Pentagon establishing research and essay competition honoring the late Saudi Arabian King Abdullah

The Pentagon, under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, is establishing a research and essay competition at the National Defense University honoring the late Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

“This is an important opportunity to honor the memory of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, while also fostering scholarly research on the Arab-Muslin world, and I can think of no better home for such an initiative than NDU.

“Serving in Saudi Arabia more than a decade ago, I had the opportunity to get to know King Abdullah, who was then the commander of the Saudi Arabian National Guard. In my job to train and advise his military forces, and in our relationship since, I found the king to be a man of remarkable character and courage,” Dempsey said.

“This scholarly research competition presents NDU students with a unique opportunity to focus their research and writing efforts on relevant issues at the intersection of U.S. security interests and the Arab-Muslim world,” Maj. Gen. Frederick M. Padilla, president of the National Defense University said.

"NDU supports national security by providing rigorous professional military education to develop strategic leaders who have the ability to operate and think creatively in a complex and unpredictable world. The institution’s student body is comprised of U.S. military officers, civilians and senior enlisted; officers and senior officials from allied nations and other federal agencies; and executives from industry. In addition to U.S. military and government students, NDU hosts more than 100 international and allied students, representing more than 90 countries.

"NDU is composed of the College of International Security Affairs, the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, the Information Resources Management College, the Joint Forces Staff College, and the National War College. NDU also is home to the CAPSTONE senior leader development programs and the Institute for National Strategic Studies, and partners with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, and the Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies," the university said in a press release.

"King Abdullah’s life spanned from before the birth of modern Saudi Arabia through its emergence as a critical force within the global economy and a leader among Arab and Islamic nations.  He took bold steps in advancing the Arab Peace Initiative, an endeavor that will outlive him as an enduring contribution to the search for peace in the region.

"At home, King Abdullah's vision was dedicated to the education of his people and to greater engagement with the world," President Obama said.