Lecturer

Ambassador Richard Erdman is a retired career diplomat with over 45 years of service. In recent years, he has been called out of retirement to serve in temporary ambassadorial assignments: Senior Area Adviser for the Middle East on the U.S. Delegation to the annual fall UN General Assembly (2008 to the present); interim ambassador to Saudi Arabia (2009); Acting Deputy Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (2012); and Acting U.S. Representative to the UN Economic and Social Council (2015).

Ambassador Erdman served as U.S. ambassador to Algeria, 2003-2006; Director for Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan Affairs (2001-2002); and U.S. Special Envoy and Head of the five-nation Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group (1998-2000).His earlier postings included Portugal, Washington, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, and Turkey.

Ambassador Erdman has received two Presidential Meritorious Service awards as well as several Department of State awards for distinguished service. He and his wife Sibyl have traveled widely, both personally and professionally. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.