The New Middle East Crisis What's Next for U.S. Diplomacy?
As tensions with Iran continue to reshape the global landscape, the International Relations Council welcomes Ambassador Ronald Neumann for a timely and wide-ranging conversation on war, diplomacy, and America’s place in the world. Drawing on decades of experience as a U.S. ambassador and foreign policy leader, Ambassador Neumann will analyze the realities of the ongoing conflict with Iran, the challenges facing the State Department, and what American diplomacy looks like in 2026. When military crises, political polarization, and global instability are testing U.S. leadership, this discussion will examine whether America still has the diplomatic tools and institutional strength to navigate an increasingly turbulent world.
Registration
5:30 - 6 pm
Program
6 - 7:15 pm
Location
Outreach International
112 W 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
Sponsorship
Supporting Sponsor: $500
Sustaining Sponsor: $1,000
Presenting Sponsor: $2,000
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Speaker
Formerly a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ronald E. Neumann served three times as Ambassador; to Algeria, Bahrain and finally to Afghanistan from July 2005 to April 2007. Before Afghanistan, Mr. Neumann, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Baghdad from February 2004 with the Coalition Provisional Authority and then as Embassy Baghdad’s liaison with the Multinational Command, where he was deeply involved in coordinating the political part of military actions.
Prior to working in Iraq, he was Ambassador in Manama, Bahrain (2001-2004), Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near East Affairs (1997-2000) with responsibility for North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and Ambassador to Algeria (1994 to 1997). He was Director of the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs (Iran and Iraq; 1991 to 1994). Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and in Sanaa in Yemen, Principal Officer in Tabriz, Iran and Economic/Commercial Officer in Dakar, Senegal. His previous Washington assignments include service as Jordan Desk officer, Staff Assistant in the Middle East (NEA) Bureau, and Political Officer in the Office of Southern European Affairs.
Ret. Col. Frank Klimas is currently an Assistant Professor, Department of Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Operations at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Col. Klimas served as Air Force Foreign Affairs Officer for the Middle East and North Africa. He previously worked at the American Embassy in Rabat, Morocco as a Security Cooperation Officer conducting military engagement activities with the Royal Moroccan Air Force. He has traveled throughout the Middle East as a diplomat and a military aviator. He served as Commander of the 505th Command and Control Wing Detachment 1 at Fort Leavenworth.