Antony J. Blinken

As the 71st Secretary of State under President Biden, Antony J. Blinken led U.S. diplomacy through an era of seismic geopolitical shifts. From confronting rising authoritarianism, supporting Ukraine’s defense and contending with conflict in the Middle East, to rebuilding relationships with allies and forging stronger ties in the Indo-Pacific, he helped reposition American leadership to meet a new generation of global challenges. Under his leadership, the U.S. strengthened NATO, built new partnerships that brought together our European and Asian allies, and elevated trade, investment, and technology policy as core pillars of national security and global influence.

His tenure as Secretary followed decades of national service in roles that shaped American policy at the highest levels. As Deputy Secretary of State and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor under President Obama, he was a key architect of foreign policy decision-making, chairing the Deputies Committee and advising the President and Vice President through some of the most consequential global events of the early 21st century. Earlier still, he served as National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Biden, Democratic Staff Director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and chief foreign policy speechwriter for President Clinton, building a reputation for clarity, conviction, and calm under pressure.

Blinken’s vision of American leadership is shaped by a deeply personal understanding of what’s at stake when democracy fails and diplomacy falters. The stepson of a Holocaust survivor, he grew up with stories of loss, resilience, and a keen awareness of the difference American leadership can make in people’s lives. Raised and educated in both Paris and the United States, he brings a global perspective to American statecraft. Before public service, he worked as a lawyer, journalist, and author—publishing widely and contributing to outlets including The New Republic, The New York Times, and Foreign Affairs.