Former Ambassador Gordon Gray is a professor of practice at Penn State’s School of International Affairs. He is a nonresident senior fellow at American Progress after serving as its chief operating officer for four years. Gray was previously the executive vice president at the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce and the deputy commandant at the National War College. He served as the U.S. ambassador to Tunisia from 2009 until 2012, witnessing the start of the Arab Spring and directing the U.S. response in support of Tunisia’s transition.
He was senior adviser to the U.S. ambassador to Iraq from 2008 until 2009, focusing on governance and infrastructure in the southern provinces. Before that, Gray was deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs from 2005 until 2008; his responsibilities included the promotion of U.S. interests in the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa as well as oversight of the bureau’s Regional Affairs office. His other foreign assignments included Egypt, where he served as deputy chief of mission from 2002 until 2005; Canada; Jordan; Pakistan; and Morocco, where he began his career in government as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Gray received his B.A. from Yale and his M.A. from Columbia, as well as an honorary M.S. from the National Defense University.
Gordon Gray discusses Tunisian President Kais Saied's recent visit to the United States.
Gordon Gray argues that the United States should continue assistance programs that will further its core interests—security and democracy—rather than cutting off assistance to Tunisia following President Kais Saied’s anti-democratic power grab this past summer.
Gordon Gray discusses what role the United States can play in Tunisia's fight for democracy following President Kais Saied's recent anti-democratric power grab.
Gordon Gray explores the fragile state of Tunisia's democracy following President Kais Saied's suspension of Parliament and assumption of extra-constitutional powers this past summer.
Gordon Gray writes about the need for the United States to rethink its strategy toward the Middle East and North Africa.
Gordon Gray explains why Tunisian President Kais Saied was wrong to remove the current Tunisian ambassador in Washington.
Author Gordon Gray explains why the Biden administration should help sustain Tunisia’s transition to democracy, especially as the country struggles against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author Gordon Gray examines how the Biden administration has taken steps to help Tunisia's transition to a more open political and economic system a decade after the Arab Spring.
Gordon Gray reviews The Ardent Swarm: A Novel by Yamen Manai.
Gordon Gray writes about why Linda Thomas-Greenfield is the right choice for next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Gordon Gray reflects on the 10th anniversary of the Arab Spring and provides 12 lessons from his experience as the U.S. ambassador to Tunisia.
Author Gordon Gray explains what the recent U.S. election will mean for Tunisians.
