Israel-Palestinian negotiations and Syrian crisis are topic at Baker Institute March 22

As part of its 20th anniversary event series, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, will host a conference on U.S. engagement on Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the crisis in Syria March 22 at the institute.

The conference will conclude with a Shell Distinguished Lecture Series keynote by U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford. It will be from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Baker Hall’s Kelly International Conference Facility.

Conference panelists will include Baker Institute fellows and scholars Yair Hirschfeld and Andrew Bowen as well as Woodrow Wilson Center Middle East Program experts Aaron David Miller and Robin Wright. Also joining the discussion will be Ambassador Fred Hof, U.S. special representative to Syria, and the editor-in-chief of Asharq Al Awsat, Adel al Toraifi.

The Baker Institute’s founding director, former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Edward Djerejian, will speak on U.S. policy and the “Arab Spring” and will moderate a panel discussion on Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Miller will give a luncheon address on lessons learned from peacemaking in Israel and Palestine. The Woodrow Wilson Center’s Middle East Program director, Haleh Esfandiari, will moderate the afternoon panel on Syria. After the conclusion of the afternoon discussion panel, Ford will present his Shell Distinguished Lecture Series address. A reception will follow.

The Baker Institute celebrates its 20th year in 2013. To mark this milestone, the institute has planned a series of special events that highlight its programs and research. Throughout the year, lectures and conferences will focus on a host of important and timely issues, including U.S. fiscal policy and immigration reform.

To view the complete event information, www.bakerinstitute.org/events/u.s.-engagement-on-israeli-palestinian-negotiations-and-the-crisis-in-syria. A live webcast will be available at http://bakerinstitute.org/webcasts.