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
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
