LISD International Policy Associates (IPAs) recently hosted Stephen Biegun, former Deputy Secretary of State (2019-2021), for dinner following his public lecture with Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America. 

During the public talk, Biegun and Slaughter explored the foreign policy challenges awaiting the next U.S. Administration, touching on topics including Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, and the crisis of multilateralism.

At the dinner, Biegun related his experience as one of the principal negotiators in the 2018 and 2019 U.S.-North Korea summits in Singapore and Hanoi. He emphasized the importance of preparation, clear communication, adaptability and, above all, the objectives of one’s counterparts in complex negotiations. Biegun also discussed the Indo-Pacific region—a timely topic as the IPAs prepare for their upcoming trip to Taiwan and Singapore in January. He shared his perspective on strategic priorities, U.S.-China relations, and US alliances—all of which are integrated into the IPA’s preparation for that trip.

With contributions from International Policy Associate Zhenia Khalabadzhakh ’26.