Ambassador Newton, a lecturer and TV commentator, returned home in 2004 after six years in Prague as the first director of Radio Free Iraq.  Before that appointment he had retired from a 36 year diplomatic career, having served as ambassador to Yemen (1994-97) and ambassador to Iraq (1984-88).  Other tours included deputy chief of mission in Yemen and Syria, political counselor in Saudi Arabia, Near East division chief for intelligence .and research, and director for Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and PLO affairs.  He received a presidential medal for his Iraq assignment, numerous Foreign Service awards, and a US Army medal for outstanding civilian service.

From 1990 to 1993 he was deputy commandant for foreign affairs and chairman of the national security policy department at the National War College, also doing extensive public speaking and working on Iraq during Desert Shield/Desert Storm for JCS and DIA, for which he was commended by President Bush and JCS Chairman Powell.  

Ambassador Newton is chairman of the Council for the National Interest and an advisory board member of the Rumi Forum D.C.   In 2007-09 he was president of the National War College Alumni Association.  After college he served in Germany as an artillery officer with the 3rd Armored Division.

Education  
B.A. in Anthropology and Archaeology at Harvard College; M.A. in Islamic History and Arabic Literature at University of Michigan

Languages
Arabic, German, French

Countries of Expertise
Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon

Issues of Expertise
political dynamics, democracy, history, and religion.

Contact: canddnewton@excite.com