; M.A. in international affairs, George Mason University; B.S. in mechanical engineering, University of Pittsburgh

Overview

Biography

Obaid Younossi is the director of the RAND-Qatar Policy Institute (RQPI), which serves clients in Qatar and throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. He oversees all RQPI operations and staff. From 2009 until his appointment as director on July 1, 2011, Younossi was the associate director of RQPI, leading its capacity-building programs.

Younossi's project work spans a wide range of policy areas. Recent highlights include studies to improve Qatar's school transportation system, help design a research portfolio for the Qatar Energy and Environment Institute, and develop the planning budget for the Qatar National Food Security Program. He also designed a seminar on public-policy analysis for senior staff of Qatar's Supreme Council of Family Affairs.

Prior to joining RQPI, he was the associate director of RAND Project AIR FORCE's Resource Management Program in RAND's Washington office. Younossi joined RAND in 1998 as a researcher, managing a number of studies on acquisition improvements, cost analysis, industrial base issues, and technology assessments. He also participated in several studies on the reform of the Afghan army and police force.

Younossi holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.A. in international affairs from George Mason University, and an M.Phil. and Ph.D. in public policy and public administration from The George Washington University.

Recent Projects

  • State of Qatar Reforms
  • Qatar School Transportation System
  • Energy and Environment Research Priorities
  • Qatar Food Security
  • Qatar National Research Strategy

Selected Publications

Keith Henry, Obaid Younossi et al., Qatar's School Transportation System: Supporting Safety, Efficiency, and Service Quality, RAND Corporation (MG-1136), 2012

Nidhi Kalra, Obaid Younossi et al., Recommended Research Priorities for the Qatar Foundation's Energy and Environment Research Institute, RAND (MG-1106-Qatar), 2011

Obaid Younossi et al., Ending F-22A Production: Costs and Industrial Base Implications of Alternative Options, RAND (MG-797-AF), 2010

Matt Bassford et al., Sustaining Key Skills in the UK Military Aircraft Industry, RAND Europe (MG-1023-MOD), 2010

Obaid Younossi, Peter Dahl Thruelsen, et al., The Long March: Building an Afghan National Army, RAND Corporation (MG-845), 2009

Somi Seong, Obaid Younossi et al., Titanium: Industrial Base, Price Trends, and Technology Initiatives., RAND Corporation (MG-789), 2009

Obaid Younossi and Khalid Nadiri "Afghanistan at the Crossroads," in Cheryl Benard et al., Afghanistan: State and Society, Great Power Politics, and the Way Ahead, RAND Corporation (CP-238), 2008

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: BBC, NPR

Commentary: International Herald Tribune; Providence Journal; United Press International

Commentary

Afghan Progress Spotty but Hopeful — Apr 29, 2008

  • Providence Journal

Afghanistan Needs Help — Dec 19, 2006

  • United Press International

A Brain Drain Threatens Afghanistan's Future — Feb 9, 2006

  • International Herald Tribune

Publications