Richard Sindelar is a nonresident scholar in global diplomacy at the Baker Institute. His interests center on U.S. foreign policy issues, international security and the policymaking process. His current research is focused on Ukraine, international law, the “responsibility to protect” doctrine and war crimes.

Sindelar previously served as director of the Center for International Studies (CIS) at the University of St. Thomas, where he taught courses on diplomacy and strategic affairs, U.S. foreign policy, international security, international law and the Middle East and North Africa region. He also served as director of the CIS’ Distinguished Diplomat Program, a program geared to inspire and educate students for careers in diplomacy.

Sindelar is a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer who served more than 22 years with the U.S. State Department, from the Richard Nixon administration to that of Bill Clinton. His overseas posts included Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and the then-Sinai Field Mission, as well as Montreal and Monterrey.

In Washington, he served three tours in the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), including a tour as deputy director of Middle East/South Asia analysis (1991-1994) during the Oslo Accords and the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm.

He is co-editor of the book “Crosscurrents in the Gulf: Arab, Regional and Global Interests” (Croom-Helm, 1986) and has contributed commentary and articles in a number of media outlets, including the Houston Chronicle, Austin American Stateman, Lobelog, and 19fortyfive. He periodically appears as an analyst on international issues on Fox 26 News and other Houston media stations.

Sindelar holds a J.D. (1983) and a B.S. in foreign service (1971) from Georgetown University.

Contact at Rick.Sindelar@rice.edu.