Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs is a position within the American
Department of State that leads the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
charged with implementing American foreign policy in Europe
and Eurasia
, and with advising the Under Secretary for Political Affairs
on matters relating to diplomatic missions within that area. The current Assistant Secretary is Philip Gordon
.
Originally, the Department of State first established a Division of Western European Affairs in 1909, which handled European nations primarily bordering on the Atlantic Ocean
and their colonies. The Division of Near Eastern Affairs handled relations with most Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries until after World War I
. During the interwar period, responsibility for much of Central and Eastern Europe shifted to the Division of European Affairs, although Greece
, Turkey
, and Cyprus
were handled as part of the Near East until April 18, 1974. Following World War II
, the Department completed the transfer of responsibility for the former colonies of European nations, except Canada
, to the Bureaus of Near Eastern, South Asian, African Affairs, and Far Eastern Affairs.
The Department of State later established the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs in 1949. This came after the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of Government, also known as the Hoover Commission
, recommended that certain offices be upgraded to bureau level after Congress had increased the number of Assistant Secretaries of State from six to ten. On September 14, 1983, an administrative action changed the title of the incumbent to Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs. On January 12, 1999, the title was changed back to Assistant Secretary for European Affairs. During the George W. Bush
administration, A. Elizabeth Jones
was sworn in with the title of Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Department of State that leads the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs
In the United States Government, the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs is part of the U.S. Department of State, charged with implementing U.S. foreign policy and promoting U.S. interests in Europe and Eurasia , as well as advising the Under Secretary for Political Affairs...
charged with implementing American foreign policy in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
, and with advising the Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Under Secretary for Political Affairs
The Under Secretary for Political Affairs is the third ranking position in the United States Department of State, after the Secretary and the Deputy Secretaries...
on matters relating to diplomatic missions within that area. The current Assistant Secretary is Philip Gordon
Philip Gordon
Philip H. "Phil" Gordon is an American diplomat, foreign policy expert, and the current Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.-Education:...
.
Originally, the Department of State first established a Division of Western European Affairs in 1909, which handled European nations primarily bordering on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and their colonies. The Division of Near Eastern Affairs handled relations with most Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries until after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. During the interwar period, responsibility for much of Central and Eastern Europe shifted to the Division of European Affairs, although Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, and Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
were handled as part of the Near East until April 18, 1974. Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Department completed the transfer of responsibility for the former colonies of European nations, except Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, to the Bureaus of Near Eastern, South Asian, African Affairs, and Far Eastern Affairs.
The Department of State later established the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs in 1949. This came after the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of Government, also known as the Hoover Commission
Hoover Commission
The Hoover Commission, officially named the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government, was a body appointed by President Harry S. Truman in 1947 to recommend administrative changes in the Federal Government of the United States...
, recommended that certain offices be upgraded to bureau level after Congress had increased the number of Assistant Secretaries of State from six to ten. On September 14, 1983, an administrative action changed the title of the incumbent to Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs. On January 12, 1999, the title was changed back to Assistant Secretary for European Affairs. During the 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....
administration, A. Elizabeth Jones
A. Elizabeth Jones
A. Elizabeth Jones served as the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, from 1995 to 1997. She served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia in 2003. She was promoted to the rank of Career Ambassador in 2004....
was sworn in with the title of Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
List of Assistant Secretaries of State for European Affairs, 1949—1983
| Name | Assumed Office | Left Office | President President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Walbridge Perkins, Jr. George Walbridge Perkins, Jr. George Walbridge Perkins, Jr. was an American diplomat who served as Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs from 1949 to 1953 and as United States Permanent Representative to NATO from 1955 to 1957.-Life and career:... |
August 1, 1949 | January 31, 1953 | Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his... |
| Livingston T. Merchant Livingston T. Merchant Livingston Tallmadge Merchant was a United States official and diplomat. He twice served as United States ambassador to Canada and was Under Secretary for Political Affairs from 1959 to 1961.... |
March 16, 1953 | May 6, 1956 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army... |
| James W. Riddleberger | Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army... |
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| Charles Burke Elbrick Charles Burke Elbrick Charles Burke Elbrick, , was a United States diplomat and career foreign service officer. During his career, he served three ambassadorships in various parts of the world, in addition to many other minor postings.Elbrick was the son of Charles Elbrick and his Irish wife, Lillian Burke... |
February 14, 1957 | November 16, 1958 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army... |
| Livingston T. Merchant Livingston T. Merchant Livingston Tallmadge Merchant was a United States official and diplomat. He twice served as United States ambassador to Canada and was Under Secretary for Political Affairs from 1959 to 1961.... |
November 18, 1958 | August 20, 1959 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army... |
| Walter C. Dowling Walter C. Dowling Walter Cecil Dowling was the United States Ambassador to West Germany from 1959–1963 and the US Ambassador to South Korea from 1956-1959.... |
Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army... |
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| Foy D. Kohler Foy D. Kohler Foy David Kohler was an American diplomat and career Foreign Service Officer who was Ambassador to the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis.- Early life :... |
December 11, 1959 | August 19, 1962 | Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army... and 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.... |
