Joe Willoughby, Lt. Col., USAF (retired)
- 4 hours ago
- 1 min read
Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 -
Progress Towards Security Reform Efforts
Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joe Willoughby joined the Council at the Headliners Club on February 23, 2026, to discuss Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030 – Mandates and Issues.” Joe recently returned from tours in the U.S. Embassies in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, where he served as a U.S. Government civilian Security Cooperation Officer. Alongside the expertise he developed in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East during his distinguished career, he also brings specialized knowledge of Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Willoughby provided deep insights from the perspective of a career professional who engages with the Saudi government on Informed Military Sales and travels frequently to the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has invested approximately $1.3 trillion to date to create a more sustainable economy and vibrant society. Willoughby, based on years of travel to the area, shared the transformations he has witnessed under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed recent relations with the United States.
