Investigative Journalist & Screenwriter; Whistleblower in UN Oil-for-Food Scandal; Author of "Backstabbing for Beginners"
Michael Soussan Biography
Michael Soussan is a Danish-born journalist, screenwriter, and producer whose career spans international diplomacy, investigative reporting, and Hollywood storytelling. Soussan studied international affairs at Brown University, where he founded The Brown Journal of World Affairs, a magazine focused on foreign policy and international relations. He earned a master's degree from Sciences-Po in Paris and later pursued film studies at New York University. As a public speaker, screenwriter, book author, and journalist in television, print, and digital media, Soussan has worked as a professional communicator across a range of platforms, including Capitol Hill and K Street in Washington, D.C., the United Nations, and CNN in New York.
Soussan is known as the whistleblower who exposed one of the most significant corruption scandals in United Nations history. While serving as a program coordinator for the United Nations' Iraq Program, he uncovered a conspiracy described by PBS NewsHour as the "largest financial scandal in UN history." Soussan's actions led to a major corruption probe into the Oil-for-Food program, revealing a global system of bribes, kickbacks, and blackmail involving international power players. He detailed this experience in his memoir, "Backstabbing for Beginners: My Crash Course in International Diplomacy," which was recognized by Wall Street Journal as a Book of the Year and is regarded as a key account of institutional corruption and ethics in global affairs.
The memoir served as the basis for the feature film "Backstabbing for Beginners," starring Ben Kingsley and Theo James and directed by Per Fly Plejdrup. In addition to this project, Soussan is credited for "The Accomplice" and "Paradise Highway." As a lead writer and co-creator, he also developed M.A.D., a Cold War thriller series exploring the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction and the behind-the-scenes intrigue at the United Nations during the late 1950s and early 1960s, focusing on true stories and historical events.
Soussan's writing has appeared in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Time, NPR, BBC, and other international media outlets. He has reported from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Congo, contributing to International Herald Tribune and providing intelligence reports for specialized consultancies. Soussan has appeared as a commentator on CNN, BBC, SKY News, NPR, Fox News, Washington Post podcast, and various international television and radio platforms. His expertise in global affairs, anti-corruption, and crisis diplomacy has led to speaking engagements at the Council on Foreign Relations, London School of Economics, Harvard Club of New York, Johns Hopkins University, The World Affairs Council, and testimony before the House International Relations Committee. Additional engagements include Morgan Stanley Torch Talks, Google Talks, YouTube Build, Transparency International, and a United States Central Command conference focused on narrative strategies to counter extremist messaging.
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What topics does Michael Soussan speak about?
Michael Soussan is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Bestselling Authors, Journalist, News & Media, Non-Fiction Authors, Television & Film, World Affairs -
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Michael Soussan is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael Soussan for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Michael Soussan generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Vijay Prashad, Janine di Giovanni, Fariba Nawa, Asra Nomani and Bernard Baumohl. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael Soussan for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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