Special Program:  Simon Institute To Host Virtual Discussion About Mideast War With Former UN Diplomat

Jan Eliasson, a highly respected former Swedish and United Nations diplomat, will discuss the American and Israeli attack on Iran and the growing conflict in the Middle East in a virtual conservation with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on March 13 at 11 a.m. CT.

Eliasson will offer his assessment of American policy and the conflict with Institute director John Shaw.

Eliasson was a career Swedish diplomat and served as an advisor to the prime minister and his nation's ambassador to the United Nations, ambassador to the United States, deputy foreign minister, and foreign minister.

Additionally, Eliasson served in more high-level UN positions than anyone in that organization's history.  He was a special advisor to the secretary-general, president of the UN General Assembly, special envoy to Darfur, and deputy secretary-general of the UN.

"Jan Eliasson served at the pinnacle of global diplomacy for decades," said Shaw.  "He spent many years dealing with conflict and tension in the Middle East.  He visited Iran on a number of occasions and has a nuanced understanding of its people and traditions."

"We eager to hear Mr. Eliasson's perspective on how this war will end and what its costs will be to the region and to the rules-based international order," Shaw added.

Shaw has written two books about Eliasson.  "The Ambassador: Inside the Life of a Working Diplomat"  was published in 2005 and "The Education of a Statesman: How Global Leaders Can Repair a Fragile World" was released in 2024.