Brookings: Experts - Thomas Pickering

The India-Pakistan Conundrum: Shooting for a Century

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:00:00 -0400

Event Information

June 14, 2013
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EDT

Saul/Zilkha Rooms
Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036

The rivalry between India and Pakistan has proven to be one of the world’s most intractable international conflicts. In his new book, Shooting for a Century (Brookings Press, 2013), Brookings Senior Fellow Stephen P. Cohen explores the origins and costs of India-Pakistan hostility, various explanations of why the dispute endures, past and current efforts to normalize the relationship, as well as the consequences of nuclearization. He argues that the prospects for normalization are poor, but because of the stakes and urgency, it is a process deserving of bilateral effort and greater world attention. Cohen also outlines suggestions as to how the rivalry might end, as well as the approach he believes the United States should take vis-à-vis the rivalry.

On June 14, the India Project at Brookings hosted the launch of Shooting for a Century with a discussion on present and past ties between India and Pakistan, prospects for normalization, as well as what role, if any, the U.S. should play. Brookings Distinguished Fellow Thomas Pickering and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Senior Associate Ashley J. Tellis joined Cohen for the discussion. Strobe Talbott, president of Brookings, introduced the session. Tanvi Madan, director of the India Project, moderated the discussion.

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The India-Pakistan Conundrum: Shooting for a Century

Iran’s Nuclear Program: Is a Peaceful Solution Possible?

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:00:00 -0500

Event Information

February 19, 2013
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST

Falk Auditorium
Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036

After several years of increasingly punishing sanctions against its economy, there is hope that Iran is now prepared to resume negotiations with the international community to reach a solution to the ongoing nuclear standoff. Many experts fear that Iran is quickly approaching the nuclear threshold, and that 2013 could be the last chance to avoid this outcome. If the international community cannot seize that opportunity, it may be left only with much worse alternatives.

On February 19, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a discussion to examine strategies for resolving the nuclear standoff. Panelists included former Ambassador Thomas Pickering, co-founder of The Iran Project, who presented the organization’s latest set of recommendations for addressing the nuclear issue, and Brookings Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack. Senior Fellow Tamara Cofman Wittes, director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion.

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The Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:00 -0500

Event Information

January 23, 2012
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

2011 will forever be remembered as the year revolution went viral. The world watched as citizens across the Middle East unseated dictators that had ruled for decades—grabbing the brass ring of freedom and opportunity so long denied them. For the people of Chile, it was a familiar story. In his book, The Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012) former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos provides a first-hand and timely account of Chile’s own transformation from dictatorship to one of Latin America's most stable nations and leading economies—an experience that holds key lessons for the rest of the region as it strives towards modernity.

On January 23, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings hosted the launch of The Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future featuring President Ricardo Lagos. He was joined by Brookings Distinguished Senior Fellow Thomas Pickering, former U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs and ambassador to the United Nations, and Arturo Valenzuela, former assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs, who provided an assessment of Chile in the wider context of Latin American politics. Senior Fellow Kevin Casas-Zamora, interim director of the Latin America Initiative, provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion.

After the program, panelists took audience questions.

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The Southern Tiger: Chile’s Fight for a Democratic and Prosperous Future

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Uncorrected Transcript (.pdf)

Event Materials

20120123_chile_lagos

Participants

Panelists

His Excellency Ricardo Lagos

Former President
Republic of Chile

Arturo Valenzuela

Professor of Government and Foreign Service
Georgetown University

Thomas Pickering, Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and Ambassador to the United Nations, Joins Brookings

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Thomas Pickering, former U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs and ambassador to the United Nations, the Russian Federation, India, Israel and Jordan, has joined The Brookings Institution as a distinguished senior fellow, Brookings President Strobe Talbott announced today.

Pickering, who has been a leading figure in U.S. diplomacy for more than four decades, joins the Foreign Policy program where he will participate in a wide range of events and research projects.

“We are honored that Ambassador Pickering has agreed to join Brookings and look forward to calling on his vast foreign policy expertise,” said Talbott. “I am sure that Tom’s many years of outstanding public service as a leading U.S. diplomat will further the Institution’s global agenda.”

Early in his Foreign Service career, Pickering served as special assistant to Secretaries of State William P. Rogers and Henry A. Kissinger, as well as an adviser to the U.S. delegation participating in international disarmament talks. In the 1970s and 1980s, Pickering went on to serve as U.S. ambassador to Jordan, Nigeria, El Salvador and Israel. From 1989 to 1992, Pickering served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

“Ambassador Pickering will be a tremendous asset to the Brookings Foreign Policy program,” said Martin Indyk, vice president and director for Foreign Policy. “We look forward to working with him and drawing on his extraordinary diplomatic experience and deep knowledge of the world’s current and most critical foreign policy challenges.”

In the early and mid-1990s, Pickering served as U.S. ambassador to India and then as ambassador to the Russian Federation. In 1996, Pickering retired from the State Department, after 40 years with the U.S. Foreign Service. In 1997, Pickering returned to the State Department, having been named under secretary of state for political affairs, the number three position within the State Department. He served most recently vice chair of Hills and Company, an international consulting firm.

Pickering is a graduate of Bowdoin College and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where he received a master’s degree. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Melbourne in Australia and received a second master’s degree.