The Common Good is thrilled to host a conference call with former Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford. Mr. Ford will be briefing TCG members on the current status of American involvement in the Syria conflict and the outlook for American allies. Mr. Ford has a decorated history of diplomacy in the Middle East. In 2012, he was rewarded by the John F. Kennedy library in Boston with the annual Profile in Courage Award for his defense of human rights in Syria.
The Syria conflict has seen quite the shift in recent weeks following the decision of NATO member Turkey to open up a military campaign in Northern Syria. Simultaneously, the Trump administration has looked to maintain campaign promises that seek to remove American troops stationed in Syria. The political repercussions of these decisions have proven to be crucial for US allies, such as the pro-democratic Kurds, who suddenly lack a US military backing from their political rival Turkey in Syria’s north.
Mr. Ford’s expertise on the issue will allow members to gain key insight into the geopolitical implications for American allies in the region and the way in which Turkish involvement will dictate American Foreign Policy going forward. The event will take place on Thursday, October 17th, 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
About:
Robert Ford finished a thirty year career with the U.S. Department of State in April 2014. He was the U.S. Ambassador to Syria from 2011-2014, receiving the Profile in Courage award in 2012 from the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston for his human rights work, and a Presidential Honor award in 2012 for his stewardship of the American Embassy in Damascus during a crisis period. He was also presented with the Distinguished Service award, the State Department’s highest award, by Secretary of State John Kerry in March 2014. Ford was the U.S. Ambassador in Algeria 2006-2008 and also served five years in Iraq helping the Iraqis establish their permanent government through three rounds of elections.
He is now a scholar at the Middle East Institute where he writes and speaks about Iraq, Syria and North Africa. He is also a fellow at Yale University Jackson Institute where he teaches about Arab politics and diplomacy.
Ambassador Ford spoke at The Common Good in 2017: Syrian Civil War: End in Sight? : Ambassador Robert Ford.
Twitter: @fordrs58
