Antony Blinken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Antony Blinken
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Official portrait, 2021
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| 71st United States Secretary of State | |
| In office January 26, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Mike Pompeo |
| Succeeded by | Marco Rubio |
| 18th United States Deputy Secretary of State | |
| In office January 9, 2015 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | William J. Burns |
| Succeeded by | John Sullivan |
| 26th United States Deputy National Security Advisor | |
| In office January 20, 2013 – January 9, 2015 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Leader | Susan Rice |
| Preceded by | Denis McDonough |
| Succeeded by | Avril Haines |
| National Security Advisor to the Vice President | |
| In office January 20, 2009 – January 20, 2013 |
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| Vice President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | John P. Hannah |
| Succeeded by | Jake Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Antony John Blinken
April 16, 1962 Yonkers, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Evan Ryan
(m. 2002) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives |
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| Education | |
Antony John Blinken (born April 16, 1962) is an American lawyer and diplomat. He served as the 71st United States secretary of state from 2021 to 2025. Before that, he was a top advisor to President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden.
During the Clinton administration, Blinken worked for the State Department. He also held important roles on the National Security Council from 1994 to 2001. He later advised Joe Biden's presidential campaigns.
From 2009 to 2013, Blinken was a national security advisor to Vice President Biden. He helped shape U.S. policy on countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also worked on the nuclear program of Iran. After leaving government, he co-founded a consulting firm called WestExec Advisors. Blinken returned to government as Secretary of State in 2021.
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About Antony Blinken's Life
Antony Blinken was born on April 16, 1962, in Yonkers, New York. His parents were Judith and Donald M. Blinken. His father was a co-founder of a private equity firm and later served as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary. Blinken's uncle, Alan Blinken, was also a U.S. ambassador.
Blinken moved to Paris with his mother and stepfather, Samuel Pisar. His stepfather was a Holocaust survivor. Blinken attended École Jeannine Manuel in Paris.
From 1980 to 1984, Blinken studied at Harvard College. He wrote articles for the student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson. He later earned a law degree from Columbia Law School in 1988. He practiced law in New York City and Paris.
Early Career in Diplomacy
Blinken has held important foreign policy jobs for over two decades. He was part of the United States National Security Council staff from 1994 to 2001. He helped with strategic planning and speechwriting for the president.
From 1999 to 2001, he focused on European and Canadian affairs. These roles helped him gain experience in international relations.
Working with Presidents Clinton and Bush
In 2002, Blinken became the staff director for the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. He worked closely with then-Senator Joe Biden. Blinken supported the U.S.-led 2003 invasion of Iraq. He called the vote to invade Iraq "a vote for tough diplomacy."
After the invasion, Blinken helped Biden propose a plan for Iraq. This plan suggested dividing Iraq into three regions based on ethnic groups. However, this idea was not accepted.
Blinken also worked for Joe Biden's 2008 presidential campaign. He was part of the team that helped prepare for the Obama administration.
Key Roles in the Obama Administration
From 2009 to 2013, Blinken was a national security advisor to Vice President Biden. He helped shape U.S. policy on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the nuclear program of Iran. He became Deputy National Security Advisor in 2013.
In 2014, President Obama nominated Blinken to be Deputy Secretary of State. The Senate confirmed him for this role in December 2014.
Blinken was involved in many important decisions. He supported the 2011 military intervention in Libya. He also supported sending weapons to Syrian rebels. He helped form the U.S. response to Russia's actions in Crimea in 2014.
He also worked with Biden to get money for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. In 2015, he spoke out against the persecution of Muslims in Myanmar. He said that Rohingya Muslims should have a path to citizenship.
Secretary of State (2021–2025)
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Blinken was a foreign policy advisor for Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign. In November 2020, Biden chose Blinken as his nominee for Secretary of State. Blinken said that the U.S. needs to work with other countries to solve global problems.
His confirmation hearing began on January 19, 2021. The Senate confirmed him on January 26, 2021, by a vote of 78–22. He then took the oath of office.
Work in Africa
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In February 2021, Blinken spoke out against violence in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. He called for foreign forces to leave the area. He also supported improving relations between Morocco and Israel.
In March 2023, Blinken met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. They worked to improve relations between the U.S. and Ethiopia. In January 2025, Blinken stated that a genocide was happening in the Sudanese civil war.
Work in Asia
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Blinken's first international trip as Secretary of State was to Tokyo and Seoul in March 2021. He warned China against aggressive actions. He also condemned China for its treatment of Uyghurs.
In July 2021, the Biden administration accused China of a global cyber spying campaign. Blinken called this a "major threat" to security. He also criticized the sentencing of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
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In May 2022, Blinken said China wants to change the international order. He accused China of supporting Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian War. He also said the U.S. would use alliances and trade to counter China.
In June 2023, Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. He stressed the importance of open communication to avoid conflict. In November 2023, Blinken joined President Biden in hosting Xi Jinping in California.
Myanmar
On January 31, 2021, Blinken condemned the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. He called for the release of detained government officials. He said the U.S. would take action against those who harm the people of Burma.
Afghanistan
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In February 2021, Blinken supported peace talks in Afghanistan. He visited Kabul in April 2021 after the U.S. announced its troop withdrawal. He said the withdrawal was to focus on China and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2021, Blinken said the U.S. mission in Afghanistan was complete. He faced criticism after the U.S. withdrawal. In September 2024, the House of Representatives criticized the administration's handling of the withdrawal.
