The ‘Ex’ Factor: Exceptionalism and Major International Conflict in the 21st Century

EastWest Institute

Tuesday, September 13, 2016  |  12:15-1:30 PM  |  SRH 3.122

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Mr. Firestein oversees EWI’s China, East Asia and United States Program and Russia and United States Program, as well as the institute’s work on U.S.-Iran trust-building. A career U.S. diplomat from 1992 to 2010, Firestein is an expert in China, Russia, public diplomacy and U.S. politics. In his Foreign Service career, he served at the U.S. embassies in Beijing (5 years) and Moscow (4 years). Firestein speaks near native-level Chinese and fluent Russian and has interpreted for senior U.S. officials in both languages.

Firestein taught U.S.-China relations and U.S.-Russia relations as an adjunct member of the graduate faculty at the University of Texas (Austin) from 2006 to 2008. In 2001, he also twice taught “Political Consulting and the American Political Campaign” at the Moscow State Institute (University) for International Relations (MGIMO), Russia’s top university for foreign affairs and premier diplomatic training facility. He was the first sitting foreign diplomat ever to garner a teaching position at MGIMO.

Firestein holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in international relations and master’s degrees from the University of Texas in public affairs and Asian studies. Firestein is a native of Austin, Texas.

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