Jiří Pehe

Jiří Pehe (born August 10, 1955, Rokycany) is a Czech political scientist, writer, and analyst. He served as an advisor to Czech President Václav Havel from 1997 to 2003.

Pehe is a graduate of Charles University in Prague. Following the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, he emigrated to the United States in 1981. He studied at the New School for Social Research in New York City, earning a doctorate in political science.

Upon his return to Czechoslovakia after the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Pehe became the director of the Central European Research Institute (CERI) in Prague. He later served as an analyst for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Pehe is a commentator on Czech and Central European politics, contributing to numerous publications. He is the author of several books, focusing on Czech politics, Central European history, and democratic transitions. His work often analyzes the interplay between politics, economics, and society in the post-communist era.

He is known for his insightful commentary and critical analysis of contemporary political issues facing the Czech Republic and the broader region.