Howard Bruner Schaffer
Howard Bruner Schaffer (July 21, 1929 – November 17, 2017) was an American professor and diplomat. A Foreign Service Officer, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh. Family and education Howard Bruner Schaffer was born on July 21, 1929, in New York City. He had a sister, Doris Schaffer O'Brien, and was married to Teresita Currie Schaffer. He completed his BA. at Harvard University in 1950. Between 1953 and 1955 he attended Columbia University. Career From 1951 to 1953, Schaffer served in the U.S. Army. From 1969 to 1970, he was a scholar at Princeton University and was also an administrator and professor at Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. Subsequently, he had a career of thirty-six years in the Foreign service, dealing mainly with America's relations with the South Asia region. His early postings were in New Delhi, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur. He served as political counselor to the American embassies in Pakistan between 1974-1977 and also served as political counselor to the American embassy in India during 1977–1979. He then held the post of U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh during 1984–1987. Schaffer was twice Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs in the US State Department. Works Chester Bowles: New Dealer in Cold War Ellsworth Bunker: Global Troubleshooter, Vietnam Hawk The Limits of Influence: American Role in Kashmir How Pakistan negotiates with the United States: Riding the Roller Coaster Besides books, Schaffer has also authored several articles on matters related to South Asia. The Limts of Influence: America's Role in Kashmir Robert Hathaway notes in Foreign Affairs that Schaffer has written an "exemplary account" of the United States' efforts to settle or at least manage the Kashmir Conflict. Hathaway observes that Schaffer argues that the time is right for a fresh US initiative to help resolve the Kashmir Conflict. Surinder Mohan of the Jawaharlal Nehru University notes that it is a "remarkable" book which traces the Oval Office's efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue right from the beginning. He observes that the book follows a framework highlighting America's intermittently active and inactive participation from 1948 to the mid 1960s. Mohan observes that the book describes well the failure of all the parties involved: the United Nations, United States, India and Pakistan. While maintaining that it is a fine book Mohan expresses disappointment with the absence of the analysis of the impacts of the 1971 war and Indo-US nuclear deal. Mohan concludes that the book is timely, devoid of jargon and highly accessible. Mohan notes that the book contributes substantially to the literature on the Kashmir conflict and Mohan also recommends that the book be on the desk of every policy-maker and student of the region. Michael Cotter terms Schaffer's book as outstanding and says it is a must read for those studying the Kashmir Conflict as well as the current Central Asian conflicts. Cottenr observes that while the book concentrates on America's role it also provides a detailed outline of the conflict from