Kurt Campbell Nominated as Deputy Secretary of State

The White House has nominated Kurt Campbell as deputy secretary of state. Campbell has been the deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council since January 2021.

According to the Financial Times, Campbell played a key role in reestablishing the Quad, an alliance between the United States, Japan, Australia and India focused on security cooperation to counter China’s military activities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prior to taking on his current role, Campbell was the chairman and CEO of The Asia Group, a business advisory firm. He also served as the assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State from 2019 to 2013 and as the director of the NSC’s Democracy Office, the White House said.

A person familiar with the nomination told the Financial Times that Campbell would focus on Asia policy if he receives Senate confirmation. 

Campbell would replace Wendy Sherman, who retired in July.