Robert Jordan is a Diplomat in Residence and Professor of Practice at the John G. Tower Center for Political Studies at Southern Methodist University. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2003. Arriving in the wake of the September 11 attacks, he led American efforts to enlist Saudi cooperation in countering terrorist activity and adopting economic, social, and governance reforms.
He was a partner in the international law firm Baker Botts L.L.P. for many years and headed the firm’s Middle East practice based in Dubai until his retirement in 2014. He is Vice Chair of the Tower Center Board of Directors and the Board of Governors of the Middle East Institute. He is a Trustee of the Southwestern Medical Foundation, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a past president of the Dallas Bar Association. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce. He frequently comments with international media, including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg, and the New York Times. His memoir, Desert Diplomat: Inside Saudi Arabia Following 9/11, was published by Potomac Books.
Contact Information
This individual is a member of MEI's Board of Governors. Please email board-secretary@mei.edu for assistance contacting this person.