| William R. Tyler William R. Tyler William R. Tyler was a United States diplomat.-Biography:William R. Tyler was born in Paris in 1910. His father was an American and his mother was an Italian, Countess Elisina de Castelvecchio... |
September 2, 1962 | May 18, 1965 | 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.... and Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States... |
| John M. Leddy John M. Leddy John Marshall Leddy was an official in the United States Department of State, who mainly focused on U.S. trade policy.-Biography:... |
June 16, 1965 | February 19, 1969 | Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States... |
| Martin J. Hillenbrand Martin J. Hillenbrand Martin Joseph Hillenbrand was an American diplomat who served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1972 to 1976.-Career:... |
February 20, 1969 | April 30, 1972 | 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... |
| Walter John Stoessel, Jr. Walter John Stoessel, Jr. Walter John Stoessel, Jr. was a U.S. diplomat.Stoessel was born in Manhattan, Kansas, and attended high school in California. He graduated from Stanford University in 1941 and later undertook graduate studies at Columbia University.Stoessel served as the U.S. ambassador to Poland from 1968 to... |
August 9, 1972 | January 7, 1974 | 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... |
| Arthur A. Hartman Arthur A. Hartman Arthur Adair Hartman is a retired American career diplomat who served as Ambassador to France under Jimmy Carter and Ambassador to the Soviet Union under Ronald Reagan.-Career:... |
January 8, 1974 | June 8, 1977 | 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... and 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... |
| George S. Vest George S. Vest George Southall Vest is a former United States diplomat and State Department official.-Biography:George S. Vest was born in Columbia, Virginia, and educated at the University of Virginia, graduating with a B.A. in 1941. Upon leaving college, Vest joined the United States Army to serve as a... |
June 16, 1977 | April 14, 1981 | 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... |
| 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.... |
May 14, 1981 | January 26, 1982 | 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.... |
List of Assistant Secretaries of State for European and Canadian Affairs, 1983—1999
| Name | Assumed Office | Left Office | President President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard R. Burt | February 18, 1983 | July 18, 1985 | 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.... |
| Rozanne L. Ridgway Rozanne L. Ridgway Rozanne L. Ridgway served 32 years with the U.S. State Department, holding several posts, including ambassador to Finland and to East Germany, and finished her career as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs... |
July 19, 1985 | June 30, 1989 | 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.... |
| Raymond G. H. Seitz Raymond G. H. Seitz Raymond George Hardenbergh Seitz is a former career diplomat and U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 8, 1940. He graduated from Yale University in 1963 with a BA in history, following which he spent 2 years teaching in Dallas, Texas. He joined the US... |
August 8, 1989 | April 30, 1991 | 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... |
| Thomas Niles Thomas Niles Thomas Michael Tolliver Niles is a diplomat who served as a career Foreign Service Officer and United States Ambassador to Canada , the European Union , and Greece... |
October 3, 1991 | April 1, 1993 | 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... |
| Stephen A. Oxman Stephen A. Oxman Stephen Alan Oxman was United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs from 1993 to 1994.-Biography:... |
April 2, 1993 | August 15, 1994 | Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... |
| Richard Holbrooke Richard Holbrooke Richard Charles Albert Holbrooke was an American diplomat, magazine editor, author, professor, Peace Corps official, and investment banker.... |
September 13, 1994 | February 21, 1996 | Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... |
| John C. Kornblum John C. Kornblum John Christian Kornblum is an American diplomat and businessman. He entered the American Foreign Service in 1964. Over the next thirty five years, he served in Europe and at the State Department in Washington. Since 2001, he has established himself as an investment banker and international... |
July 3, 1996 | August 1, 1997 | Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... |
| Marc Grossman Marc Grossman Marc Grossman is the United States Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. He served as United States Ambassador to Turkey, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.... |
August 5, 1997 | May 31, 2000 | Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... |
List of Assistant Secretaries of State for European Affairs, 1999—2001
The title of "Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs" was changed to "Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs" on January 12, 1999.| Name | Assumed Office | Left Office | President President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Grossman Marc Grossman Marc Grossman is the United States Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. He served as United States Ambassador to Turkey, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.... |
August 5, 1997 | May 31, 2000 | Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... |
| James F. Dobbins James F. Dobbins James Francis Dobbins, Jr. is a diplomat and former United States Ambassador to the European Union and Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs . He is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy.... |
January 4, 2001 | Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... and 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.... |
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| A. Elizabeth Jones A. Elizabeth Jones A. Elizabeth Jones served as the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, from 1995 to 1997. She served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia in 2003. She was promoted to the rank of Career Ambassador in 2004.... |
June 1, 2001 | February 28, 2005 | 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.... |
List of Assistant Secretaries of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, 2001—Present
The title of "Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs" was changed to "Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs" on August 8, 2001.| Name | Assumed Office | Left Office | President President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Elizabeth Jones A. Elizabeth Jones A. Elizabeth Jones served as the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, from 1995 to 1997. She served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia in 2003. She was promoted to the rank of Career Ambassador in 2004.... |
June 1, 2001 | February 28, 2005 | 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.... |
| Daniel Fried Daniel Fried Daniel Fried is a senior career diplomat of the United States who carries the rank of Ambassador. He is presently serving as a Special Envoy to facilitate the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp located in Cuba. Previously, he was the top U.S. diplomat in Europe, and prior to that he was... |
May 5, 2005 | 2009 | 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.... |
| Philip Gordon | May 15, 2009 | 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... |
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