Ambassador William “Bill” Roebuck is the executive vice president of the Arab Gulf States Institute. He most recently served as the deputy special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and a senior advisor to the Special Representative for Syria Engagement Ambassador James Jeffrey. Prior to his appointment, Roebuck served as a senior advisor to Special Presidential Envoy Brett McGurk from January to December 2018.
Roebuck served as ambassador to Bahrain from 2015-17. He was appointed deputy assistant secretary for Maghreb Affairs in January 2013 and assumed additional responsibility for Egypt Affairs in January 2014. He served as Chargé d’Affaires in Tripoli, Libya from January to June 2013, earning the Ryan C. Crocker Award for Outstanding Leadership in Expeditionary Diplomacy. From September 2010 to December 2012, he served as director for the Office of Maghreb Affairs in the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Roebuck served as deputy political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad from July 2009 to August 2010, covering Iraq’s external relations and leading the embassy’s and the resident international community’s efforts to support the critical March 2010 national elections.
Roebuck served as the deputy office director for Arabian Peninsula Affairs from 2007-09. From 2004-07, he served as the political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus. In his last year of that assignment, Roebuck served as the acting deputy chief of mission. Prior to his assignment in Syria, he covered political issues in Gaza, while assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv from 2000-03. He served in Washington as staff assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs from 1997-98.
Prior to joining the State Department, Roebuck worked as an English teacher and school administrator in Taif, Saudi Arabia from 1982-87. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Cote d’Ivoire from 1978-81.
Roebuck speaks French and Arabic. He hails from Rocky Mount, North Carolina and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English literature from Wake Forest University in 1978 and 1981, respectively, and his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1992.
Analysis
Amid Violence, Sanctions, and Negotiations, Syria’s Interim Government Struggles for Control
While recent violence and the failure to get sanctions lifted are huge challenges, the agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate into state institutions helps Syria’s beleaguered interim government regain its footing.
The Struggle for Syria
The flurry of diplomatic activity and the leadership’s announcement of an extended timeline for holding elections signal a prolonged, difficult transition for Syria, with complex internal jousting for power also shaped by external influence.
Syrian Democratic Forces’ Commander Worries About Turkey Action Against Kurds
A Turkish-led proxy force in Syria has begun an offensive targeting the Kurdish-majority city of Kobane, an action that Kurdish leaders warn will lead to ethnic cleansing and could derail the fight against ISIS in northeast Syria.
Dec 9, 2024
The Domestic and Regional Impact of the Political Earthquake in Syria
The map of Syria has undergone a shocking revision, and domestic instability and retribution, with broader regional fallout, remain possible, even as diplomats engage and hope for the best.
Has Gaza Created Structural Impediments to Normalization?
An elusive Gaza cease-fire, a potential collapse in viability of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, and ratcheting Israel-Hezbollah tensions are key obstacles to the resumption of normalization progress between Israel and Gulf states.
Gaza Impact Creep: Is the Fight Against ISIL a Casualty?
The commander of the U.S. partner force in Syria says the Gaza war is damaging internal security and regional support in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Events
Apr 29, 2025
The Real Deal? Are Washington and Tehran Closer to a Compromise?
On April 29, AGSI hosted a discussion on the U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations.
Speakers
Feb 4, 2025
After Assad: What’s Next for Syria and the Region?
On February 4, AGSIW hosted a discussion on the collapse of the Assad regime and the future of Syria.
Speakers
Jan 23, 2025
Outlook 2025: What Will the New Year Bring for the Gulf Region and U.S.-Gulf Relations?
On January 23, AGSIW hosted a discussion on what regional trends they’ll be following most closely as the year unfolds.
Speakers
Oct 16, 2024
Roundtable With Mohammed Baharoon
On October 16, AGSIW hosted a private roundtable with Mohammed Baharoon moderated by Ambassador William Roebuck on recent developments in the region.
Speakers
Oct 1, 2024
A Conversation With H.E. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
On October 1, AGSIW hosted a private roundtable with H.E. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the undersecretary for political affairs of Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speakers
Jan 9, 2024
2024 Outlook
On January 9, AGSIW hosted a virtual roundtable with its leadership and scholars as they looked ahead and assessed trends likely to shape the Gulf region and U.S. foreign policy during the coming year.
Speakers
