Thursday, January 14, 2021
11:00 AM (Pacific Time)

Many questions loom ahead as President-Elect Joseph Biden prepares for the upcoming transition of power. He has the potential to restore democracy, and to rebuild a more positive, successful America. So how has he handled the post-election challenges and attacks from a frustrated President Trump? Is his new team ready to take on the trials of a pandemic and a weakened economy? How will American foreign policy change, especially for the Middle East? Will this be a new United States and if so, how different?

On the eve of Joseph Biden's inauguration as the 46th president of the United States, Jay Footlik and James Pickup, two established Washington insiders, provide an assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing the new White House team. In particular, our panelists examine the implications of this transition for the MENA region. Listen for a unique look into the activities of the US capital amidst one of the greatest changes between presidential administrations in decades. 

Jay K. Footlik is Managing Partner in Third Circle, Inc., a Washington, DC-based consulting firm. He represents Fortune 500 companies, governments/ministries, high net worth individuals, and others seeking opportunities in the MENA region. He formerly served as special assistant to President Clinton in the White House, where he worked on a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, including extensive work in the Middle East. He also served as the President’s liaison to the American Jewish community. Mr. Footlik earned a BA in political science from UCLA, specializing in American foreign policy and the Middle East. He has a law degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles and is a member of the Maryland State Bar. Jay is also a professional actor and has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1979.

Jim Pickup is president and CEO of the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) and General Counsel of the Aspen Institute. From 1997 to 2014, Mr. Pickup was a partner and associate at DLA Piper, an international law firm. In 2000 and 2001, he served as Senator George Mitchell's representative when the Senator chaired the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee, an international committee established to examine the crisis between the Israelis and Palestinians and to make recommendations to prevent its recurrence. Mr. Pickup graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, received a Master’s in international affairs from Columbia University, and graduated with honors (M.A. hons.) from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Sponsor(s): Center for Middle East Development, Burkle Center for International Relations, Department of Public Policy

 Download Podcast

Duration: 01:19:35