Law, Politics, and Policy in the Greater Middle East

Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens '89

On April 9, 2015, UC Hastings College of the Law presents a panel discussion on Middle East law and policy in honor of the late Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens '89.  

The event begins at 3:30pm in the Alumni Reception Center of Mary Kay Kane Hall. It is free and open to the public.

> Please click here to register.

This dynamic discussion will feature Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns and Mr. Robert Worth. Nationally recognized for their expertise in this area, these two thought-leaders will discuss issues related to Ambassador Stevens’ career in public service including the promotion of peace, democracy, non-proliferation, and the rule of law in the region.  

Ambassador Burns is the Sultan of Oman Professor of the Practice of International Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Before joining Harvard University, Ambassador Burns was a career Foreign Service Officer. He was Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2005 to 2008; the State Department’s third-ranking official when he led negotiations on the U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Agreement; and was the lead U.S. negotiator on Iran’s nuclear program. Burns was U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2001–2005), Ambassador to Greece (1997–2001) and State Department Spokesman (1995–1997). He worked from 1990–1995 on the National Security Council at the White House where he was Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia Affairs and Special Assistant to President Clinton and Director for Soviet Affairs in the Administration of President George H.W. Bush. Burns also served in the American Consulate General in Jerusalem (1985–1987) where he coordinated U.S. economic assistance to the Palestinian people in the West Bank.

Mr. Robert Worth, a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, has reported extensively on events in the Middle East, including the Arab Spring, and conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Worth is a frequent contributor to the New York Times Magazine and has been writing about the Arab world since 2003. He reported from Baghdad for the New York Times from 2003 until 2006, and was the New York Times Beirut bureau chief from 2007 until 2011. Born in New York, he was educated at Wesleyan and Princeton universities, and currently lives in Washington D.C. He is working on a book about the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings and their legacy.

The discussion will be moderated by Professor Naomi Roht-Arriaza, a Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Hastings.  

"Convening experts to discuss foreign policy and the Middle East in the promotion of global understanding furthers the legacy of Chris's style of diplomacy and his life's work," said Tom Stevens, Ambassador Stevens's brother. "Chris loved his UC Hastings years, and he maintained his strong connection to the school throughout his life. His UC Hastings friends have become my family's friends. It's truly meaningful to all of us that we're carrying on this relationship with UC Hastings, and we are grateful to the school for holding this event."
 
"The Ambassador was performing the highest role that a lawyer is called upon to perform, public service," said UC Hastings Chancellor & Dean Frank H. Wu. "He and I communicated when he was appointed Ambassador. He had been looking forward to sharing his experiences with students when he returned."