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Early Life

Mukhlis was born in Fairfax, Virginia in 1982, and spent most of his childhood in the Middle East due to the nature of his parents’ careers. His father (Professor Raad Mukhlis, M.D.) is a well-recognized physician, who has served in the public and private health sectors, higher education and as a professor and medical consultant in various capacities in the Middle East and Europe, in addition to his work in the international medical and humanitarian aid fields. Mukhlis’s mother is an attorney and a member of the Iraqi and the Jordanian bar associations, specialized in the fields of social affairs and human rights. 
 
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Family & Politics

Mukhlis's childhood coincided with numerous political and social events in the Middle East and beyond. Growing up in the war-torn Iraq, he experienced firsthand the impact of prolonged conflict, with nearly every family around him affected by the ongoing wars. This environment profoundly influenced Mukhlis’s character and shaped his political perspectives on the region's unstable political climate, geopolitical challenges, and persistent conflicts.

He witnessed the successive wars in Iraq and the gradual disintegration of the nation, enduring the day-to-day tragedies and losses that Iraqi society faced during the economic sanctions imposed after the Gulf War, lasting until 2003 when the Iraqi regime fell. Mukhlis grew up observing key historical moments, including the intense Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, the invasion of Iraq, and the devastating consequences of sectarian conflict and terrorism that plagued the country post-2003.

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Mukhlis’s family has been engaged in Middle Eastern politics for generations. His grandfather, Mawlood Mukhlis, was a decorated military officer and respected politician who played a pivotal role in the Arab Revolt of 1916 against the Ottoman Empire. He contributed to the liberation and establishment of various governments in the region, including the first transitional government in Syria and the Kingdom of Iraq in 1920. In Iraq, he served in the Senate, was elected vice-president of the Iraqi Senate in 1936, and held the position of speaker of the Council of Representatives multiple times.

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Similar to many prominent political families, the Mukhlis family acknowledged the concerning future of the region in light of ongoing conflicts. They speerheaded and participated in several coup attempts aimed at effecting regime change in Iraq and championed democracy, civil rights, and civil liberties while advocating for Iraq to play a significant role in fostering regional peace.

Tragically, these endeavors were unsuccessful, leading to the execution of several family members and relatives by the Iraqi regime in the early and mid 1990s.

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Having faced numerous traumatic experiences and perilous situations, the Mukhlis family ultimately escaped the "Republic of Fear" and settled in Jordan for several years.

Their historical connection to Jordanian society and the royal family dates back to the early days of the Arab revolt in 1916, as Mukhlis's grandfather was a prominent figure in the revolution and a significant contributor to the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan.

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Following the regime change in 2003, Mukhlis returned to Iraq, where he served as a Political Affairs Adviser, providing operational support to the U.S. government during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He played a role in various missions to promote democracy, reconciliation programs, and spearheaded efforts to establish the National Dialogue Program for Civilizations, Religions, and Minority Rights. Additionally, Mukhlis has been actively engaged in the peace process in the Middle East, denouncing anti-Semitism and combating radical ideologies.

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