Jiří Pehe is a political analyst and author. He has written articles and analytical studies on Eastern Europe issues for American, Czech and German periodicals and academic journals. He is also author of several books. Jiří Pehe is currently Director of the New York University in Prague. From September 1997 to May 1999 Pehe was Director of the Political Department of Czech President Václav Havel and later served as President Havel’s adviser. From 1995 to 1997, Pehe was Director of Analysis and Research Department at the Open Media Research Institute in Prague. Between 1988 and 1995, he first worked as an analyst of Central European affairs and later as Director of Central European Research at the Research Institute of RFE-RL in Munich, Germany. From 1985 to 1988, Pehe was Director of East European Studies at Freedom House in New York.