Talcott Williams Seelye
Encyclopedia
Talcott W. Seelye was a United States Foreign Service Officer
, United States Ambassador
, author
, and commentator.
the son of a professor at the American University of Beirut
, and great grandson of Julius H. Seelye (famed preacher
, writer
and fifth president of Amherst College
). He attended Deerfield Academy
and then graduated from Amherst College
in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Army for a three year term during World War II
.
In 1964 to 65 Seelye attended the National War College, and from 1965 to 1968, he was Chief of Mission in Jidda. From 1968 to 1972, he was Country Director for Lebanon, Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Iraq.
From 1972 to 1976, Seelye was Ambassador to Tunisia. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 1976 to 1977. In 1976 he also served as special representative to the President of Lebanon. From 1979 to 1981, Seelye was Ambassador to Syria, which was his final post before retiring.
for its militarism
and of US foreign policy for being in support of such policies. Within the framework of America's pro-Israel
lobby
(see AIPAC, Seelye has often been portrayed as an Anti-Zionist Arabist
. He has been monitored by pro-Israel groups such as Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America
("CAMERA"), Middle East Forum
(with its Campus Watch
project), and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
, who have reported on Seelye's ties to oil companies and the Saudi Arabian House of Saud
. Critics include Steve Emerson
(The American House of Saud: The Secret Petrodollar Connection), Daniel Pipes
, Martin Kramer
, David Horowitz, and Robert D. Kaplan
.
After the 2001 9/11 Attacks
, Seelye again found himself in the spotlight as an expert on Middle Eastern affairs and continued to advise think tanks and policy making groups. He also continues to come under attack, such as an Atlantic Monthly article Robert D. Kaplan in which he wrote of Seelye that such "Arabists and other area specialists may be emotionally involved, through marriage or friendship, with host countries -- often causing them to dislike the policies that Washington orders them to execute." Recently, Seelye and over 50 former US ambassadors and government officials signed the Middle East Policy Council's
letter to Pres. Bush
, criticizing US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
, specifically Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
's unilateral Gaza withdrawal plan, announced in 2004 and enacted in 2005 (letter cited below), which followed earlier British diplomats' letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair
.
Seeyle is the father of Kate Seelye
, a reporter who works for NPR
.
Foreign Service Officer
A Foreign Service Officer is a commissioned member of the United States Foreign Service. As diplomats, Foreign Service Officers formulate and implement the foreign policy of the United States. FSOs spend most of their careers overseas as members of U.S. embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic...
, United States Ambassador
Ambassadors from the United States
This is a list of ambassadors of the United States to individual nations of the world, to international organizations, to past nations, and ambassadors-at-large.Ambassadors are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, and commentator.
Early life
Seelye was born in BeirutBeirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
the son of a professor at the American University of Beirut
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut is a private, independent university in Beirut, Lebanon. It was founded as the Syrian Protestant College by American missionaries in 1866...
, and great grandson of Julius H. Seelye (famed preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and fifth president of Amherst College
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
). He attended Deerfield Academy
Deerfield Academy
Deerfield Academy is an independent, coeducational boarding school in Deerfield, Massachusetts, United States. It is a four-year college-preparatory school with approximately 600 students and about 100 faculty, all of whom live on or near campus....
and then graduated from Amherst College
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Army for a three year term during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Diplomatic career
Seelye joined the Foreign Service in 1949, and was posted in Stuttgart, Ulm, Amman, Beirut, and Kuwait. From 1960 to 1964, he was Iraq-Jordan desk officer, then officer in charge of Arabian Peninsula affairs, at the State Department.In 1964 to 65 Seelye attended the National War College, and from 1965 to 1968, he was Chief of Mission in Jidda. From 1968 to 1972, he was Country Director for Lebanon, Jordan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Iraq.
From 1972 to 1976, Seelye was Ambassador to Tunisia. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 1976 to 1977. In 1976 he also served as special representative to the President of Lebanon. From 1979 to 1981, Seelye was Ambassador to Syria, which was his final post before retiring.
