The speaker will be Ambassador (ret.) David Hale, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Lebanon, and Jordan. Currently a Distinguished Global Fellow with the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., Hale will present:

What are the most pressing foreign policy challenges facing the new U.S. administration?  Competition from China?  Russia’s territorial threats to Europe?  Iran’s threats to the Middle East and its sponsorship of the “axis of resistance”?  Come hear from a foreign policy expert and former high-ranking U.S. Government official on the likely top international priorities.  F

ormer Under Secretary of State Ambassador (ret.) David Hale will outline these challenges and the lessons he has learned from his past service, including those involving the Middle East, particularly Iran, our relations with China and Russia, and global power competition in South Asia.   He will also address the broader issue of how the U.S. competes globally in a partisan environment within the United States.  In addition to his position as the former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, David Hale served as the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Lebanon and Jordan.

Ambassador (ret.) David Hale is a Distinguished Global Fellow with the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, after a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Foreign Service, including the rank of Career Ambassador (most senior rank).  Ambassador Hale was Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2018-2021.  Previously, he was the Ambassador to Pakistan (2015-2018), Ambassador to Lebanon (2013-2015), Special Envoy for Middle East Peace (2011-2013), Deputy Special Envoy (2009-2011), and Ambassador to Jordan (2005-2008).  Earlier, he had multiple tours in Jordan and Lebanon and served in Tunisia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.

In Washington, Ambassador Hale was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israel, Egypt and the Levant (2008-2009) and Director for Israel-Palestinian Affairs (2001-2003).  He held several staff posts, including Executive Assistant to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.   Ambassador Hale joined the Foreign Service in 1984.  He is a recipient of one Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Service and two of Meritorious Service, and several Department Superior and Meritorious Honor awards. 

Ambassador Hale speaks Arabic, is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and is a native of New Jersey.