Last updated on: 9/21/2015 | Author: ProCon.org

Daniel C. Kurtzer, PhD Biography

Title:
Lecturer and S. Daniel Abraham Professor in Middle Eastern Policy Studies at Princeton University and former US Ambassador to Egypt and Israel
Position:
Pro to the question "Is a Two-State Solution (Israel and Palestine) an Acceptable Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?"
Reasoning:

“[B]oth the Israelis and Palestinians and the United States will need political courage and determination to maintain focus on achieving the compromises that would underpin a two-state solution.”

Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East, 2008
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with PhDs or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Lecturer and S. Daniel Abraham Professor in Middle Eastern Policy Studies, Princeton University, 2006-present
  • Commissioner, Israel Baseball League, 2007
  • Career Minister, US Foreign Service, 1979-2005
  • Ambassador to Israel, US Department of State, 2001-2005
  • Ambassador to Egypt, US Department of State, 1997-2001
  • US Representative, Multilateral Refugee Working Group, Madrid Peace Conference, 1991
  • Crafted the Middle East peace initiative of Secretary of State George P. Shultz, 1988
  • Former advisor, Iraq Study Group
  • Former board member, American University in Cairo
  • Former member, New Jersey-Israel Commission
  • Former Dean, Yeshiva College
Education:
  • PhD, Columbia University
Other:
  • Recipient, President’s Distinguished Service Award
  • Recipient, Department of State Distinguished Service Award
  • Recipient, National Intelligence Community’s Award for Achievement
  • Recipient, Director General of the Foreign Service Award for Political Reporting