Israel and Palestine
During the 2021 conflict, Blinken supported Israel's right to defend itself. He also warned that evicting Palestinian families could worsen the violence.
After the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, Blinken promised to help defend Israel. He said Israel has the right to defend itself. He supported "humanitarian pauses" to deliver aid to Gaza.
In April 2024, reports said Blinken did not act on recommendations to sanction Israeli units. These units were accused of human rights violations. In May 2024, protestors criticized Blinken during a hearing.
In September 2024, ProPublica reported that Blinken had ignored reports that Israel blocked aid to Gaza. This led to calls for his resignation. In January 2025, Blinken said Hamas had gained new members. He was again interrupted by protestors during a speech.
Work in Europe
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Blinken defended the decision to not sanction the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. He said it was important for relations with Europe. In June 2021, Blinken traveled with Biden to the 47th G7 summit and NATO summit.
They also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Blinken and Biden said U.S.-Russia relations were at a low point. Blinken warned of more actions if Russia continued hostile activities. He also worked to strengthen transatlantic alliances.
Russia-Ukraine War
In January 2022, Blinken approved sending weapons to Ukraine. He warned of a likely Russian invasion before the 2022 Winter Olympics. He said the risk was "high enough" to evacuate U.S. Embassy staff from Kyiv.
In September 2022, Blinken promised U.S. help for Ukraine to retake land. He criticized Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons. Blinken said it was "pretty hard to be neutral" in the conflict.
He also said that mobilized Russian civilians were being used as "cannon fodder." In October 2022, Blinken said Russia showed no willingness to end the war through diplomacy. He rejected any ceasefire that would freeze current battle lines. In June 2024, Blinken said China's support for Russia was making the war longer.
Work in South America
Blinken spoke with Juan Guaidó, whom the Biden administration recognized as the interim president of Venezuela. The U.S. did not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the country's leader.
Americans Detained Abroad
Blinken and the Biden administration have been criticized for how they handled Americans wrongly imprisoned in other countries. Blinken met with families of U.S. detainees.
He also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss prisoner swaps. Blinken, along with Special Presidential Envoy Roger D. Carstens, helped free many Americans. These included Trevor Reed and Brittney Griner.
Contempt of Congress Vote
On September 24, 2024, the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted to recommend holding Blinken in contempt of Congress. This was because he did not provide information about the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The full House of Representatives has not yet voted on this recommendation.
After Being Secretary of State (2025–present)
On January 28, 2025, it was announced that Blinken would write a book about his time as Secretary of State.
On February 8, 2025, former President Trump said he would remove Blinken's security clearance. This means Blinken would no longer have access to secret government information. This decision was later confirmed.
On April 9, 2025, Blinken was interviewed about tariffs and other foreign policy issues.
Views on Foreign Policy
Blinken's foreign policy views are often described as "hawkish," meaning he favors strong action. He has said that military aid to Israel should not be tied to other decisions by the Israeli government. He praised the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and some Arab nations.
Blinken supports continuing non-nuclear sanctions against Iran. He criticized former President Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He supports a "longer and stronger" nuclear deal.
He has criticized the Trump administration for weakening U.S. alliances, which he believes allowed China to gain influence. He called China a "techno-autocracy" that seeks world dominance. Blinken supports welcoming political refugees from Hong Kong. He also said the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense would "absolutely endure."
Blinken supports strong ties between the U.S., Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. He has said that Turkey is "not acting like an ally." He opposes Turkey's call for a two-state solution in Cyprus.
He supports extending the New START treaty with Russia to limit nuclear weapons. Blinken also supports providing security assistance to Armenia.
Blinken opposed the United Kingdom's separation from the European Union. He was concerned about human rights violations in Egypt. He said that meeting with foreign diplomats and advocating for human rights are not crimes.
After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, Blinken stated that the U.S. would not recognize any government that supports terrorist groups or does not protect human rights.
Other Activities
WestExec Advisors
In 2017, Blinken co-founded WestExec Advisors. This is a consulting firm that advises on political strategy. The firm's clients include companies in the defense industry. Blinken received a significant amount of money from WestExec.
Pine Island Capital Partners
Blinken was also a partner at Pine Island Capital Partners. This is a private equity firm. Blinken took a leave from Pine Island in August 2020 to join the Biden campaign. He said he would sell his share in Pine Island if he was confirmed for a government job.
Penn Biden Center
From 2017 to 2019, Blinken was the managing director of the Penn Biden Center. This is a research center at the University of Pennsylvania. During this time, he wrote articles about foreign policy.
Personal Life
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Antony Blinken is Jewish. In 2002, he married Evan Ryan in a ceremony led by both a rabbi and a priest. They have two children, a son born in 2019 and a daughter born in 2020. Blinken speaks French fluently and is left-handed.
Blinken enjoys playing the guitar. He has released three songs on Spotify under the name Ablinken. In May 2024, he played guitar in a bar in Kyiv, Ukraine, performing "Rockin' in the Free World" by Neil Young.
Honors and Awards
International Honors
| Country | Date | Appointment | Ribbon | Source |
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 Ukraine |
2022 | Second Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise |  |
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 Sweden |
2024 | Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star | _-_Commander_Grand_Cross.svg){kind=small} |
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 Estonia |
2025 | Second Class of Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana |  |
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 France |
2025 | Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour | .png){kind=small} |
Awards and Recognitions
- Columbia Law School's Medal for Excellence (2016)
- Wash100 Award (2021)
See also
In Spanish: Antony Blinken para niños
- List of Jewish United States Cabinet members
