John Brady Kiesling was a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service for twenty years prior to his resignation in protest over the looming U.S. invasion of Iraq. At the time, Kiesling was Political Counselor in the U.S. Embassy in Athens. After resigning, Kiesling wrote a book entitled Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower (Potomac Books 2006).

Prior to his assignment in Greece, Kiesling was Deputy Special Negotiator for Nagorno-Karabakh, 1999-2000; Political/Economic Counselor, at the U.S. Embassy Yerevan, Armenia from 1997-99; India Desk Officer, U.S. Department of State from 1994-96; Romania Desk Officer, U.S. Department of State from 1992-94; Political Officer, U.S. Embassy Athens, Greece, 1988-92; Economic Officer, U.S. Consulate General Casablanca, Morocco, 1985-87; and Vice Consul and Ambassador’s Staff Aide, U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv, Israel, 1983-85. In 1994 Kiesling received the Rivkin Award, given by the American Foreign Service Association for constructive dissent, as one of twelve State Department officials who pushed for U.S. intervention in Bosnia on humanitarian grounds. He won State Department meritorious honor awards and language awards for Greek and Armenian.

Kiesling holds a master’s degree in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archeology from the University of California Berkeley. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and National Merit Scholar. Following his resignation from the Foreign Service, Kiesling spent the 2003-4 academic year as visiting fellow and lecturer at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School and the Hellenic Studies Program. He has spoken at college campuses around the country. During the 2004 elections, he campaigned with Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change.

Kiesling lives in Athens, Greece with his partner Regina. He is completing a book on the 17 November terrorist group. He writes a monthly column for the Athens News, and has published numerous articles and op-ed pieces. He has a grown daughter.

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