Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
Encyclopedia
In America, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs or ASD(ISA) is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
(USD(P)) and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest related to the governments and defense establishments of the nations and international organizations of Europe (including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the Middle East, and Africa. The ASD(ISA) also oversees security cooperation programs and foreign military sales programs in these regions. Despite the broad title of the offce, the ASD(ISA) does not develop policy related to Asia, the Pacific region, Latin America, or South America.
The ASD(ISA) is supported by four Deputy Assistant Secretaries (DASDs), each with coverage of a different region. The DASDs manage "principal directors" who in turn oversee "country directors" with more narrow geographic portfolios:
The ASD(ISA) also oversees the DoD representative in the U.S. Mission to NATO, and the DoD representative to the OSCE
DASDs are appointed by the Secretary of Defense. Some are appointed from civilian life, while others are career defense officials. Once at the DASD level, the latter are considered a part of the DoD Senior Executive Service
.
The ASD(ISA) is also supported by a Principal Deputy, or PDASD, who helps manage the day-to-day operations of the four DASDs and the NATO rep.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is a high level civilian official in the United States Department of Defense. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff assistant and adviser to both the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense for all matters...
(USD(P)) and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest related to the governments and defense establishments of the nations and international organizations of Europe (including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the Middle East, and Africa. The ASD(ISA) also oversees security cooperation programs and foreign military sales programs in these regions. Despite the broad title of the offce, the ASD(ISA) does not develop policy related to Asia, the Pacific region, Latin America, or South America.
Responsibilities
According to a description provided by the Office of the USD (P), the ASD(ISA) shall:- Conduct and manage day-to-day, multilateral, regional, and bilateral defense relations with all foreign governments in assigned areas of responsibility.
- Develop regional security and defense strategy and policy, provide advice, and issue guidance to translate global and functional policies into regional-specific country strategies, and oversee their implementation in coordination with cognizant DoD officials.
- For countries in assigned areas of responsibility, develop, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of:
- Defense security policy and management of defense and military relations
- Policy, plans, and activities, as well as uses of DoD resources engaged in encouraging the development of military capabilities, constitutional democracy and respect for human rights, including civilian control of the military, institutionalizing an appropriate role for the military in a constitutional democracy, and encouraging the development of standards of military professionalism that promote respect for elected civilian authorities and human rights.
- DoD policy and recommendations concerning security cooperation programs and organizations, foreign military sales, military education and training, and other missions pertaining to security cooperation program relationships.
- Develop, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of policy related to NATO, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the Partnership for Peace, and other institutions with a security dimension including the European Union, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the African Union.
- Provide policy guidance and oversight to the Defense Advisor, U.S. Mission to NATO, and Representative of the Secretary of Defense Representative to the OSCE on behalf of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Promote coordination, cooperation, and joint planning on nuclear policy and strategy with NATO Allies, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities.
- Support the NATO Nuclear Planning Group and its subordinate body, the High Level Group and chair the High Level Group.
- Represent the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense in interagency policy deliberations and international negotiations dealing with assigned areas of responsibility.
- Monitor and provide policy recommendations related to the conduct of U.S. military operations in the countries or regions of focus or on the participation of such countries in operations outside of the region.
- Perform such other functions as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy or the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.