Post Foreign Service career
In editorial articles, television commentary, and other public appearances, Seelye had been critical of IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
for its militarism
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
and of US foreign policy for being in support of such policies. Within the framework of America's pro-Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
lobby
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
(see AIPAC, Seelye has often been portrayed as an Anti-Zionist Arabist
Arabist (political)
As used in modern political discourse in some quarters, Arabist refers a generally non-Arab specialist in Arabic language or culture perceived to be excessively sympathetic towards Arabic culture and political views...
. He has been monitored by pro-Israel groups such as Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America
Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America
The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America is an American non-profit pro-Israel media watchdog group. The group says it was founded in 1982 "to respond to the Washington Post's coverage of Israel's Lebanon incursion", and to respond to what it considers the media's "general...
("CAMERA"), Middle East Forum
Middle East Forum
The Middle East Forum is an American conservative think tank founded in 1990 by Daniel Pipes, who also serves as its director. MEF became a 5013 non-profit organization in 1994...
(with its Campus Watch
Campus Watch
Campus Watch is a web-based project of the Middle East Forum, a think tank with its headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to its website, Campus Watch "reviews and critiques Middle East studies in North America with an aim to improving them." Critics of Campus Watch say that it is a...
project), and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Washington Institute for Near East Policy
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy is a think tank based in Washington, D.C. focused on United States foreign policy in the Middle East. It was established by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in 1985...
, who have reported on Seelye's ties to oil companies and the Saudi Arabian House of Saud
House of Saud
The House of Saud , also called the Al Saud, is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia and one of the wealthiest and most powerful dynasties in the world. The family holds thousands of members...
. Critics include Steve Emerson
Steve Emerson
Steve Emerson may refer to:* Stephen G. Emerson, stem cell biologist and 13th President of Haverford College* Steven Emerson, journalist and author specializing in national security, terrorism, and Islamic extremism...
(The American House of Saud: The Secret Petrodollar Connection), Daniel Pipes
Daniel Pipes
Daniel Pipes is an American historian, writer, and political commentator. He is the founder and director of the Middle East Forum and its Campus Watch project, and editor of its Middle East Quarterly journal...
, Martin Kramer
Martin Kramer
Martin Seth Kramer is an American scholar of the Middle East at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Shalem Center. His focus is on Islam and Arab politics.-Education:...
, David Horowitz, and Robert D. Kaplan
Robert D. Kaplan
Robert David Kaplan is an American journalist, currently a National Correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly...
.
After the 2001 9/11 Attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, Seelye again found himself in the spotlight as an expert on Middle Eastern affairs and continued to advise think tanks and policy making groups. He also continues to come under attack, such as an Atlantic Monthly article Robert D. Kaplan in which he wrote of Seelye that such "Arabists and other area specialists may be emotionally involved, through marriage or friendship, with host countries -- often causing them to dislike the policies that Washington orders them to execute." Recently, Seelye and over 50 former US ambassadors and government officials signed the Middle East Policy Council's
Middle East Policy Council
The Middle East Policy Council or MEPC is a Washington DC based 5013 non-profit organization that produces analysis and commentary on issues impacting U.S. national interests in the Middle East. It was founded in 1981 under the stated mission to "expand public discussion and understanding of issues...
letter to Pres. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, criticizing US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The conflict is wide-ranging, and the term is also used in reference to the earlier phases of the same conflict, between Jewish and Zionist yishuv and the Arab population living in Palestine under Ottoman or...
, specifically Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon
Ariel Sharon is an Israeli statesman and retired general, who served as Israel’s 11th Prime Minister. He has been in a permanent vegetative state since suffering a stroke on 4 January 2006....
's unilateral Gaza withdrawal plan, announced in 2004 and enacted in 2005 (letter cited below), which followed earlier British diplomats' letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
.
Seeyle is the father of Kate Seelye
Kate Seelye
Kate Seelye is a journalist specializing in coverage of the Middle East. Seelye reports for NPR, and has contributed to the BBC, Channel 4, and PBS....
, a reporter who works for NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
.
