Dec 18, 2019

The United Arab Emirates’ mission to the United Nations has brought on its second former Samantha Power aide as the country faces pressure over alleged human rights abuses in Libya and Yemen.

Max Gleischman, a former director of communications for President Barack Obama’s UN ambassador, is listed as the account lead on a newly disclosed $400,000 contract with the Glover Park Group. The contract was signed Nov. 19 and runs for four months.

The communications and strategic counsel work “may include specific assignments with regard to representatives of media organizations and/or other activities of interest to the foreign principal, including global security, development assistance and other related issues,” according to a Justice Department filing. The firm will also provide “website development services” for the mission.

Gleischman did not respond to a request for comment.

The UAE previously retained the services of another ex-Power aide, communications director Hagar Chemali, from September 2016 until September 2018, as the country faced increasing criticism over its role in fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Leaked emails published by The Intercept between Chemali and UAE Ambassador Youssef al-Otaiba show that Chemali sought to discredit “without UAE fingerprints” a critical nongovernmental organization — the Arabian Rights Watch Association — as a Houthi front.