Diplomacy in Crisis: The Case of Turkey
The U.S. Department of State uses a direct vision statement: “On behalf of the American people, we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.”
Our diplomats are facing many obstacles: there are historic cuts to international relations and development spending, which is already 19 times smaller than the defense budget. Only one of 28 assistant secretary-rank positions is currently filled by a Foreign Service Officer, and one-fifth of ambassadorships sit vacant.
With international situations threatening global stability in Turkey, Syria, and Kurdistan, the United States needs a robust and unified diplomatic branch. Following a sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces from northeastern Syria, Turkey has launched a military operation in the region against Syrian Kurdish fighters, who have helped the United States battle the Islamic State.
Having served as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service, and President of the international development organization IREX, Ambassador Pearson will share his insight on the future of American diplomacy and U.S.-Turkey relations.
Date:
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Location:
Hilton Charlotte Center City
222 E. Third St.
Charlotte, NC 28202 – Directions
Check-In, Networking and VIP Reception:
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch, Presentation, and Q&A:
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Cost:
$35* WACC student/educator/TMS member
*You must be an individual WACC educator/student/TMS member to qualify for the $35 rate
$45 WACC Member Rate
$60 Non-Member Rate
- Register online
- Credit card payments (non-PayPal transactions): Please call 704-687-7762 for payment processing over the phone
- Check payments: Please make your check payable to “World Affairs Council of Charlotte” and mail it to the following address:
World Affairs Council of Charlotte
UNC Charlotte – CHHS 227
9201 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28223
All reservation cancellations must be completed at least 3 business days prior to an event for a full refund. Pease let us know in advance if you have dietary restrictions so that we can make the appropriate accommodations.
Biography
Ambassador (ret.) W. Robert Pearson is a non-resident scholar at The Middle East Institute and a retired professional Foreign Service Officer. He was ambassador to Turkey 2000 to 2003. He was Director General of the United States Foreign Service from 2003 to 2006, earning two national awards for his work. Ambassador Pearson is past president of IREX, an international development NGO based in Washington. He spearheaded IREX’s expansion to reach more than 125 countries worldwide. Currently, he is president of American Diplomacy Publishers, a digital magazine supported by UNC. His areas of interest include Turkey, the European Union, Russia, the Middle East, and Central and East Asia, including China, in addition to the United States.
He has published numerous articles, blogs and opinion pieces on diplomacy, foreign policy, Turkey, NGOs, and development. He has appeared on BBC, CNBC, MSNBC, NPR, Al-Jazeera, I24 TV, TNT Global and other networks. He is a frequent speaker on foreign affairs issues concerning the role of diplomacy in American engagement abroad.
He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia School of Law and speaks French, Chinese and Turkish. His wife Margaret is also a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer. The Pearsons have one son, Matthew, married to Ashley, and two grandchildren, who live in Charlotte, NC.