David C. Speedie

Founder and Former Director, U.S. Global Engagement Program

David Speedie is the founder and former director of the Council's program on U.S. Global Engagement. He is a founding member of The American Committee for East-West Accord.

In 2007–2008, Speedie was also a senior fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Speedie worked at Carnegie Corporation of New York from 1992 to 2007. He joined the Corporation as a program officer in the cooperative security program and was appointed program chair in March 1993, a position he held for almost 12 years. In 2004, he was appointed to serve as special advisor to the president and director of the Corporation's project on Islam.

He was recruited from the W. Alton Jones Foundation where he was codirector of the secure society program and directed, over a five year period, programs in the arts, urban affairs, and the environment. In the 1980s, Speedie was a consultant to nonprofits in management, marketing, and fund-raising as well as director of cultural affairs for Mayor Bill Green in Philadelphia. He also served as the bicentennial liaison officer at the British Embassy in Washington.

For three years, Speedie was a professor of English and drama at the University of St Andrews in his native Scotland. Speedie holds an Honours M.A. [First Class] in Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Studies and an M.Litt. from the University of St Andrews. He was a visiting research fellow as a Kennedy scholar at Harvard University from 1971–1973. He has been a book editor and writer for the National Endowment for the Arts' Community Vision, a freelance journalist on politics for The Scotsman, and most recently, a reviewer for the International Journal of Middle East Studies. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Featured Work

SEP 27, 2013 Podcast

U.S. Policy on Iran and the Middle East: Where Do We Go From Here?

Are we on the brink of a new era in Iran-U.S. relations? Maybe. Iran expert Gary Sick discusses President Rouhani's UN speech, which took ...

CREDIT: Life Preserver via <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-105062843/stock-photo-safe-water-support-aid-circle-with-rope-rescue-red-life-buoy-on-wooden-background-of-ship-or-boat.html?src=lb-21249545">Shutterstock</a>

SEP 16, 2013 Article

A Lifeline for Peace in Syria--and for Obama

Why are we so reluctant to say the following? The overriding priority is to end the killing; defanging the Syrian chemical weapons complex will be ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-111913646/stock-photo-the-syria-flag-painted-on-cracked-ground-with-vignette.html?src=2MxIh1ofNEDYTajaWexBqA-1-79">The Syrian flag</a> via Shutterstock

AUG 29, 2013 Article

Syria: "To Jaw-Jaw Is Always Better than to War-War"

The mantra of those who are pro-intervention in Syria is that while there are no good options, in the face of tens of thousands of ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-116696656/stock-photo-usa-x-russia.html">USA X Russia</a> via Shutterstock

AUG 16, 2013 Article

No, the Sky Is Not Falling

Controversy surrounding the Magnitsky Act and the Edward Snowden affair has led some observers to believe a "new Cold War" is underway between the U....

Shibley Telhami

JUN 10, 2013 Podcast

The World Through Arab Eyes: Arab Public Opinion and the Reshaping of the Middle East

While domestic injustices and the information revolution were key factors, Dr. Telhami argues it's impossible to understand the Arab uprisings without also referring to foreign ...

<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-86276347/stock-photo-russia-against-america.html">Russia against America</a> via Shutterstock

MAY 8, 2013 Article

After Boston: An Intelligence Blame Game with no Winner

Immediately after the Boston Marathon bombings there was a sadly predictable flurry of mutual recriminations between the intelligence services of the U.S. and Russia. ...

Calton HIll in Edinburgh, Scotland via <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-98074637/stock-photo-scotland-edinburgh-calton-hill.html">Shutterstock</a>

APR 10, 2013 Podcast

Investing in an Independent Scotland

In an eloquent speech, First Minister Salmond, leader of the government in Scotland, makes the case for an independent Scotland. In addition to compelling economic ...

FEB 14, 2013 Podcast

Report from the Middle East

Chuck Freilich's knowledgeable talk gives us an overview of the primary forces at work today in the Middle East--and some potential outcomes. He also provides ...

JAN 30, 2013 Podcast

Going to Tehran: Prospects for U.S.-Iranian Engagement

Americans' view of Iran as an illegitimate system in imminent danger of overthrow is wrongheaded, wishful thinking, say the Leveretts. The U.S. needs to ...

Seyed Hossein Mousavian

JAN 3, 2013 Podcast

Prospects for U.S.-Iran Relations

Iran and the U.S. have a long list of common interests, including Afghanistan, stability in Iraq, and fighting drug trafficking. A good way to ...