Robert Suettinger served as Scarff Professor for the 2007 Spring Term. During his tenure, he co-taught, with his Lawrence mentor, Chong-do Hah, professor emeritus of government, a seminar titled The United States and Rising Asian Powers.
Suettinger is author of the 2003 book Beyond Tiananmen: The Politics of U.S.-China Relations, 1989-2000, which has been called “one of the best books in a very crowded field.”
Currently an “analytic director” with Centra Technology, Inc., an Arlington, Va., consulting firm, Suettinger has an extensive background in East Asian affairs and policy making, including service as national intelligence officer for East Asia at the National Intelligence Council; director, Asian affairs, for the National Security Council; and director, Office of Analysis for East Asia and the Pacific, in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State.
From 1975 to 1987, he was a researcher, senior analyst, and branch chief in the China division, Office of East Asian Analysis, Directorate of Intelligence, of the Central Intelligence Agency.
He has been a frequent seminar speaker and lecturer on United States China policy since his retirement from the CIA in 1998.