On March 20, the Institute hosted Douglas A. Paal as part of its Contemporary China Speakers Series at the University of Chicago. The series brings experts from across professions, perspectives, and disciplines—including from academia, government, think tanks, journalism, and industry—to the University’s Hyde Park campus for stimulating talks and discussions on contemporary China.
The former vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase International, Paal served as director of the American Institute in Taiwan. He was on the National Security Council staffs of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, first as director of Asian Affairs and later as senior director and special assistant to the president. He also held posts in policy planning at the State Department and at U.S. embassies in Singapore and Beijing, and served as a senior analyst for the CIA.
In his talk, entitled “President Obama’s Trip to Asia: Legacy or Lost Opportunity?” Douglas Paal, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, provided insights into President Obama’s recent four-nation tour of Asia. Obama’s weeklong trip at the end of April covered Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea.
