Jared Cohen is the founder and director of Google Ideas. Google Ideas is a cross-sector, inter-disciplinary “think/do tank” dedicated to understanding global challenges and applying technological solutions to these worldwide problems. Google Ideas further positions Google to influence global cultural, political and social issues.

Cohen is a co-author of “The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations, and Business” Written with Eric Schmidt ’76, Google executive chairman and former CEO. Cohen previously served as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy planning staff and as a close adviser to both Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton. He is also an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Cohen has conducted research in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and throughout Africa, and has interviewed members of Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah and the Taliban. In January 2013, he was one of three members of the first high-level American delegation to North Korea following the ascension to power of Kim Jong-un.

This event is co-sponsored with the Woodrow Wilson School.