His earlier assignments included Italy, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, the United Nations, and the Holy See (Vatican City). More recently he has served as ambassador to Algeria (1997-2000) and South Africa (2001-2004) and as chargé d’affaires to Sudan.

 

Hume has published three books: The United Nations, Iran and Iraq : How Peacemaking Changed (1994); Ending Mozambique's War: The Role of Mediation and Good Offices (1994); and Mission to Algiers: Diplomacy by Engagement (2006). He has been a fellow or guest scholar at the Council on Foreign Relations, Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs, and the United States Institute for Peace.

 

Hume is a lawyer and admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia. His foreign languages include Arabic, French, and Italian.

 

In March 2006, it was reported that the State Department recalled Hume, then US chargé d’affairs to Sudan, after he was accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Hume reportedly said to a Sudanese businessman in a reception at the US embassy in Khartoum “go and tell this to your government and your prophet.”

 

Sudan: Washington Recalls US Envoy (Sudan Tribune)