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
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 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
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.
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
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.
Speakers
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
