Rediscovering Diplomacy: America's Reputation in the Middle East
Amb. Chas. W. Freeman, Jr. on "Middle East Interviews"

Amb. Chas Freeman, President of the Middle East Policy Council, recently talked with radio talk show host Todd Feinburg about the standing of the United States among countries of the Middle East explaining what he sees as clear evidence the United States has become marginalized in the region. Citing critical developments in the region that have gone forward without American participation Freeman describes how the United States' influence in the Middle East has diminished.

Freeman's conversation with Feinburg touched on what would need to be done to reverse the damage that has been done but, based on the lack of ideas being put forward by the presidential candidates, he was not optimistic that the next Administration were prepared to reverse the situation.

The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, according to Freeman, a former Ambassador to the Kingdom, has also suffered, a result of the vilification of the country in America and damage to the personal ties caused by reduced access between the countries. The damaged relationship, said Freeman, is among reasons for increased contacts and trade between Saudi Arabia and other countries from Europe and Asia.

Listen to the Interview:
Middle East Interviews Blog - Chas Freeman

American Interests, Policies, and Results in the Middle East: Energy, Israel, Access, and the Containment of Muslim Rage - Amb. Chas. W. Freeman, Jr. - SUSRIS IOI - Feb 26, 2008

Impressions of Arabia, Autumn 2007 - Chas W. Freeman, Jr. - SUSRIS IOI - Nov 26, 2007

Can American Leadership Be Restored? - Chas W. Freeman, Jr. - SUSRIS IOI - May 31, 2007

National Security in the Age of Terrorism - Chas W. Freeman, Jr. - SUSRIS IOI - Jan 11, 2007

The GCC and the Management of Policy Consequences - Chas W Freeman, Jr. - SUSRIS IOI - Nov. 3, 2006

“American-GCC Relations: An Assessment of Reforms, Elections, Challenges and the Prospects for Regional Peace and Stability” - Chas W. Freeman, Jr., Arab-US Policymakers Conference - Oct. 31, 2006 [Audio/Text]

Building Understanding: The Role of the MEPC - A Conversation with Chas W. Freeman, Jr. - SUSRIS Interview - Sep 20, 2006

Strengthening the Relationship: Whose Job? A Conversation with Chas W. Freeman, Jr. - SUSRIS Interview - Aug 14, 2006

The Arabs Take a Chinese Wife: Sino-Arab Relations in the Decade to Come - Chas W. Freeman, Jr.- SUSRIS IOI - Jun 1, 2006

How Can the U.S. Re-Open for Business to the Arab World? - MEPC Capitol Hill Forum - Part 1 - Ambassador Chas Freeman - SUSRIS IOI - Apr 14, 2006

Defining Interests and a Changing Relationship - Ambassador Chas Freeman Interview - Part I - SUSRIS Interview Series - Oct. 29, 2004

U.S.-Saudi Relations: The Path Ahead - Ambassador Chas Freeman Interview - Part II - SUSRIS Interview Series - Oct. 30, 2004

The Way Forward: A Diplomat's Perspective - Remarks by Ambassador Chas W. Freeman, Jr. - 13th Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference -Washington, DC - September 13, 2004

ABOUT AMB CHAS W. FREEMAN, JR.
Ambassador Chas. W. Freeman, Jr. succeeded Senator George McGovern as President of the Middle East Policy Council on December 1, 1997. Ambassador Freeman was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs from 1993-94, earning the highest public service awards of the Department of Defense for his roles in designing a NATO-centered post-Cold War European security system and in reestablishing defense and military relations with China. He served as U. S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm).

Ambassador Freeman Bio 

The Middle East Policy Council

The MEPC, since its formation in 1981, has provided political analysis of issues involving the greater Middle East. Through its programs, publications and Web site, the Council strives to ensure that a full range of U.S. interests and views are considered by policy makers. We challenge the conventional wisdom, ask the difficult questions, encourage a wide spectrum of views, provide forums to stimulate thinking. The Council strives to fulfill these objectives through three major activities:

• Middle East Policy - a quarterly journal of political, economic and social analysis.

• A Capitol Hill Conference Series - forums for members of Congress, their staffs, federal government officials, foreign policy experts and the media.

• Workshops for high school teachers - daylong training sessions to build a fact-based foundation for educating America's youth about the Arab world and Islam.

http://www.mepc.org/main/main.asp