President Joe Biden is nominating Kurt Campbell, a top adviser on Asia to serve as the State Department’s second-ranking diplomat, the White House said Wednesday, elevating one of the architects of the administration’s efforts to develop a more Asia-focused foreign policy.
Quick Read
Kurt Campbell’s Nomination as Deputy Secretary of State
- Presidential Nomination: President Biden has nominated Kurt Campbell, a key Asia policy advisor, to the role of Deputy Secretary of State.
- Current Role: Campbell serves as the deputy assistant to the President and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council.
- Key Contributions:
- Instrumental in revitalizing the diplomatic coalition of the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India.
- Played a significant role in mitigating tensions between South Korea and Japan.
- Influential in shaping U.S. policies towards China.
- Expected Succession: If confirmed, Campbell will succeed Wendy Sherman, who retired in July.
- Professional Background:
- Held the position of assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs during Obama’s tenure.
- Served as deputy assistant defense secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs.
- Has experience as a White House fellow and director of the Democracy Office at the NSC under the Clinton administration.
- Endorsement: Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, praised Campbell for his dedication and impact on U.S. alliances and strategic global positioning.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden nominates a top adviser on Asia to be State Dept.’s No. 2 diplomat
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
President Joe Biden is nominating a top adviser on Asia to serve as the State Department’s second-ranking diplomat, the White House said Wednesday, elevating one of the architects of the administration’s efforts to develop a more Asia-focused foreign policy.
Kurt Campbell currently is deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council. He has played an important role in helping Biden reinvigorate the diplomatic grouping of the United States, Japan, Australia and India, and has helped to ease historic tensions between South Korea and Japan and shape America’s approach to China.
If confirmed, he would replace Wendy Sherman, who retired in July, as deputy secretary of state.
“Kurt is a tremendous asset,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement. “His passion and commitment to our alliances and partnerships is unquestionably strengthening America’s strategic position in the world and improving our ability to deal with shared challenges.”
Campbell served in President Barack Obama’s administration as the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He also previously was deputy assistant defense secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs, White House fellow at the Treasury Department and director of the Democracy Office at the NSC during the Clinton administration.
