James Steinberg
Encyclopedia
James Braidy "Jim" Steinberg (born July 5, 1953) is an American academic and political advisor, and former Deputy Secretary of State. He is currently Dean and Professor of Social Science, International Affairs, and Law at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
at Syracuse University
.
(1970), Harvard College
(1973), and Yale Law School
(1978). His previous positions included a senior fellowship for US Strategic Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies
in London
, UK (1985–1987), and senior analyst at RAND Corporation (1989–1993).
into office, Steinberg worked on the presidential campaign of the Carter-Mondale ticket.
(1994–1996), then Deputy National Security Advisor
(December 1996–2001) to US President Bill Clinton
. He also served on the Project on National Security Reform
's Guiding Coalition.
in Washington, D.C.
and the Institution's vice president and director of Foreign Policy Studies (2001–2005). Steinberg was then Dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin (2006–2009) until appointed US Deputy Secretary of State on January 28, 2009, taking a leave of absence from the School for the duration of his term in office.
, were among the principal authors of Barack Obama
’s address on the Middle East
to AIPAC in June 2008, which was viewed as the Democratic Party
nominee’s most expansive on international affairs
.
He was mentioned as being "at the top" of Obama's list of candidates for the post of National Security Advisor
, but Andrea Mitchell
reported on November 24, 2008 that Obama would appoint Steinberg Deputy Secretary of State. On December 23, 2008, Steinberg himself confirmed the appointment in a letter addressed to students and faculty at the Johnson school.
As Deputy Secretary of State and principal Deputy to US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
, Steinberg notably coined the phrase "strategic reassurance" to describe U.S.-China relations
suggestive of the idea that the United States should reassure China about welcoming China's rise while China would reassure the US and its neighbors that it would not conflict with their interests.
at Syracuse University
. On July 28, 2011, he resigned as Deputy Secretary of State and assumed his new position.
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is the public policy school of Syracuse University...
at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
.
Early career
He was educated at Phillips AcademyPhillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
(1970), Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
(1973), and Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
(1978). His previous positions included a senior fellowship for US Strategic Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies
International Institute for Strategic Studies
The International Institute for Strategic Studies is a British research institute in the area of international affairs. It describes itself as "the world’s leading authority on political-military conflict"...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK (1985–1987), and senior analyst at RAND Corporation (1989–1993).
Carter campaign
During the national elections which brought US President Jimmy CarterJimmy 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...
into office, Steinberg worked on the presidential campaign of the Carter-Mondale ticket.
Clinton administration
Steinberg served as US State Department Director of Policy PlanningDirector of Policy Planning
The Director of Policy Planning is the United States Department of State official in charge of the Department's internal think tank, the Policy Planning Staff. The position of Director of Policy Planning has traditionally been held by many members of the U.S. foreign policy establishment...
(1994–1996), then Deputy National Security Advisor
Deputy National Security Advisor
The Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor is a member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, serving as deputy to the President's National Security Advisor....
(December 1996–2001) to US President 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...
. He also served on the Project on National Security Reform
Project on National Security Reform
The Project on National Security Reform is a nonpartisan non-profit organization mandated by the United States Congress to recommend improvements to the U.S. national security system. Advocates of reform of the U.S...
's Guiding Coalition.
Brookings Institution Director and Lyndon B. Johnson School Dean
After serving in the Clinton administration, Steinberg was a senior fellow at the Brookings InstitutionBrookings Institution
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. One of Washington's oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and the Institution's vice president and director of Foreign Policy Studies (2001–2005). Steinberg was then Dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin (2006–2009) until appointed US Deputy Secretary of State on January 28, 2009, taking a leave of absence from the School for the duration of his term in office.
Obama administration
According to the Wall Street Journal, Steinberg, along with Daniel Kurtzer and Dennis RossDennis Ross
Dennis B. Ross is an American diplomat and author. He has served as the Director of Policy Planning in the State Department under President George H. W...
, were among the principal authors of 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...
’s address on the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
to AIPAC in June 2008, which was viewed as the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee’s most expansive on international affairs
International affairs
International affairs may refer to:* Diplomacy* International relations* International Affairs Association* International Affairs , a peer-reviewed academic journal first published in 1924...
.
He was mentioned as being "at the top" of Obama's list of candidates for the post of National Security Advisor
National Security Advisor (United States)
The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, commonly referred to as the National Security Advisor , serves as the chief advisor to the President of the United States on national security issues...
, but Andrea Mitchell
Andrea Mitchell
Andrea Mitchell is an American television journalist, anchor, reporter, and commentator for NBC News based in Washington, D.C.. She is the NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, and has recently reported on the 2008 Race for the White House for NBC News broadcasts, including NBC Nightly...
reported on November 24, 2008 that Obama would appoint Steinberg Deputy Secretary of State. On December 23, 2008, Steinberg himself confirmed the appointment in a letter addressed to students and faculty at the Johnson school.
As Deputy Secretary of State and principal Deputy to US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
, Steinberg notably coined the phrase "strategic reassurance" to describe U.S.-China relations
Sino-American relations
For the article on U.S.-Taiwan relations, see Republic of China – United States relations.Sino-American or People's Republic of China–United States relations refers to international relations between the United States of America and the government of People's Republic of China...
suggestive of the idea that the United States should reassure China about welcoming China's rise while China would reassure the US and its neighbors that it would not conflict with their interests.
Maxwell School Deanship
In March 2011, Steinberg was named Dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public AffairsMaxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is the public policy school of Syracuse University...
at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. On July 28, 2011, he resigned as Deputy Secretary of State and assumed his new position.
External links
- James B. Steinberg at US State Department
- Research and commentary at the Brookings InstitutionBrookings InstitutionThe Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. One of Washington's oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and...
- James Steinberg collected news and commentary at Fox News
- Preventive war, a useful tool (by James Steinberg/Ivo Daalder). December 4, 2005
- Policy Challenges and Opportunities for the United States in Asia (Keynote address from 2010 Asia Policy Assembly, June 17, 2010)