Stephen Sackur

	Stephen Sackur >>

Stephen Sackur is the new presenter of BBC Hardtalk which is broadcast on BBC News 24 and BBC World, the BBC's international news channel, and has already started to receive widespread praise: Following an interview with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia he received over 200 emails from Ethiopians delighted to hear an interviewer willing to challenge their leader on his record on Corruption and Human Rights.

Prior to his appointment, Stephen was the BBC's Chief Europe correspondent between 2002 and 2005, following a 4 year stint in Washington.

Stephen offers a world of experience in US and foreign affairs news coverage. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the war ravaged sands of Kuwait, Sackur has covered major breaking stories for over a decade. His insight into the people and places that keep our world spinning is unparalleled. Some of his areas of expertise include:

• U.S. Politics and Culture
  Stephen was the BBC's chief Washington correspondent from '97 thru to 2002 and during a momentous five years covered the impeachment of Bill Clinton, the closest election in US political history, the September 11th attacks and America's response - the global war on terrorism.
  His reporting from Washington was honoured by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2002. Durin his time there he interviewed Presidents Clinton and Bush and all of their closest advisors.
• The Middle East
  Sackur served as BBC Middle East Correspondent in both Cairo and Jerusalem, covering all aspects of this volatile, fascinating region including: the ups and downs of the peace process, the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin and the emergence of the Palestinian Authority under Yasser Araf.

  In 1991 he wrote a book about the first Gulf War called 'On the Basra Road' in 1991 - it was a 'Spectator' book of the year.

• Eastern Europe
  As witness to Communism's last days in Eastern Europe, Sackur offers a
  unique perspective on the rocky road to democracy and stability for this
  important post-Cold War area.

Stephen's warm yet no nonsense style is highly valued in the corporate market and is available for hosting conferences as well as making keynote speeches, with his wide internation experience making him a natural choice for multinational audiences.

"Another superb & thoroughly professional performance! Thanks so much."
Stephen chaired a panel discussion at the BWEA Annual Conference in Autumn 2008 - the 4th year running