
Vali Nasr
Academic and Author Specializing in the Middle East and Islamic World, Former Senior Advisor to US Representative to Afghanistan
Featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal; quoted by Senator John Kerry on the floor of the U.S. Senate; and described as a national resource by Richard Haass, the President of the Council on Foreign Relations, Vali Nasr is one of Americas leading experts on globalization, foreign relations, the Middle East and…
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Full Bio
Featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal; quoted by Senator John Kerry on the floor of the U.S. Senate; and described as a national resource by Richard Haass, the President of the Council on Foreign Relations, Vali Nasr is one of Americas leading experts on globalization, foreign relations, the Middle East and the Islamic world. Internationally renowned, he has influenced critical public debates and policy decisions on both sides of the Atlantic, and advised presidents, kings, prime ministers, and business leaders.
Nasr served as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2009 to 2011. He is currently Professor of International Politics at the world-renowned Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University, Senior Advisor at Kissinger Associates, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, and a columnist for Bloomberg View. He has previously served as an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Senior Fellow at the Belfar Center of the Kennedy school of Government at Harvard University.
Nasr is the author of The Rise of Islamic Capitalism: Why the New Muslim Middle Class is Key to Defeating Extremism; The Shia Revival: How Conflicts Within Islam Will Shape the Future; and co-author of Democracy in Iran: History and the Quest for Liberty; as well as numerous articles in academic journals and encyclopedias. His works have been translated into Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Italian, Turkish, Persian, Chinese, Hindi, and Urdu. He is the recipient of numerous awards, and was a Carnegie Scholar for 2006.
Nasr has written for the New York Times, Foreign Affairs, The New Republic, Newsweek, Time, Christian Science Monitor, Foreign Policy, Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, and has provided frequent expert commentary to CNN, BBC, National Public Radio, Public Radio International, Newshour with Jim Lehrer, Frontline, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, and has been a guest on the Charlie Rose Show, GPS with Fareed Zakaria, Meet the Press, Larry King Live, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, and Real Time with Bill Maher. His interviews have appeared in leading media outlets in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
At the podium, Nasr masterfully articulates the complex economic, social, religious and cultural issues affecting change and growth in the Middle East. One of the few Washington insiders with first-hand knowledge of the economic obstacles facing the Middle East, Nasr discusses how one of the fastest growing populations in the world is impacting global economics, from Dubai to domestic business.
Nasr also speaks on globalization, emerging markets and the rise of China and Latin America in the global economy. A renowned advisor to policy-makers and business leaders alike, Nasr outlines where China is heading and what unforeseen obstacles may influence its path. As a pivotal player on the front lines of U.S. international relations, Nasrs up-to-the minute insights explore the fascinating intersection of politics, economics and diplomacy.
Born in Tehran, Nasr now resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife and three children.
Testimonials
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
Why is the Middle East in Crisis and Why Does it Matter to the U.S. and Global Economy?
Professor Vali Nasr is one of America’s leading minds on global affairs and the Middle East. A cutting-edge thinker and stunningly accurate forecaster, Nasr offers brilliant insights into the U.S. and global economic markets and geopolitical trends, making him a must-see speaker for business leaders in any field looking to stay ahead of the curve. A former U.S. State Department advisor for Afghanistan and Pakistan, he has served as an advisor to Richard Holbrook and Hillary Clinton and has accurately predicted many of the policy initiatives and internal workings of the Obama Administration. A renowned scholar on American Foreign Policy, International Relations, the Islamic Region, Nation Building and Democratization, Nasr’s expertise gives business leaders the tools they need to become increasingly relevant and successful in today’s competitive world markets.
The Growing Role of Sectarianism in Muslim Politics
Rise of Turkish President Erdogan and AKP
World Leaders View White House With ‘Shock’ And ‘Worry’
Growing Up in Iran
Political Islam & Pakistan
Conversations with History
Videos
Vali R. Nasr: Opportunities and Uncertainties in the Middle East
Vali Nasr Speaker - PDA Speakers
Books
News
Testimonials
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