Service Chronology
| Position | Host country or organization | Year |
|---|---|---|
| US Army United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services... Officer |
Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... |
1944 to 1946 |
| US Foreign Service | Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
1950 to 1951 |
| US Foreign Service | Jordan Jordan Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing... |
1952 to 1955 |
| US Foreign Service | Kuwait Kuwait The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the... |
1956 to 1960 |
| US Foreign Service | Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World... |
1966 to 1968 |
| US State Department | Country Director for Iraq Iraq Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert.... , Lebanon Lebanon Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among... , Jordan Jordan Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing... , and Syria Syria Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.... |
1968 to 1972 |
| U.S. Ambassador Ambassadors from the United States This is a list of ambassadors of the United States to individual nations of the world, to international organizations, to past nations, and ambassadors-at-large.Ambassadors are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate... |
Tunisia Tunisia Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area... |
1972 to 1976 (under Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... and Gerald Ford Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974... ) |
| US Presidential Envoy Envoy (title) In diplomacy, an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary is, under the terms of the Congress of Vienna of 1815, a diplomat of the second class, ranking between an Ambassador and a Minister Resident.... |
Lebanon Lebanon Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among... |
1976 (under Gerald Ford Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974... ) |
| U.S. Ambassador Ambassadors from the United States This is a list of ambassadors of the United States to individual nations of the world, to international organizations, to past nations, and ambassadors-at-large.Ambassadors are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate... |
Syria Syria Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.... |
1979 to 1981 (under Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office... ) |
Books
- U.S.-Arab Relations: The Syrian Dimension (Portland: Portland State University Press, 1985) ISBN 0-916729-02-8
Articles
- Journal of Palestine Studies - review of Syria and Israel: by Moshe Ma'oz (1996)
- AMEU The Link - book review (1995)
- Journal of Palestine Studies - review of Deliberate Deceptions by Paul Findley (1995)
- Numerous articles
U.S. Department of State Documents
- Memorandum - on TWA hijacking (1969)
- Memorandum on military supply program in Jordan (1968)
- Memorandum on Arab-Israeli impasse (1968)
- Memorandum on message to King Hussein of Jordan (1968)
- Memorandum on audience with King Hussein (1968)
- Memorandum on message for King Hussein (1968)
- Telegram on 1967 ceasefire (1968)
- Telegram on Lebanon's views on 1967 ceasefire (1968)
- Telegram on discussions of Jordan's internal defense (1968)
- Memorandum on message to Jordanian prime minister Talhouni (1968)
- Memorandum on Yemen Situation (1962)
- Memorandum on conversation with Crown Prince Faisal of Saudi ArabiaFaisal of Saudi ArabiaFaisal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud was King of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975. As king, he is credited with rescuing the country's finances and implementing a policy of modernization and reform, while his main foreign policy themes were pan-Islamic Nationalism, anti-Communism, and pro-Palestinian...
(1962) - Memorandum on Yemen situation (1962)
- Paper on US position on the recognition of the Yemen Arab RepublicYemen Arab RepublicThe Yemen Arab Republic , also known as North Yemen or Yemen , was a country from 1962 to 1990 in the western part of what is now Yemen...
(1962) - Telegram on Assistant Secretary Philip Talbot's meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Faisal in New York (1962)
- Paper on death of Yemeni imam Ahmed bin Yahya (1962)
- Memorandum of conversation between Assistant Secretary Philip Talbot and Saudi Crown Prince Faisal in New York (1962)
- Memorandum on matters from White House meeting between President John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and King Saud of Saudi ArabiaSaud of Saudi ArabiaSaud bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud was King of Saudi Arabia from 1953 to 1964. He was removed from power by Faisal because of Saud's mismanagement and waste. He was the eldest surviving son of Ibn Saud and became Crown Prince in 1933. He died in exile in Greece.-Early life:Saud was born in 1902 in Kuwait...
