Meet Skyler Scoggan
Skyler Max Scoggan is studying International Business Relations and Security Studies at Fletcher. He previously worked with J Street, a political advocacy and lobbying group in Washington D.C. focused on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict via the two state solution. Before that, Skyler worked for a private intelligence company based out of Jerusalem and a Cambodian NGO that monitored the country’s 2013 National Elections. He is originally from Park City, Utah, home of the greatest snow on Earth, and holds a B.S. International Relations and Sports Management from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. His favorite cuisine by far is South Asian.
Why do you want to go to Pakistan?
On page 3 of every Pakistani passport there is a distinct inscription that states: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.” It is a statement that is incompatible with the mindset of students at Fletcher and the mission of “building bridges.” As far-fetched as it may sound in the present, Israel and Pakistan will have diplomatic relations one day in the future, whether 10 years from now or 50 - it is inevitable. I believe that relationship, like most international relationships, can only be improved through grassroots understanding. I do not aim to challenge the inscription but to learn the most about Pakistan during this trip so that when the day does come where relations are progressing towards normalization, I can be there to lobby first hand or at least offer support for the idea of an official Pakistani-Israeli relationship. Like with Israel, there are a ton of misconceptions about Pakistan that I hope to dispel first hand and this trek, without a doubt, offers me the best - and likely only chance - to do so. Firsthand experience and interactions with Pakistanis from the government, business community and citizenry is priceless to build such bridges and resist past biases. That is a large part of my desire to partake but it is not the only one. This is a tremendous practical and personal opportunity as well. Objectively, Pakistan’s strategic, cultural, and political value is vital to the world. The unique security environment and its evolving political and economic situation is necessary to understand for my future career, wherever it may be. Whether in politics, development, or security, discovering Pakistan is incredibly relevant.