Office Holders
The table below includes both the various titles of this post over time, as well as all the holders of those offices.| Name | Tenure | SecDef(s) Served Under | President(s) Served Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) | |||
| John H. Ohly | March 27, 1949 - December 1, 1949 | Louis A. Johnson Louis A. Johnson Louis Arthur Johnson was the second United States Secretary of Defense, serving in the cabinet of President Harry S. Truman from March 28, 1949 to September 19, 1950.... |
Harry Truman |
| Maj. Gen. James H. Burns (USA) United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services... |
December 6, 1949 - August 27, 1951 | Louis A. Johnson Louis A. Johnson Louis Arthur Johnson was the second United States Secretary of Defense, serving in the cabinet of President Harry S. Truman from March 28, 1949 to September 19, 1950.... George C. Marshall |
Harry Truman |
| Frank C. Nash | August 28, 1951 - February 10, 1953 | George C. Marshall Robert A. Lovett Robert A. Lovett Robert Abercrombie Lovett was the fourth United States Secretary of Defense, serving in the cabinet of President Harry S. Truman from 1951 to 1953 and in this capacity, directed the Korean War. Promoted to the position from deputy secretary of defense Domhoff described Lovett as a "Cold War... Charles E. Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson , American businessman and politician, was United States Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Eisenhower. Known as "Engine Charlie", he previously worked as CEO for General Motors. In the wake of the Korean War, he cut the defense budget significantly.-Early... |
Harry Truman Dwight Eisenhower |
| Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) | |||
| Frank C. Nash | February 11, 1953 - February 28, 1954 | Charles E. Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson , American businessman and politician, was United States Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Eisenhower. Known as "Engine Charlie", he previously worked as CEO for General Motors. In the wake of the Korean War, he cut the defense budget significantly.-Early... |
Dwight Eisenhower |
| H. Struve Hensel H. Struve Hensel Herman Struve Hensel was an American international lawyer who served in several senior positions in the Department of the Navy and the Department of Defense from 1941 to 1946 and from 1952 to 1955.-Biography:... |
March 5, 1954 - June 30, 1955 | Charles E. Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson , American businessman and politician, was United States Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Eisenhower. Known as "Engine Charlie", he previously worked as CEO for General Motors. In the wake of the Korean War, he cut the defense budget significantly.-Early... |
Dwight Eisenhower |
| Gordon Gray | July 14, 1955 - February 27, 1957 | Charles E. Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson , American businessman and politician, was United States Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Eisenhower. Known as "Engine Charlie", he previously worked as CEO for General Motors. In the wake of the Korean War, he cut the defense budget significantly.-Early... |
Dwight Eisenhower |
| Mansfield D. Sprague | February 28, 1957 - October 3, 1958 | Charles E. Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson Charles Erwin Wilson , American businessman and politician, was United States Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Eisenhower. Known as "Engine Charlie", he previously worked as CEO for General Motors. In the wake of the Korean War, he cut the defense budget significantly.-Early... Neil H. McElroy Neil H. McElroy Neil Hosler McElroy was United States Secretary of Defense from 1957 to 1959 under President Eisenhower. He had been president of Procter & Gamble.- Early life :... |
Dwight Eisenhower |
| John N. Irwin II | October 4, 1958 - January 20, 1961 | Neil H. McElroy Neil H. McElroy Neil Hosler McElroy was United States Secretary of Defense from 1957 to 1959 under President Eisenhower. He had been president of Procter & Gamble.- Early life :... Thomas S. Gates |
Dwight Eisenhower |
| Paul H. Nitze Paul Nitze Paul Henry Nitze was a high-ranking United States government official who helped shape Cold War defense policy over the course of numerous presidential administrations.-Early life, education, and family:... |
January 29, 1961 - November 29, 1963 | Robert S. McNamara | John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.... Lyndon Johnson |
| William P. Bundy William Bundy William Putnam "Bill" Bundy was a member of the CIA and foreign affairs advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He had a key role in planning the Vietnam War. After leaving government service he became a historian.-Early years:Raised in Boston, Massachusetts he came from a... |
November 29, 1963 - March 14, 1964 | Robert S. McNamara | Lyndon Johnson |
| John T. McNaughton John McNaughton (government official) John Theodore McNaughton born in Pekin, Illinois was United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and Robert S. McNamara's closest advisor... |
July 1, 1964 - July 19, 1967 | Robert S. McNamara | Lyndon Johnson |
| Paul C. Warnke Paul Warnke Paul Culliton Warnke was a United States diplomat.He was born in Webster, Massachusetts but spent most of his childhood in Marlborough, Massachusetts, where his father managed a shoe factory. He attended Yale University, fought in World War II for five years in the United States Coast Guard, and... |
August 1, 1967 - February 15, 1969 | Robert S. McNamara Clark M. Clifford Melvin R. Laird Melvin R. Laird Melvin Robert Laird is an American politician and writer. Laird was a Republican congressman who also served as Richard Nixon's Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1973. Laird urged Nixon to maintain a policy of withdrawing US soldiers from Vietnam... |
