United States Assistant Secretary of State facts for kids
The Assistant Secretary of State (often called A/S) is an important job title in the United States Department of State. These officials work under the Under Secretaries and help manage different parts of the U.S. government's work with other countries.
For example, there are six Assistant Secretaries who work with the Under Secretary for Political Affairs. They handle diplomatic missions in specific parts of the world. There's also an Assistant Secretary for international organizations and another who focuses on fighting terrorism. These leaders usually run specific offices, called "bureaus," within the Department of State. Sometimes, a bureau leader might have a different title, like "director," but their job is just as important as an Assistant Secretary. Each Assistant Secretary usually has a team of helpers called Deputy Assistant Secretaries (DAS).
Contents
- How the Job Started
- What They Do Now
- Current Assistant Secretaries of State
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Management
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
- Reporting directly to the Secretary of State
- Images for kids
How the Job Started
From 1853 to 1913, the Assistant Secretary of State was the second most important person in the U.S. Department of State. Before 1853, the "chief clerk" held that spot. After 1913, the "counselor" became the second-highest position. However, the Assistant Secretary role continued until 1924.
Over the years, the Assistant Secretaries had many different duties. These included overseeing diplomatic and consular offices, managing official letters, handling appointments for consuls (officials who help citizens abroad), running the Department, and dealing with economic matters and different regions of the world. For a while, there were even "Second Assistant Secretaries" (starting in 1867) and "Third Assistant Secretaries" (starting in 1875) to help with these tasks.
What They Do Now
Today, the second most important job in the Department of State is the Deputy Secretary of State. The next level of leaders are the Under Secretaries of State.
Many offices within the Department of State have an "Assistant Secretary of State" in charge. Here are some examples of who they report to:
- Reporting to the Secretary of State (the top boss):
- Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (deals with information and studies)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs (works with Congress)
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (handles relations with countries):
- Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (focuses on Africa)
- Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (focuses on East Asia and the Pacific)
- Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs (focuses on Europe and Eurasia)
- Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (works with groups like the United Nations)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (focuses on the Middle East)
- Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs (focuses on South and Central Asia)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (focuses on North and South America)
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Management (handles how the Department runs):
- Assistant Secretary of State for Administration (manages daily operations)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs (helps U.S. citizens abroad and issues visas)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security (keeps diplomats and facilities safe)
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment (deals with money, energy, and nature):
- Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs (focuses on trade and business)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (works on ocean, environment, and science issues)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources (deals with energy worldwide)
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (shares America's story with the world):
- Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (manages exchange programs and cultural events)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs (communicates with the public)
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security (works on global safety and weapons):
- Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation (prevents the spread of dangerous weapons)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs (handles military relations with other countries)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability (works on agreements to control weapons)
- Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights (focuses on safety, freedom, and fairness for people):
- Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations (helps countries recover from conflict)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (promotes democracy and human rights)
- Assistant Secretary of State for International ... and Law Enforcement Affairs (works with other countries on law enforcement)
- Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (helps people who have to leave their homes)
Many other important roles in the Department of State are considered to be at the same level as an Assistant Secretary. These include the Chief of Protocol, who handles official ceremonies, and the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, who works to stop terrorism.
Current Assistant Secretaries of State
| Office | Incumbent | Term began |
|---|---|---|
Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs |
||
 Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs 1 FAM 121 |
 |
September 30, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs 1 FAM 131 |
 |
September 24, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs 1 FAM 141 |
 |
October 5, 2023 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs 1 FAM 161 |
 |
May 31, 2022 |
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs 1 FAM 171 |
 |
September 15, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs 1 FAM 151 |
 |
September 15, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs 1 FAM 331 |
 |
December 21, 2021 |
Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment |
||
Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs 1 FAM 421 |
 |
January 24, 2022 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs 1 FAM 541 |
 |
May 1, 2023 Acting |
Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources 1 FAM 461 |
 Geoffrey R. Pyatt |
September 19, 2022 |
Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security |
||
Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance 1 FAM 441 |
 |
April 18, 2022 |
Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation 1 FAM 451 |
 |
March 31, 2022 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs 1 FAM 411 |
 Jessica Lewis |
September 30, 2021 |
Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs |
||
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs 1 FAM 341 |
 |
November 23, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs 1 FAM 321 |
 |
February 15, 2023 |
Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Management |
||
Assistant Secretary of State for Administration 1 FAM 211 |
 |
December 6, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs 1 FAM 251 |
 |
August 12, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security 1 FAM 261 |
 |
August 12, 2021 |
Director General of the Foreign Service 1 FAM 231 |
 |
June 6, 2022 |
Director of the Foreign Service Institute 1 FAM 291 |
 |
May 20, 2022 |
Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights |
||
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor 1 FAM 511 |
 |
January 21, 2024 Acting |
Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration 1 FAM 521 |
 |
March 31, 2022 |
Assistant Secretary of State for International ... and Law Enforcement Affairs 1 FAM 531 |
 |
September 30, 2021 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations 1 FAM 471 |
 |
January 10, 2022 |
Coordinator for Counterterrorism 1 FAM 481 |
 Elizabeth H. Richard |
December 29, 2023 |
Reporting directly to the Secretary of State |
||
Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs 1 FAM 311 |
 Naz Durakoğlu |
July 22, 2022 |
Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research 1 FAM 431 |
 |
September 15, 2021 |
Images for kids
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Ambrose Dudley Mann
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William Hunter
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John Appleton
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William H. Trescot
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Frederick W. Seward
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J.C. Bancroft Davis
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Charles Hale
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John Lambert Cadwalader
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Frederick W. Seward
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John Milton Hay
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Robert Roberts Hitt
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James D. Porter
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George L. Rives
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William F. Wharton
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Josiah Quincy
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Edwin F. Uhl
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William Woodville Rockhill
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William Rufus Day
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John Bassett Moore
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David Jayne Hill
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Francis Butler Loomis
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Robert Bacon
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Huntington Wilson
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John E. Osborne
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William Phillips
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Fred Morris Dearing
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Leland B. Harrison
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Wilbur J. Carr
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Alvey A. Adee
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John Allen Campbell
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Walker Blaine
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William Morton Grinnell
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Edward Henry Strobel
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William Woodward Baldwin
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Thomas Wilbur Cridler
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Herbert Henry Davis Peirce
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Chandler Hale
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Dudley Field Malone
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Breckinridge Long
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Robert Woods Bliss
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J. Butler Wright
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