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Decorated American Diplomat William Burns to Speak at Buffett Institute on Feb. 25

Ambassador William J. Burns, President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and author of the national bestseller “The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for its Renewal” will visit the Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairson February 25 for an armchair discussion with Buffett executive director Annelise Riles to illustrate seminal moments from his career and how his experiences may inform debates on contemporary policy challenges.

As one of the U.S.’s preeminent diplomats of the modern era, his book, “The Back Channel”, evaluates recently declassified official correspondence to show his perspective from the ground on pivotal moments in U.S. foreign policy such as the crises in Chechnya, Qaddafi’s Libya, and post-Cold War relations with Putin’s Russia among others, demonstrating the evolution of U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy over the course of his decades-long career.

Ambassador Burns retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2014 after a thirty-three-year diplomatic career, as only the second serving career diplomat in history to become deputy secretary of state. Prior to his tenure as deputy secretary, Ambassador Burns served from 2008 to 2011 as undersecretary for political affairs. He was ambassador to Russia from 2005 to 2008, assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs from 2001 to 2005, and ambassador to Jordan from 1998 to 2001. As a result of his long-standing dedication to the Foreign Service and his excellent service, Ambassador Burns has been honored with numerous awards, including three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and several honors from the Department of State, including three Secretary’s Distinguished Service Awards and two Distinguished Honor Awards.

The event on February 25 will provide an opportunity for students and faculty to ask questions concerning foreign affairs and his experience serving in the Foreign Service. The event will be held from 12 to 1:15 p.m. at Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs on the Evanston campus, located in 1800 Sherman, Suite 3000, Room 3029 –lunch will be provided.

First 30 attendees receive a complimentary autographed copy of "The Back Channel".