ROBERT O. FREEDMAN

The enormously significant interconnected set of consequences of the United States’ departure from
northern Syria is a classic lesson of the complex variables underlying all policies. We are reminded that one
cannot take for granted the success or continuance of even the firmest of relationships. Israel’s internal
politics today and the debatable questions of national interest, regional dynamics, theories of global order,
and commitment to participation are in play. “U.S.-Israeli Relations After the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria”
now seems to call for serious examination.
We are very fortunate to be joined by Professor Robert Freedman, a nationally respected scholar, known for
his care and meticulousness in analyzing political circumstances. His commitment to understand the U.S.-
Israeli relationship is long standing.
Professor Freedman received his B.A. in Diplomatic History from the University of Pennsylvania and his
M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in International Relations from Columbia University. He was an Assistant
Professor of Russian History at the United States Military Academy and Associate Professor of Political
Science and Russian at Marquette University, before his extended career in Baltimore as Professor of
Political Science and later the President of the Baltimore Hebrew University, and now Visiting Professor at
Johns Hopkins University. He is the author or co-author of five books on Soviet foreign policy and fifteen
on Israel and the Middle East. He has consulted with U.S. and Israeli government agencies, served on
significant government delegations, and been a commentator innumerable times on major news outlets.
Professor Freedman is a Trustee and a great friend of this Council, and he has shared his wisdom with
members regularly over four decades. He is a supremely grounded scholar, deeply committed to his subject,
and willing to share his knowledge.
It is an honor and great pleasure once again to welcome Professor Robert O. Freedman to the Council.