About the strauss center
The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at The University of Texas at Austin provides the imagination, leadership and intellectual innovation required to help meet the challenges of the 21st century. It is designed to be a new kind of institution, one that engages the best minds in academia, government and the private sector in developing practical solutions to the pressing problems of an increasingly globalized world. The Center seeks the widest possible audience, enriching the public debate and giving guidance to decision-makers on how to respond to dangers and opportunities in global affairs.
Engages the world beyond the university:
The Strauss Center bridges the gap between UT and the world outside by engaging policymakers, business and civic leaders and journalists. Creating new networks inspires innovative thinking about global affairs.
Conducts multidisciplinary research:
Today’s global challenges are multi-dimensional. They cannot be solved by one discipline alone. The Center brings together scholars from across campus to tackle the most difficult global issues.
Prepares the next generation of leaders:
Throughout his career, Ambassador Strauss has championed new and varied voices. The Strauss Center continues this tradition of mentorship by supporting the work of promising undergraduate and graduate students.
Promotes civil, responsible discussion:
In advising presidents of both parties, Ambassador Strauss embodied the value that guides our efforts: civility. The Strauss Center is nonpartisan and encourages the free and open exchange of ideas.
Ambassador Robert S. Strauss
Ambassador Robert S. Strauss has made extraordinary contributions as a public servant and a private businessman during his remarkable career. His unique ability to transcend partisan politics and bring together different cultures, nations and organizations has made him one of America’s most trusted and influential power brokers and presidential advisers.
Raised in the West Texas town of Stamford, Ambassador Strauss served as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation after earning his law degree from The University of Texas. In 1945, he founded what became Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, now one of the largest law firms in the world.
Ambassador Strauss served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee and as chairman of President Jimmy Carter’s campaigns. He served as President Carter’s Special Trade Representative and was the President’s personal representative to the Middle East peace negotiations.
During George H. W. Bush’s presidency, Ambassador Strauss guided America’s policy toward Russia during the historic fall of the Soviet Union. As our last ambassador to the Soviet Union and our first to Russia, his wisdom and foresight helped transform a bitter rivalry into a lasting strategic partnership.
In 1981, Ambassador Strauss received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. He is a Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Texas, and he has held the Lloyd Bentsen Chair at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, where he lectured to students of law, business and public policy.
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