Author, The Room Where It Happened; National Security Advisor (2018-2019); U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2005-2006)
Described as "someone who sees the world as it really is" and who speaks "with moral clarity," John Bolton provides an unparalleled perspective on world events.
One of America’s most prominent policy voices, John Bolton is a lawyer and diplomat who has spent his career fighting to protect American national interests.
As National Security Advisor, Ambassador Bolton championed a strong and resolute US foreign and defense policy – recognized for his powerful national-security influence and past administrative experience, having served in the Reagan administration and under former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
Ambassador Bolton scored key policy victories during his recent White House tenure, such as overseeing the administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran, reached under former President Obama. He also served as a crucial force in strategic conversations with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, seeking broad concessions from Kim about his weapons of mass destruction. He participated in key policy formulation on issues related to Russia, including on strategic arms control, and on China.
As the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Bolton strongly defended American economic and security interests, as he did throughout his time at the State and Justice Departments. During his tenure, he was a leading voice on the need for the Security Council to take strong and meaningful action against international proliferation and terrorism.
Along with France’s ambassador, Ambassador Bolton led the Security Council to approve a unanimous resolution to end the summer 2006 Hezbollah war on Israel, to authorize UN peacekeepers and to create an arms embargo against Hezbollah. He also assembled an international coalition that blocked the bid of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s Marxist strongman, to join the Security Council.
Throughout his distinguished career, Ambassador Bolton has been a staunch defender of American interests. While Under Secretary of State, he repeatedly advocated tough measures against the nuclear weapons programs of both Iran and North Korea, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction worldwide. He led negotiations for America to withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty so that the Bush Administration could proceed with a national missile-defense program.
Ambassador Bolton is also an advocate for human rights. While serving at the UN, he arranged the Security Council’s first deliberations on Burma’s human rights abuses. He invited actor George Clooney and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel to brief the Security Council in September 2006 on the Khartoum regime’s mass murder of non-Arabs in Darfur, Sudan. “Every day we delay only adds to the suffering of the Sudanese people and extends the genocide,” Ambassador Bolton says.
Released in June 2020, his book, The Room Where It Happened is a White House memoir that is the most comprehensive and substantial account of the Trump Administration, and one of the few to date by a top-level official. His op-ed articles have also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other periodicals.
A man of principle and conviction, Bolton provided a forward-thinking vision on international economic and political issues vital to the U.S. and its allies. He shares with audiences his views on how the global economy is affected by the international geopolitical environment and foreign government policies, and how business, investors, and government need to respond. Leaning on his international and diplomatic experience under four presidential administrations, he explores populism, national security, and U.S. foreign policy in uncertain times.
John Bolton On Humanitarian Issues Around the Globe: When Should America Step In
John Bolton On The Complexities of International Intervention In Haiti
John Bolton on Russia’s Threat to Europe
John Bolton’s Speech Topics
Foreign Challenges Facing A Biden Administration
Drawing from his decades of political and diplomatic experience, Ambassador John Bolton examines the threats and challenges facing America and its allies, including:
China’s pursuit of an aggressive strategy in the South China Sea and an unprecedented buildup in cyberwarfare, nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and naval capabilities
Russia’s efforts to meddle in foreign elections, including our own, dramatically increased influence in the troubled Middle East, and the ongoing war in Ukraine and what it means for other countries in eastern Europe and the former USSR
The Middle East’s continued descent into chaos, with Israel threatened by terrorists, and Iran’s nuclear-weapons program, with ISIS and al Qaeda still menacing America and Europe
Ambassador Bolton will cover these or other topics of particular interest to your group, either in a stand-alone speech or as part of a debate or panel discussion. He shares with audiences:
Insight into the likely contrasts and continuities between Presidents Trump, Obama, and President Biden
Recommendations for dealing with strategic threats from Russia and China, and the longer-term threats of international terrorism and nuclear proliferation
Provocative thoughts on how to protect Israel’s security and that of other U.S. friends in the region, while bringing lasting peace to the Middle East
Global Business Challenges and Opportunities
Ambassador John Bolton shares his unique understanding of foreign policies, as well as what businesses should expect from the incoming administration.
Based on his international and diplomatic experience under four presidential administrations, Ambassador Bolton discusses:
What to expect from an incoming administration’s security policy, which could have far-reaching implications on financial and economic stability, particularly in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
The impact of trade agreements on international partnerships and the global business environment
The current political risk assessment of any given market or markets, grounded in history and projected forward for business-planning purposes
Key insight into trends to consider over the next several months, and future business outlook of a Biden Administration