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Ambassador Dennis Ross to speak on Middle East challenges

Mar 20, 2017

With a new administration in Washington raising questions about the future of U.S. Middle East policy, expect an Indiana University Bloomington lecture by Ambassador Dennis Ross to provide insight on what to expect.

Ross, a key figure in developing, implementing and analyzing U.S. policies in the Middle East for nearly three decades, will speak on “U.S. Foreign Policy: Challenge in the Middle East,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hodge Hall Room 2075. The lecture is free and open to the public. Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie will introduce Ross and offer brief remarks.

“We are honored that Ambassador Dennis Ross will be speaking at Indiana University and grateful to all the sponsors who have joined with us in making this evening possible,” said Rabbi Sue Laikin Silberberg, executive director of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, which is hosting the event.

“Ambassador Ross has a most distinguished career, and the depth of his skill, expertise and experience is indicated by the fact that he has served in both Democratic and Republican administrations,” she said. “It is not only a rare opportunity for students to hear someone of Ambassador Ross’ caliber and stature, but also an honor to be able to welcome to our campus someone with his depth of knowledge, passion and understanding of the Middle East peace process.”

Ross served as a key foreign policy aide for presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He worked closely with secretaries of state James Baker, Warren Christopher and Madeleine Albright and was Clinton’s Middle East coordinator and director of the State Department’s policy and planning staff in the first Bush administration. His most recent government service included two years as special assistant to President Barack Obama and one year as special adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He is a distinguished fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, which provides research and policy expertise aimed at promoting peace and security in the Middle East.

In addition to his years in diplomacy, Ross has published extensively on the former Soviet Union, arms control and the greater Middle East. He is the author of several books, the most recent of which is “Doomed to Succeed: The U.S.-Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama.”

Sponsoring organizations, in addition to the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, include Hillel International, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Israel Education Center and the Israel on Campus Coalition. Co-sponsors include the Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program, the Center for the Study of the Middle East, the School of Global and International Studies and Students Supporting Israel.

Media Contact

IU Newsroom

Steve Hinnefeld

News & Media Specialist, IU Bloomington

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