Robert Karem

Robert Story Karem is an American policy advisor and government official who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Department of Defense.

Robert Karem
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
In office June 7, 2017 – October 31, 2018
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Derek Chollet
Succeeded by	Kathryn L. Wheelbarger (acting)
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
Acting
In office June 7, 2017 – October 27, 2017
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Theresa Whelan (acting)
Succeeded by	David Trachtenberg (acting)
Personal details
Born	Robert Story Karem (1977-10-09) October 9, 1977 (age 47) Lexington, Kentucky
Political party	Republican
Education	Columbia University[1]

Early life and education

Karem is a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from Columbia University in 2000.^[2]

Career

Karem was a foreign policy legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.^[3] He was also an advisor to former Vice President Dick Cheney, specifically with respect to Middle East affairs. Karem was a member of Cheney's national security staff from February 2005 to January 2009 and was a researcher for Cheney's memoir.^[4][5]

Karem later worked as an advisor to then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.^[3] In August 2014, Karem left Cantor's office to serve as policy advisor for U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.^[6]

Karem served as a member of Donald Trump's 2016 transition team as an adviser to CIA Director Mike Pompeo during Pompeo's confirmation process.^[7]

On April 25, 2017, President Trump nominated Karem to become Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Department of Defense.^[8] Derek Chollet, who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Obama administration, praised Trump's decision in choosing Karem, stating that "[n]ot often [do] I say this, but terrific news from Trump Admin: Robert Karem nomn'd for Asst SecDef ISA . . . He’s smart, savvy, & skilled. Great pick!"^[8]

On May 18, 2017, Karem's confirmation hearing took place with the Senate Committee on Armed Services.^[8] He was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on May 25, 2017.^[9]

Karem stepped down as Assistant Secretary in October 2018, along with additional Pentagon officials, Thomas Goffus and Alan Patterson. He was succeeded by Kathryn L. Wheelbarger in an acting capacity.^[10]

References

1. "Robert S. Karem > U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > Biography View". Defense.gov. April 10, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
2. "McConnell's Magic". Roll Call. January 24, 2003. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
3. "Trump nominates two new DOD officials". The Hill. April 25, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
4. "President Trump to Nominate Kari Bingen, Robert Story Karem to DoD Leadership Roles - Executive Gov". Executive Gov. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
5. "Jeb Bush hires two new foreign policy advisers". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
6. "Majority Leader-Elect McCarthy Inherits Top Cantor Aides". Roll Call. July 30, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
7. "Mattis readies troop recommendation for Afghanistan". Politico. April 25, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
8. "PN347 - Nomination of Robert Story Karem for Department of Defense, 115th Congress (2017-2018)". www.congress.gov. May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
9. Mehta, Aaron; Gould, Joe (May 25, 2017). "Senate confirms three appointees to Pentagon". Defense News. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
10. Gramer, Lara Seligman, Robbie (October 31, 2018). "Three Senior Pentagon Officials Leave in Quick Succession". Foreign Policy. Retrieved April 30, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN

Political offices
Preceded by Theresa Whelan Acting	Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Acting 2017	Succeeded by David Trachtenberg Acting
Preceded by Derek Chollet	Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs 2017-2018	Succeeded by Kathryn L. Wheelbarger Acting