The Life and Times of James R. Lilley: An Appreciation

AEI will host a conference to celebrate the role that James Roderick Lilley played in postwar East Asian security policy.

The Honorable James Roderick Lilley (1928-2009) played an important, enduring, and indispensable role in America's postwar security policies in East Asia; indeed, he is widely regarded as one of the great Asia hands of his era. Lilley's career in government spanned four decades and took him from covert intelligence operations in the Far East to senior policymaking positions in Washington, including at the National Security Council and the Department of Defense. Lilley served as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea during South Korea's delicate but successful transition from authoritarian rule to democracy, and as ambassador to China during the Tiananmen Square massacre. He was also the U.S. representative to Taiwan before his assignments in Seoul and Beijing. Lilley's acute and unvarnished intelligence assessments, sound judgment in times of crisis, and cool counsel became coin of the realm for his colleagues--ultimately including American presidents and foreign heads of state.

We at AEI fondly recall our own association with Ambassador Lilley, who directed AEI's Asian Studies program for many years. On the first anniversary of his death, AEI will convene a tribute to his life. Please join us on this special occasion, at which distinguished policymakers and eminent scholars will offer their reminiscences and reflections upon the man, his contributions to America, and his role in shaping modern U.S.-Asian relations.  

Schedule of Events

9:45 a.m. Registration

10:00 Introduction: NICHOLAS EBERSTADT, AEI

10:05 Tribute: KURT M. CAMPBELL, Department of State

10:15 Panel I: The Life of James Lilley

Panelists:
CHUCK DOWNS, U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
JOSEPH R. DETRANI, National Counterproliferation Center
RICHARD P. LAWLESS, New Magellan Ventures
LARRY M. WORTZEL, U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

11:00 Panel II: The Times of James Lilley

Panelists:
RICHARD C. BUSH III, Brookings Institution
CHRISTOPHER DEMUTH, AEI
AARON L. FRIEDBERG, Princeton University
JAMES MANN, Author

12:00 p.m. Adjournment

Please register online at http://www.aei.org/event/100317

One can also register by faxing the information below to (202) 862-7171.

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Shortly after the event occurs, a video webcast will be available on the AEI website at www.aei.org/video.

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