American Diplomacy: Leaders at Home and Abroad

Diplomacy is one of the most important tools that an American president can wield. How each president has chosen to practice diplomacy (or not) has shaped his legacy, for good or ill.  In recognition of the powerful role of diplomacy in presidential history - particularly during the administration of George W. Bush - the Center for Presidential History aims to collect the memories, stories, and perspectives of world leaders, both at home and abroad.  This collection will include the voices of American ambassadors around the world, as well as representatives of foreign governments with whom the United States had dealings during the George W. Bush administration.

Interviewees:

  • Robert Jordan (U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, 2001-2003)
  • Álvaro Uribe (President of Columbia, 2002-2010)

Robert Jordan

United States Ambassador to
Saudi Arabia (2001 - 2003)

A lawyer by training, Robert Jordan accepted the post of ambassador to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States. He served in that post from October 2001 to October 2003. He is currently Diplomat in Residence and Adjunct Professor of Political Science in the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies at Southern Methodist University.

Ambassador Jordan's memoir, Desert Diplomat: Inside Saudi Arabia Following 9/11, was published by Potomac Books in July 2015

Interview with
Ambassador Robert Jordan

 
In an interview led by Dr. LaiYee Leong, Ambassador Robert Jordan spoke about his time serving under the George W. Bush administration on April 3 and April 17, 2015.

The full transcription of this interview will be available shortly.