Bob Bowker
![Bob Bowker](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/pictures/155986-bob-bowker-grey.jpg)
Biography
Publications
Bob Bowker is a former Australian ambassador to Jordan, Egypt and Syria. He was an Adjunct Professor at the ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies.
![Syria: The consequences of intellectual failure and moral neglect](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-1234496122.jpg?itok=4HNB019a)
Syria: The consequences of intellectual failure and moral neglect
No Western government should abide policy goals that in practice are pursued via collective punishment of Syrian people.
![The fallout of assassinating Mohsen Fakhrizadeh](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-1229830078.jpg?itok=iszvJM7Z)
The fallout of assassinating Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
The killing of the head of the Iranian nuclear program may make it even harder to revive the nuclear deal.
![The false promise of regime change](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-57272427%20copy.jpg?itok=c9XUloo7)
The false promise of regime change
A new book from an Obama insider considers the repeated failures of outside overthrow in the Middle East.
![Syria: Is it time for the West to talk with Assad?](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/sxbC4hxxZ8LtmOQHyI5enABBkl3S41U9.jpg?itok=2_G4Tzqx)
Syria: Is it time for the West to talk with Assad?
Engaging Assad, while repugnant, is better than words of sound and fury delivered that makes little difference.
![Morsi’s fate a reminder of power realities in Egypt](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/GettyImages-1150381568.jpg?itok=11UZUak1)
Morsi’s fate a reminder of power realities in Egypt
Mohamed Morsi was blind to the certainty that Egypt’s military will not tolerate challenges to its ultimate authority.
![Challenges mount up](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Assad%20Putin_1%20-%20CROP.jpg?itok=6-IlLC5A)
Challenges mount up
Unsolved political issues in the Middle East leave barren soil for economic and social green shoots.
![Where does Qatar go from here? To Moscow?](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/al-Udeid_crop.jpg?itok=68CwoMz7)
Where does Qatar go from here? To Moscow?
Qatar needs to make it plain to the United States that the Saudis and Emiratis are pursuing a course of action that damages US interests.
![Assad and chemical weapons: The regional repercussions](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Idlib_crop2.jpg?itok=br30Q70X)
Assad and chemical weapons: The regional repercussions
The only response that will matter to Assad is that which comes from Moscow and Tehran.
![Middle East diplomacy: Assad will have to be included](https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/styles/expert_publications/public/Assad_cropped.jpg?itok=X0aNW1Dm)
Middle East diplomacy: Assad will have to be included
It would serve no western interests to leave Assad with no option but to look to Iran and Russia for ongoing support.
Pagination