Lyndon Johnson Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... |
| G. Warren Nutter G. Warren Nutter G. Warren Nutter was a U.S. economist, known primarily for his work on political economy, industrial concentration, price theory, and Soviet economic history, and for co-founding the "Virginia school of political economy".-Biography:... |
March 4, 1969 - January 30, 1973 | Melvin R. Laird Melvin R. Laird Melvin Robert Laird is an American politician and writer. Laird was a Republican congressman who also served as Richard Nixon's Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1973. Laird urged Nixon to maintain a policy of withdrawing US soldiers from Vietnam... Elliot L. Richardson |
Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... |
| Lawrence Eagleburger Lawrence Eagleburger Lawrence Sidney Eagleburger was an American statesman and former career diplomat, who served briefly as the United States Secretary of State under President George H. W. Bush. Previously, he had served in lesser capacities under Presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.... (Acting) |
January 31, 1973 - May 10, 1973 | Elliot L. Richardson | Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... |
| Robert C. Hill Robert C. Hill Robert Charles Hill was a United States diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to several Latin American countries and Spain throughout his career... |
May 11, 1973 - January 5, 1974 | Elliot L. Richardson James R. Schlesinger James R. Schlesinger Dr. James Rodney Schlesinger is an American politician. He is best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford... |
Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... |
| Vice Adm. Ray Peet (Acting) | January 6, 1974 - April 1, 1974 | James R. Schlesinger James R. Schlesinger Dr. James Rodney Schlesinger is an American politician. He is best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford... |
Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... |
| Amos A. Jordan (Acting) | April 2, 1974 - June 4, 1974 | James R. Schlesinger James R. Schlesinger Dr. James Rodney Schlesinger is an American politician. He is best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford... |
Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... |
| Robert Ellsworth | June 5, 1974 - December 22, 1975 | James R. Schlesinger James R. Schlesinger Dr. James Rodney Schlesinger is an American politician. He is best known for serving as Secretary of Defense from 1973 to 1975 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford... Donald H. Rumsfeld |
Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... Gerald Ford Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974... |
| Amos A. Jordan (Acting) | December 23, 1975 - May 5, 1976 | Donald H. Rumsfeld | Gerald Ford Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974... |
| Eugene V. McAuliffe | May 6, 1976 - April 1, 1977 | Donald H. Rumsfeld Harold Brown Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense) Harold Brown , American scientist, was U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1977 to 1981 in the cabinet of President Jimmy Carter. He had previously served in the Lyndon Johnson administration as Director of Defense Research and Engineering and Secretary of the Air Force.While Secretary of Defense, he... |
Gerald Ford Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974... Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office... |
| David E. McGiffert David E. McGiffert David E. McGiffert was a United States lawyer and Pentagon official who dealt with domestic security during the social upheavals of the late 1960s.-Biography:... |
April 4, 1977 - January 20, 1981 | Harold Brown Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense) Harold Brown , American scientist, was U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1977 to 1981 in the cabinet of President Jimmy Carter. He had previously served in the Lyndon Johnson administration as Director of Defense Research and Engineering and Secretary of the Air Force.While Secretary of Defense, he... |
Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office... |
| Francis J. West, Jr. Bing West Francis J. "Bing" West is an author and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs during the Reagan Administration. His 2004 book The March Up: Taking Baghdad with the First Marine Division, written with United States Marine Corps General Ray L... |
April 4, 1981 - April 1, 1983 | Caspar W. Weinberger | Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... |
| Richard L. Armitage Richard Armitage (politician) Richard Lee Armitage, GCMG AC CNZM was the 13th United States Deputy Secretary of State, the second-in-command at the State Department, serving from 2001 to 2005.-Early life and military career:... |
April 2, 1983 - June 5, 1983 (Acting) June 5, 1983 - June 5, 1989 |
Caspar W. Weinberger Frank C. Carlucci III William H. Taft IV William Howard Taft IV William Howard Taft IV is an attorney who has served in the United States government under several Republican administrations. He is the son of William Howard Taft III and the great-grandson of U.S. President William Howard Taft.... (Acting) Richard B. Cheney |
Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... George H. W. Bush George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to... |
| Henry S. Rowen Henry Rowen Henry S. Rowen is an American politician, economist, and academician.- Early years :Rowen was born in Boston in 1925. He attended M.I.T. and graduated with a bachelor's in industrial management in 1949... |
June 26, 1989 - July 31, 1991 | Richard B. Cheney | George H. W. Bush George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to... |
