Hadley changes the language of diplomacy

CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images News On Wednesday evening at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley spoke broadly about freedom and the Middle East. His prepared remarks (pdf) weren’t too surprising—the key point was that the time is right to push for peace because Israel is becoming more receptive ...

By , a staff writer at Foreign Policy from 2014-2017.
597918_071129_hadley_05.jpg
597918_071129_hadley_05.jpg

CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images News

CHIP SOMODEVILLA/Getty Images News

On Wednesday evening at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley spoke broadly about freedom and the Middle East. His prepared remarks (pdf) weren’t too surprising—the key point was that the time is right to push for peace because Israel is becoming more receptive to the idea of a Palestinian state, the Palestinians are being more cooperative, and Arab states are engaging in the debate.

Hadley did go off script a bit during the Q&A session, though. A SAIS student asked a question about why some Arabic states would support democracy in Iraq when those states are not democracies themselves. Hadley’s answer was pretty standard until he began taking about elections in Iran. But Hadley replaced the “l” in elections with an “r” and instead began to speak about Iranian erections (The audio is here. Right click and save as. It’s around the 38:30 mark).

A harmless slip of the tongue? An attempt to throw off Tehran’s ruling mullahs, who have made it clear that they’re uncomfortable with sexuality? You decide.

David Francis was a staff writer at Foreign Policy from 2014-2017.

More from Foreign Policy

Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.
Children are hooked up to IV drips on the stairs at a children's hospital in Beijing.

Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak

Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.

Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.
Henry Kissinger during an interview in Washington in August 1980.

Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage

The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.

A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.
A Ukrainian soldier in helmet and fatigues holds a cell phone and looks up at the night sky as an explosion lights up the horizon behind him.

The West’s False Choice in Ukraine

The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.

Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi
Illustrated portraits of Reps. MIke Gallagher, right, and Raja Krishnamoorthi

The Masterminds

Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.