The rise of the East and the response of the West
James P. Rubin, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs to Bill Clinton, lead a discussion on U.S. Foreign policy under President Obama.
BackA growing concern in the Western media and diplomatic circles is that the Obama administration is looking less towards Europe to initiate diplomatic action, and is focusing more on the Middle and Far East.
On Tuesday 22 June, James Rubin, former U.S Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs to Bill Clinton, came to the Institute for Government to address this concern.
In his speech, Mr Rubin claimed that U.S foreign policy had changed its direction, but that this change was the result of circumstance rather than a deliberate change in foreign policy.
He offered a number of reasons to support his view and then facilitated a discussion with the audience.
About James P. Rubin
James P. Rubin is the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs to Bill Clinton.
In this position he conducted daily on-camera briefings for the State Department press corps and represented the administration in print, radio, and television interviews regarding U.S. diplomatic, foreign economics and national security policies.
He is currently an associate Professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and an informal foreign policy advisor to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama.