| James R. Lilley James R. Lilley James Roderick Lilley ; born January 15, 1928 in Qingdao, China; died November 12, 2009 in Washington, DC; was an American diplomat who served as United States Ambassador to China at the time of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.... |
December 12, 1991 - January 20, 1993 | Richard B. Cheney | George H. W. Bush George H. W. Bush George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to... |
| Assistant Secretary of Defense (Regional Security Affairs) | |||
| Charles W. Freeman, Jr. Charles W. Freeman, Jr. Charles W. Freeman, Jr. is an American diplomat, author, and writer. He has served for the State and Defense Departments in many different capacities in the past thirty years, with the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs calling his career "remarkably varied"... |
July 6, 1993 - April 11, 1994 | Leslie Aspin, Jr. Les Aspin Leslie "Les" Aspin, Jr. was a United States Representative from 1971 to 1993, and the United States Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton from January 21, 1993 to February 3, 1994.-Early life:... William J. Perry |
William Clinton William Clinton Bill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States. William Clinton may also refer to:*William de Clinton, 1st Earl of Huntingdon , English nobleman from prominent Norman family dating to William the Conqueror; Lord High Admiral as of 1333*William Henry Clinton , British general from... |
| Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) | |||
| Charles W. Freeman, Jr. Charles W. Freeman, Jr. Charles W. Freeman, Jr. is an American diplomat, author, and writer. He has served for the State and Defense Departments in many different capacities in the past thirty years, with the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs calling his career "remarkably varied"... |
April 11, 1994 - September 14, 1994 | William J. Perry | William Clinton William Clinton Bill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States. William Clinton may also refer to:*William de Clinton, 1st Earl of Huntingdon , English nobleman from prominent Norman family dating to William the Conqueror; Lord High Admiral as of 1333*William Henry Clinton , British general from... |
| Joseph S. Nye, Jr. Joseph Nye Joseph Samuel Nye, Jr. is the co-founder, along with Robert Keohane, of the international relations theory neoliberalism, developed in their 1977 book Power and Interdependence. Together with Keohane, he developed the concepts of asymmetrical and complex interdependence... |
September 15, 1994 - December 16, 1995 | William J. Perry | William Clinton William Clinton Bill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States. William Clinton may also refer to:*William de Clinton, 1st Earl of Huntingdon , English nobleman from prominent Norman family dating to William the Conqueror; Lord High Admiral as of 1333*William Henry Clinton , British general from... |
| Franklin D. Kramer | March 29, 1996 - February 16, 2001 | William J. Perry William S. Cohen Donald H. Rumsfeld |
William Clinton William Clinton Bill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States. William Clinton may also refer to:*William de Clinton, 1st Earl of Huntingdon , English nobleman from prominent Norman family dating to William the Conqueror; Lord High Admiral as of 1333*William Henry Clinton , British general from... George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000.... |
| Peter W. Rodman Peter Rodman Peter Warren Rodman was a lawyer, government official and foreign policy expert.Born in Boston, he was educated at The Roxbury Latin School, and later at Harvard College , Oxford University , and Harvard Law School... |
July 16, 2001 - March 2, 2007 | Donald H. Rumsfeld Robert M. Gates |
George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000.... |
| Mary Beth Long Mary Beth Long Mary Beth Long was United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs from 2007 to 2009.-Biography:Mary Beth Long was educated at Pennsylvania State University, receiving a B.A. in communication studies in 1985... |
March 3, 2007 - December 21, 2007 (Acting) December 21, 2007 - January 2009 |
Robert M. Gates | George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000.... |
| Alexander R. Vershbow Alexander Vershbow Alexander Russell "Sandy" Vershbow is an American Assistant Secretary of Defense and diplomat.Until October 2008, he was the United States Ambassador to South Korea; he was appointed to the position in October 2005. Before that post he had been the ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2001 to... |
April 3, 2009 - | Robert M. Gates | Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... |
Structure
This office can trace its roots back to the early days of the modern national security establishment. It was created in 1949, two years after the National Security Act established the Department of Defense.The ASD(ISA) is supported by four Deputy Assistant Secretaries (DASDs), each with coverage of a different region. The DASDs manage "principal directors" who in turn oversee "country directors" with more narrow geographic portfolios:
- DASD Middle East
- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait
- Israel, Palestine
- Egypt, Jordan
- Iraq
- Iran, Syria, Lebanon
- Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
- DASD Africa
- DASD Europe & Nato
- DASD Russia, Ukraine & Eurasia
The ASD(ISA) also oversees the DoD representative in the U.S. Mission to NATO, and the DoD representative to the OSCE
DASDs are appointed by the Secretary of Defense. Some are appointed from civilian life, while others are career defense officials. Once at the DASD level, the latter are considered a part of the DoD Senior Executive Service
Senior Executive Service
The Senior Executive Service is a paygrade in the civil service of the United States federal government, somewhat analogous to the ranks of general or admiral in the U.S. armed forces...
.
