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Ambassador William Roebuck

Executive Vice President, AGSI

Ambassador William Roebuck is the executive vice president of the Arab Gulf States Institute. Before joining AGSI, Roebuck was a member of the United States Foreign Service, retiring from the Department of State in 2020 after a 28-year career. For his 2018-20 service in northeastern Syria as deputy special envoy for the Global Coalition Against ISIS, embedded with U.S. special forces, Roebuck received the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award and a Presidential Distinguished Service Award.  

Roebuck served as ambassador to Bahrain from January 2015 to November 2017. 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 to Libya from January to June 2013, earning the Department’s Ryan C. Crocker Award for Outstanding Leadership in Expeditionary Diplomacy. Roebuck also completed diplomatic assignments in Baghdad, Damascus, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv, where in the early 2000s he was assigned as the embassy’s political officer for Gaza. 

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 was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English literature from Wake Forest University and his law degree from the University of Georgia. 

Analysis

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The Impact of the Attack on Iran and U.S. Foreign Policy Calculus

U.S. officials’ desire to treat the attack on Iran as “one and done” might run up against a failure of diplomacy that creates a bias toward regime change.

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, June 22. (AP Photo/David Smith)

A Path to a Stronger United States in the Gulf

AGSI offers pragmatic, targeted policy recommendations for the Trump administration to maximize U.S. political and economic influence with the crucial emerging regional powers in the Gulf.

20 min read

President Donald J. Trump, fifth left, attends a group photo session with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, fourth right, UAE Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, second right, Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, left, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, third left, Kuwaiti Emir Meshal al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, second left, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi, right, during the GCC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Takes Concrete Steps to Lift Sanctions on Syria

As the U.S. government begins lifting sanctions on Syria, the key questions will focus on the speed and scope of reconstruction and whether the Syrian government can meet accelerating expectations.

A woman walks past damaged apartment buildings in Daraya, Syria, March 12. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

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.

Events

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May 19, 2025

A Golden Age for U.S.-Gulf Relations? Assessing President Trump’s Middle East Tour

On May 19, AGSI will host a discussion on Trump's visit to the Gulf.

Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, President Donald J. Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attend a group photo session with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, President Donald J. Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa attend a group photo session with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

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.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi prior to negotiations with Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)
In this photo released by Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi prior to negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

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.

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa attends a meeting with former rebel faction chiefs in Damascus, Syria, in this handout image released December 24, 2024. (SANA/Handout via REUTERS)
Syria's de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa attends a meeting with former rebel faction chiefs in Damascus, Syria, in this handout image released December 24, 2024. (SANA/Handout via REUTERS)

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.

Foreign ministers and delegates pose for a family photo after their meeting on Syria, following the recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 12. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS)
Foreign ministers and delegates pose for a family photo after their meeting on Syria, following the recent ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 12. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS)

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. 

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.

Engagement

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Scripps TV News: In an interview, Ambassador Roebuck examined problems at the outset getting the ceasefire implemented between Israel and Iran.

Scripps TV News

Bloomberg: In an interview Ambassador William Roebuck discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran, focusing on their calculations and objectives, and possible impact on the Gulf Arab states.

Bloomberg: In an interview Ambassador William Roebuck discussed the conflict between Israel and Iran, focusing on their calculations and objectives, and possible impact on the Gulf Arab states.

Bloomberg

AlSharqiya: In an interview, Amb. William Roebuck discussed developments in Syria, in the aftermath of President Trump’s visit to the Gulf.

AlSharqiya: In an interview, Amb. William Roebuck discussed developments in Syria, in the aftermath of President Trump’s visit to the Gulf.

AlSharqiya

Asharq TV: In an interview on “Washington Report,” Amb. William Roebuck assessed the impact of President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

Asharq: In an interview on “Washington Report,” Amb. William Roebuck assessed the impact of President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

Asharq

Al Araby TV: In an interview, Amb. William Roebuck analyzed the consequences of President Trump’s decision, while on his visit to the Gulf, to lift sanctions on Syria.

Al Araby TV: In an interview, Amb. William Roebuck analyzed the consequences of President Trump’s decision, while on his visit to the Gulf, to lift sanctions on Syria.

Al Araby TV

Al Ekhbariya: In an interview, Amb. William Roebuck discussed President Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia and the state of U.S.-Saudi relations.

Al Ekhbariya: In an interview, Amb. William Roebuck discussed President Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia and the state of U.S.-Saudi relations.

Al Ekhbariya

External Publications