(1962) - Memorandum of conversation between President Kennedy and King Saud (1962)
- Circular Airgram from USDOS to US embassies in Kuwait and United Kingdom (1962)
- Memorandum on upcoming meeting between President Kennedy and King Saud (1961)
Obituaries
- T. W. Seelye, 84, Ambassador and Mideast Expert, Dies Margolit Fox (New York Times)
- Notes on a Diplomatic Life Kate Seelye
- Talcott Seelye, leading envoy in Middle Eastern affairs; at 84 Patricia Sullivan (Boston Globe)
- Notes on a Diplomatic Life: Talcott W. Seelye Patricia Sullivan (Washington Post)
- In Memoriam: Talcott Williams Seelye (1922-2006) Andrew I. Kilgore (WRMEA)
Citations (Favorable)
- U.S. Department of State: ambassador to Syria, ambassador to Tunisia, chairman for Jordan Hijacking Working Group, country director for Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, officer in charge of Arabian Peninsula Affairs
- PBS - interviewed for Hijacked (2006)
- Mother Jones - recollections about 1950s ally Said Ramadan of the Islamic brotherhood (2006)
- WashingtonNote.com - signatory of letter to U.S. Senator Richard Lugar opposing John R. BoltonJohn R. BoltonJohn Robert Bolton is an American lawyer and diplomat who has served in several Republican presidential administrations. He served as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations from August 2005 until December 2006 on a recess appointment...
's nomination as US ambassador to the United Nations (2005) - DACOR Bulletin - contribution in memoriam for Louise Schaffner Armstrong (2005)
- MEPC Letter to President Bush - signatory of letter to President Bush opposing Prime Minister Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan (2004), following (Letter to Prime Minister Blair (also listed by WRMEA)
- PBS News Hour - interview transcript (2001)
- CNN - interview regarding death of Syrian president Hafez al-AssadHafez al-AssadHafez ibn 'Ali ibn Sulayman al-Assad or more commonly Hafez al-Assad was the President of Syria for three decades. Assad's rule consolidated the power of the central government after decades of coups and counter-coups, such as Operation Wappen in 1957 conducted by the Eisenhower administration and...
(2000) - Voice of America - on Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon (2000)
- Foreign Policy in Focus - "The U.S. and the Israeli-Syrian Peace Process" by Stephen ZunesStephen ZunesStephen Zunes is an international relations scholar specializing in the Middle East specializing in Middle Eastern politics, U.S. foreign policy, and strategic nonviolent action. He is known internationally as a leading critic of United States policy in the Middle East, particularly under the...
(2000) - For the Record - transcript of discussion with Milton ViorstMilton ViorstMilton Viorst is an American journalist.He studied history at Rutgers University. In 1951, he was a Fulbright scholar in France. He returned and attended Harvard University and Columbia University, where he graduated in 1956 in journalism....
(1999) - CNN - interview with Judy WoodruffJudy WoodruffJudy Woodruff is an American television news anchor and journalist.Woodruff is a Board Member at the IWMF .-Broadcast journalism career:...
on fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Hizballah (1996) - Summit Council for World Peace - panelist on discussion of the Middle East in the 1990s and World Peace (1993)
- Journal of Palestine Studies - review of The Arabists by former US Ambassador Richard B. Parker (1993)
- Washington and Lee University - speaker (1991)
- Washington Report on Middle East Affairs - biographical interview (1990)
- WhatReallyHappened.com - excerpt from Paul FindleyPaul FindleyPaul Findley is a former United States Representative from Illinois, representing its 20th District. A Republican, he was first elected in 1961. Findley lost his seat in 1982 to current United States Senator Dick Durbin. Findley attended Illinois College and is a member of Phi Alpha Literary Society...
's book They Dare to Speak Out on controversy over Seelye's cable to Stephen Solarz (1989) - Papers of William J. Butler - correspondence on Rhodesia (1976)
- ABC News - appointment as ambassador (1976)
Citations (Unfavorable)
- Atlantic Monthly - Robert Kaplan continues attacks on Seelye (2003) - see complete article
- National Review - Seelye as Arabist (2003) by Alex Safian, associate director of CAMERA
- Jerusalem Post on National Public Radio's bias (2003) [pay archive]
- Wall Stree Journal - Daniel Pipes article reviewing Robert Kaplan's book The Arabists (1999)
- American Spectator - review by Daniel Pipes of Assassination in Khartoum by David CornDavid CornDavid Corn is an American political journalist and author and the chief of the Washington bureau for Mother Jones. He has been Washington editor for The Nation and appeared regularly on FOX News, MSNBC, National Public Radio, and BloggingHeads.tv opposite James Pinkerton or other media...
(1994) - Jerusalem Post on Arabist (1994)
- Jerusalem Post on Seelye cable to Stephen Solarz (1994)
- Jerusalem Post (1989)
- Jerusalem Post (1989)