A Conversation with Michael Scott Moore

Join Young Professionals in Foreign Policy: Los Angeles (YPFP:LA) for an intimate evening conversation with journalist and author Michael Scott Moore, best known for his memoir The Desert and the Sea.

Moore’s work as a foreign correspondent has taken him across the globe, reporting for publications including The New Yorker, Foreign Policy, and The Atlantic. In 2012, he was kidnapped by Somali pirates and held captive for 977 days—an experience he later chronicled in his critically acclaimed memoir. His story has since shaped public understanding of modern piracy and informed conversations around U.S. hostage policy.

This fireside chat will feature a moderated discussion exploring Moore’s career in journalism, the realities of reporting from high-risk regions, and the personal and political insights drawn from his time in captivity. The conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with the speaker.

Designed for journalists, writers, and those interested in global affairs, this event offers a rare chance to hear from an accomplished storyteller in an intimate, community-focused setting.