JFK’s wisdom for graduates
In this season of commencement addresses, Future of Diplomacy Project Director Nicholas Burns reflects on what he believes to be the most important speech by an American president in a half a century: President John F. Kennedy's 1963 commencement address at American University. Burns praises that speech, delivered 50 years ago next month, "for its moral courage and strong sense of idealism and hope," and encourages us to hold to those values still today.
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Sharon Wilke
May 1, 2013
Author and journalist Christopher de Bellaigue shares insights into Iranian politics, society
In an open-ended discussion at the Harvard Kennedy School, de Bellaigue—who is also the author of two books on Iranian history—offered insights into the coup against Muhammad Mossadegh and the role of history in shaping both the modern Iranian state and its outlook on relations with the West.
May 1, 2013
"Obama's leadership challenge on Syria"
GlobalPost
By Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School
The US can no longer afford to stay on the sidelines in Syria, writes Professor Burns in this week's GlobalPost piece. The stakes and consequences are just too high to do otherwise.
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
April 25, 2013
"Challenges, both here and abroad"
Boston Globe
By Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School
Reflecting on the events of last week in Boston and surrounding area, Professor Burns believes that the wisest strategy will be to stay true to the United States' greatest strength -- our democratic principles.
Sharon Wilke
April 20, 2013
Former Bush NSA Stephen Hadley Discusses US Options on Iran
In an off-the-record discussion hosted by the Future of Diplomacy Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Hadley outlined his own perspectives on the most likely avenues for an Iran without nuclear weapons.
April 15, 2013
Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake Addresses the Role of US Support for Indian Leadership
In an address at the Future of Diplomacy Project, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake stressed the growing partnership between the United States and India in both economic and security matters.
Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
April 11, 2013
"End war, but don’t abandon Afghanistan"
Boston Globe
By Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School
Professor Burns shares his key takeaways from the "Future of Afghanistan" conference he co-hosted on April 4-5 at Harvard. Like most wars, this will not be won on the battlefield; rather, it will be brought to an end in a negotiated solution between the Afghan government and the Taliban. He reminds us that the U.S. government has a basic responsibility, moral as well as political, to stay involved as the majority of Afghans wish, but that we should seek greater political and financial support from Afghanistan’s powerful neighbors — Russia, China, India, and Iran.
Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
April 5, 2013
A path out of violence
Harvard Gazette
Ambassador Salahuddin Rabbani, chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council, and Ambassador James Warlick, Deputy US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, joins Professor Nicholas Burns for a conversation on Afghanistan's upcoming political transition.
Sharon Wilke
February 14, 2013
The Potential for Brazil's Growing Regional and Global Diplomatic Outreach
Speaking on February 11th, 2013, Brazilian Minister of External Relations Antonio de Aguiar Patriota argued that Brazil is at a unique period in the evolution of the South American nation’s foreign policy. “For the first time in Brazil’s history,” he said, “Brazil can engage not only in relations, but in global outreach.”
