
Edward Walker
Former Ambassador to Israel and Egypt
Ambassador Edward Walker is the Christian Johnson Professor at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He recently resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Middle East Institute, a highly regarded Washington-based think tank on Middle East policy, but will remain associated with the organization as an Adjunct Scholar. Prior to assuming that position…
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Full Bio
Ambassador Edward Walker is the Christian Johnson Professor at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He recently resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Middle East Institute, a highly regarded Washington-based think tank on Middle East policy, but will remain associated with the organization as an Adjunct Scholar.
Prior to assuming that position in 2001, Walker worked with Collin Powell for five months in the new Bush administration as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, a position he had previously held under Madeleine Albright during the second Clinton Administration.
During that time he helped initiate and negotiate US policy toward Iraq including a complete revision to our sanctions policy. He also engaged in recalibrating our policies toward Iran and the Middle East peace process.
One of Walker’s many distinctions includes being the only US official who has served as Ambassador to both Israel and Egypt and as Assistant Secretary for the region. His diplomatic career includes successive years (1989-1999) as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, the United Nations (as Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States), the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Israel. In the course of his 35 year career, Walker worked with every Israeli Prime Minister since Golda Maier, with Presidents Sadat and Mubarak of Egypt, with Presidents Assad and Bashar Assad of Syria, with King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and with Kings Hussein and Abdullah of Jordan, among others. During his time as Ambassador in Israel, Walker worked closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon in preparation for the Wye negotiations. In Egypt he worked with Vice-President Gore and President Mubarak on a major initiative to reform the Egyptian economy. He also worked with US and Egyptian intelligence officials to counter the terrorist threat facing that country. He has personally worked with and maintains a relationship with every current Middle East leader with whom the US has relations.
Walker regularly contributes articles and commentary to major US and Middle East newspapers and publications. He appears frequently on national and foreign TV and radio, including Arabic Television news broadcasts where he offers an American perspective on issues of the day and on matters critical to building better relations between the peoples of the Middle East and the US. He regularly testifies before Congress and works with the Administration on efforts to improve our public diplomacy in the Middle East and to deal with issues in the region.
An accomplished professional speaker known for his work on both sides of the Arab-Israeli conflict, Walker offers intimate knowledge and even-handed analysis of the Middle East, its politics and its people. Walker has been a consistent advocate for tolerance and peace and a constant, strong opponent of terrorism as both inhuman and counterproductive.
He is currently a member of the Aspen Institute Middle East Strategy Group and serves on several nonprofit boards including Seeds of Peace and the George Washington University Global Advisory Board.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Hamilton College and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Boston University. He is the recipient of various US Government honors and has an honorary doctorate from Hamilton College, where he twice served as the Linowitz Professor of Middle East Studies. He has studied both Arabic and Hebrew and has a working knowledge of French.
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Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The Aftermath of Iraq and the Impact on the Region
Arab Reform Efforts: Vision Versus Reality
MidEast Peace Negotiations: Possibilities for the Future
Arab and US Media: Perceptions & Misperceptions
Public Diplomacy: Impacting the “Arab Street”
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Ambassador Edward Walker Jr.
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