Jiří Pehe

JIŘÍ PEHE is a Czech political scientist, author, and commentator, known for his contributions to both public policy and literature. He served as Director of New York University Prague from 1999 to 2025 and was the chief political adviser to President Václav Havel from 1997 to 1999. He holds degrees in law and philosophy from Charles University in Prague and political science from Columbia University. Alongside his academic and political work, Pehe is the author of several novels and collections of essays. His fiction explores themes of memory, identity, and totalitarianism. His debut novel, Na okraji zmizelého (2006), reflects on exile and loss, while Tři tváře anděla (Three Faces of an Angel, 2009) spans three generations to examine Central European history through personal narratives. Other works include Mimořádná událost (2013) and numerous political essays. He recently published a novel titled Zpráva posledního člověka. Pehe is also a frequent media commentator and columnist, publishing analyses on Czech and international politics. In 2020, he was awarded the Novinářská cena (Czech Journalism Award) for excellence in political commentary. He has written extensively on democratic development in Central Europe.

Last edited September, 2025.