Former U.S. Diplomat Martin Indyk Dies at 73

Martin Indyk, a prominent figure in U.S. and Middle East diplomacy, has died at the age of 73 due to complications from esophageal cancer. His wife, Gahl Hodges Burt, confirmed his passing at their home in New Fairfield, Connecticut. The Council on Foreign Relations, where Indyk served as a distinguished fellow since 2018, praised him as a "rare, trusted voice" in the often polarized discussions surrounding U.S. policy in the Middle East. Born in Australia, Indyk held significant roles in U.S. diplomacy, including serving as the U.S. ambassador to Israel from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2000 to 2001. He was also the special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations during the Obama administration from 2013 to 2014. His resignation from this role marked another setback in U.S. efforts to broker peace in the region. Recently, he had been vocal on social media, urging Israelis to reconsider their government's approach amid ongoing conflicts, particularly in Gaza. Indyk's critiques extended to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he accused of exacerbating tensions and leading Israel into isolation. His extensive career included positions as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs and leadership roles at various think tanks, including The Brookings Institution and The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Colleagues and peers remember Indyk as a visionary and a pioneering scholar whose work significantly influenced American Middle East policy. Robert Satloff noted that Indyk's commitment to sound research and effective policy-making left a lasting impact on the field.