Daniel Kurtzer

EXCLUSIVE
  • Critical Voice on the Middle East, Israel & Egypt
  • United States Ambassador to Israel (2001-2005)
  • United States Ambassador to Egypt (1997-2001)
  • Professor of Middle East Policy, Princeton University

Having served in numerous positions of international influence, Daniel Kurtzer is a uniquely qualified speaker with a distinct perspective on the geopolitical realties and culture of one of the world's most troubled regions. During a 29-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service (including U.S. Ambassador to Israel and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt) he was instrumental in formulating and executing U.S. policy toward the Middle East peace process. After retiring from the State Department, he served as a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board, and as an advisor to the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.

He is the co-author of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East; co-author of The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011; and editor of Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

 



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Past Hosts Include:
  • Sutton Place Synagogue
  • JUF Chicago
  • United Jewish Federation Of Northeastern New York
  • New Israel Fund
  • Michigan State University Hillel
  • Beth Tzedec Synagogue
  • JNF of Hamilton, Ontario
  • Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Dallas
Rave Reviews About Daniel Kurtzer as a Speaker
All I can tell you is that this man is a gem. For Israel Independence Day, our audience consisted of a wide-range of people: Democrats, Republicans, left, right and center, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox - including members of our interfaith community. He is articulate, extremely knowledgeable, gets his points across most coherently, was totally accepted by everyone and was a true "mensch".He also has a good sense of humor - which does not hurt. He spoke without a note, was "up" on all aspects of world affairs - as we had a question and answer period and there were questions about the "world" situation which he did not cover in his speech and the facts just came rolling off his tongue. As you know, my standards are very high. I can only tell you that Ambassador Kurtzer is tops on the list and will be an asset in any community or academic setting.

Keynote - Our World Today | JBS [56:04] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Daniel Kurtzer
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The Middle East: Ongoing Efforts Towards Peace

Drawing from his experiences as a prominent United States diplomat, Ambassador Kurtzer expounds on how policy in the Middle East ultimately influences our everyday lives and the global community, providing an unparalleled perspective on the most up-to-date developments in this troubled region. His i ...

Drawing from his experiences as a prominent United States diplomat, Ambassador Kurtzer expounds on how policy in the Middle East ultimately influences our everyday lives and the global community, providing an unparalleled perspective on the most up-to-date developments in this troubled region. His insightful analysis of the obstacles ahead will leave audiences with an insider's perspective of their world and on the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

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<p>Daniel Kurtzer is a leading voice on Middle East foreign policy</p>

Daniel Kurtzer is a leading voice on Middle East foreign policy

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel (2001-05) and Egypt (1997-2001), DANIEL KURTZER is in-demand for his sharp analysis on foreign relations and conflict in the Middle East. Sought-out for in-depth interviews on NPR and the Woodrow Wilson School's “Politics and Polls” Podcast, Kurtzer offers shrewd insights on the current administration’s approach to relations with Israel, highlighting shifts in strategy and approach from one administration to the next, and what the impacts are. He sheds illuminating light on the prospect for peace agreements in the Middle East, and is the author of three books on the subject: The Peace Puzzle, Pathways to Peace, and Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace. A current Professor in Middle Eastern Policy Studies at Princeton University, Kurtzer is heralded for his frank and realistic analysis on the prospects for peace, often drawing praise on Twitter.  

Listen to Daniel Kurtzer’s thought-provoking podcast for Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs >>

Read DANIEL KURTZER's latest articles in Foreign Affairs Magazine.

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Biography

Daniel C. Kurtzer is the S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. During a 29-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Kurtzer served as the United States Ambassador to Israel and as the United States Ambassador to Egypt. He was also a speechwriter and member of the Secretary of State George P. Shultz’s Policy Planning Staff; and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Research.

Kurtzer was a member of the Middle East peace team for Secretary of State James A. Baker III and Secretary of State Warren Christopher. He played an instrumental role in formulating and executing American policy, in particular helping to bring about the Madrid peace conference. Following that breakthrough, Kurtzer was named as the coordinator of the multilateral peace talks; served as the U.S. representative to the bilateral talks between Israel and the Palestinians and between Israel and Syria; and chaired the U.S. delegation to the multilateral refugee negotiations.

Kurtzer is the co-author of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East; co-author of The Peace Puzzle: America’s Quest for Arab-Israeli Peace, 1989-2011; and editor of Pathways to Peace: America and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. After retiring from the State Department, he served as a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board, and as an advisor to the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. In 2007, he was named the first Commissioner of the professional Israel Baseball League.

Ambassador Kurtzer received his Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University.