After the September 11 attacks in 2001 , Seelye again found himself in the spotlight as an expert on Middle Eastern affairs and continued to advise think tanks and policy making groups . He also continues to be strongly criticized by writers who do not agree with his views on the Middle East , such as an '' Atlantic Monthly '' article Robert D. Kaplan in which he wrote of Seelye that such " Arabists and other area specialists may be emotionally involved , through marriage or friendship , with host countries – often causing them to dislike the policies that Washington orders them to execute . " Seelye and over 50 former US ambassadors and government officials signed the Middle East Policy Council 's letter to President George W. Bush , criticizing US policy on the Israeli – Palestinian conflict , specifically Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon 's unilateral Gaza withdrawal plan , announced in 2004 and enacted in 2005 ( letter cited below ) , which followed earlier British diplomats ' letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Talcott Williams Seelye