The ASD(ISA) is also supported by a Principal Deputy, or PDASD, who helps manage the day-to-day operations of the four DASDs and the NATO rep.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretaries for International Security Affairs
| Name | Tenure | ASD(ISA) Served Under | USD(P) Served Under | SecDef(s) Served Under | President(s) Served Under |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph McMillan | May 2009 - | Alexander R. Vershbow Alexander Vershbow Alexander Russell "Sandy" Vershbow is an American Assistant Secretary of Defense and diplomat.Until October 2008, he was the United States Ambassador to South Korea; he was appointed to the position in October 2005. Before that post he had been the ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2001 to... |
Michele Flournoy Michele Flournoy Michèle Angelique Flournoy is Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States. She was confirmed in the position by the U.S. Senate on February 9, 2009 and was at the time the highest-ranking woman to hold a post at the Pentagon in the facility's history. She founded and was named... |
Robert M. Gates | Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... |
Deputy Assistant Secretaries of Defense Reporting to the ASD(ISA)
The list below details the current DASDs in this office.| Name | Tenure | ASD(ISA) Served Under | USD(P) Served Under | SecDef(s) Served Under | President(s) Served Under |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Offices | |||||
| DASD(ISA), Middle East | |||||
| Colin Kahl | April 2009 - | Alexander R. Vershbow Alexander Vershbow Alexander Russell "Sandy" Vershbow is an American Assistant Secretary of Defense and diplomat.Until October 2008, he was the United States Ambassador to South Korea; he was appointed to the position in October 2005. Before that post he had been the ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2001 to... |
Michele Flournoy Michele Flournoy Michèle Angelique Flournoy is Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States. She was confirmed in the position by the U.S. Senate on February 9, 2009 and was at the time the highest-ranking woman to hold a post at the Pentagon in the facility's history. She founded and was named... |
Robert M. Gates | Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... |
| DASD(ISA), Africa | |||||
| Vicki Huddleston | June 2009 - | Alexander R. Vershbow Alexander Vershbow Alexander Russell "Sandy" Vershbow is an American Assistant Secretary of Defense and diplomat.Until October 2008, he was the United States Ambassador to South Korea; he was appointed to the position in October 2005. Before that post he had been the ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2001 to... |
Michele Flournoy Michele Flournoy Michèle Angelique Flournoy is Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States. She was confirmed in the position by the U.S. Senate on February 9, 2009 and was at the time the highest-ranking woman to hold a post at the Pentagon in the facility's history. She founded and was named... |
Robert M. Gates | Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... |
| DASD(ISA), Europe & NATO | |||||
| James Townsend Jr. | April 2009 - | Alexander R. Vershbow Alexander Vershbow Alexander Russell "Sandy" Vershbow is an American Assistant Secretary of Defense and diplomat.Until October 2008, he was the United States Ambassador to South Korea; he was appointed to the position in October 2005. Before that post he had been the ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2001 to... |
Michele Flournoy Michele Flournoy Michèle Angelique Flournoy is Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States. She was confirmed in the position by the U.S. Senate on February 9, 2009 and was at the time the highest-ranking woman to hold a post at the Pentagon in the facility's history. She founded and was named... |
Robert M. Gates | Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... |
| DASD(ISA), Russia, Ukraine & Eurasia | |||||
| Celeste A. Wallander | June 2009 - | Alexander R. Vershbow Alexander Vershbow Alexander Russell "Sandy" Vershbow is an American Assistant Secretary of Defense and diplomat.Until October 2008, he was the United States Ambassador to South Korea; he was appointed to the position in October 2005. Before that post he had been the ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2001 to... |
Michele Flournoy Michele Flournoy Michèle Angelique Flournoy is Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States. She was confirmed in the position by the U.S. Senate on February 9, 2009 and was at the time the highest-ranking woman to hold a post at the Pentagon in the facility's history. She founded and was named... |
Robert M. Gates | Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... |
See also
Under Secretary of Defense for PolicyUnder Secretary of Defense for Policy
The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is a high level civilian official in the United States Department of Defense. The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff assistant and adviser to both the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense for all matters...
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs, or ASD, is a position in the Office of the Secretary of Defense that develops policy for the Secretary on countering weapons of mass destruction, nuclear forces and missile defense, cyber security and space issues...
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, or ASD is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest that relate to the governments and defense...
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs, or ASD, is responsible for the supervision of DoD homeland defense activities, defense support of civil authorities, and Western Hemisphere security affairs for the Department of Defense. The position was...