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63-717: The statute's authors were United States Secretary of State Dean Acheson , British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Ernest Bevin , and the French Prime Minister Robert Schuman , who deliberated for eight days in intensive conferences in Washington, D.C. It gave the Federal Republic conditional sovereignty and admitted it into the Marshall Plan organization as an equal partner. The Allies retained

126-410: A global cyberespionage campaign , which Blinken said posed "a major threat to our economic and national security". In late April 2021, Blinken denounced the sentencing of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Jimmy Lai , Albert Ho , and Lee Cheuk-yan among others, for their roles in the 2019 Hong Kong protests , calling it a "politically-motivated" decision. In May 2022, Blinken stated that "China

189-615: A "Shiastan" in the south, a "Sunnistan" in the north, as well as Iraqi Kurdistan . The proposal was overwhelmingly rejected at home, as well as in Iraq, where the prime minister opposed the partition plan. He was also a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies . In 2008, Blinken worked for Joe Biden's presidential campaign , and was a member of the Obama–Biden presidential transition team. From 2009 to 2013, Blinken

252-455: A U.S. tank after making a break into the forest during a Nazi death march . In Paris, Blinken attended École Jeannine Manuel . From 1980 to 1984, Blinken attended Harvard College , where he majored in social studies. He co-edited Harvard's daily student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson , and wrote a number of articles on current affairs. After graduating from the university, Blinken worked as an intern for The New Republic for about

315-402: A consolation prize for failed presidential candidates. Antony Blinken Antony John Blinken (born April 16, 1962) is an American lawyer and diplomat currently serving as the 71st United States secretary of state . He previously served as deputy national security advisor from 2013 to 2015 and deputy secretary of state from 2015 to 2017 under President Barack Obama . Blinken

378-631: A full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and gained sovereignty over its foreign relations as the Occupation Statute expired. United States Secretary of State The United States Secretary of State ( SecState ) is a member of the executive branch of the federal government and the head of the Department of State . The office holder is the second-highest-ranking member of

441-652: A public face. Blinken was influential in formulating the Obama administration's response to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution . Blinken supported the 2011 military intervention in Libya and the supply of weapons to Syrian rebels . He condemned the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt and expressed support for the democratically elected Turkish government and its institutions, but also criticized

504-465: A representative of the United States. The secretary communicates issues relating to the U.S. foreign policy to Congress and citizens. The secretary also provides services to U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad such as providing credentials in the form of passports. Doing this, the secretary also ensures the protection of citizens, their property, and interests in foreign countries. What are

567-549: A revision of the Occupation Statute that substantially increased the internal authority of the Federal Republic. Skillfully exploiting the Western fears of a communist assault on Europe, which had been awakened by the Korean War, Adenauer gained further concessions from the Western occupying powers in return for his agreement to rearm West Germany within the context of a western European defense system. In 1955 West Germany became

630-412: A senior American official lies to Congress in the middle of genocide so that the government can keep funding that genocide, he is deliberately flouting the law and prolonging the suffering of millions of innocent people who desperately need our government to stop funding their slaughter." On September 26, 2024, U.S. representative Rashida Tlaib called on Blinken to resign in a social media post, citing

693-604: A year. He earned a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1988 and practiced law in New York City and Paris. Blinken worked with his father to raise funds for Michael Dukakis , the Democratic nominee in the 1988 United States presidential election . In his monograph Ally versus Ally: America, Europe, and the Siberian Pipeline Crisis (1987), Blinken argued that exerting diplomatic pressure on

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756-642: Is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule and thus earns the salary prescribed for that level $ 246,400, as of January 2024. The current secretary of state is Antony Blinken , who was confirmed on January 26, 2021, by the Senate by a vote of 78–22. The secretary of state originates from the government under the Articles of Confederation . The Congress of the Confederation established

819-1069: Is fourth in line to succeed the presidency , after the vice president , the speaker of the House of Representatives , and the president pro tempore of the Senate . Six past secretaries of state – Jefferson , Madison , Monroe , John Quincy Adams , Van Buren and Buchanan  – have gone on to be elected president. Others, including Henry Clay , Daniel Webster , Lewis Cass , John C. Calhoun , John M. Clayton , William L. Marcy , William Seward , Edward Everett , Jeremiah S. Black , James Blaine , Elihu B. Washburne , Thomas F. Bayard , John Sherman , Walter Q. Gresham , William Jennings Bryan , Philander C. Knox , Charles Evans Hughes , Elihu Root , Cordell Hull , Edmund Muskie , Alexander Haig , John Kerry , and Hillary Clinton have also campaigned as presidential candidates, either before or after their term of office as Secretary of State, but were ultimately unsuccessful. The position of Secretary of State has therefore been viewed to be

882-551: Is nominated by the president of the United States and, following a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations , is confirmed by the Senate . The secretary of state, along with the secretary of the treasury , secretary of defense , and attorney general , are generally regarded as the four most crucial Cabinet members because of the importance of their respective departments. Secretary of State

945-474: Is the one country that has the intention as well as the economic, technological, military and diplomatic means to advance a different vision of international order." He dismissed China's claims to be neutral in the Russo-Ukrainian War and accused China of supporting Russia. In May 2022, Blinken says U.S. to rely on "Alliances", "Trade" and "Investment" to counter China , and focus on defending

1008-537: The 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict . In May 2015, Blinken criticized the persecution of Muslims in Myanmar and warned Myanmar's leaders about the dangers of anti-Muslim legislation, saying that Rohingya Muslims "should have a path to citizenship. The uncertainty that comes from not having any status is one of the things that may drive people to leave." In June 2015, Blinken claimed that more than ten thousand ISIL fighters had been killed by American-led airstrikes against

1071-687: The 2016–present purges in Turkey . In April 2015, Blinken voiced support for the Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen . He said that "as part of that effort, we have expedited weapons deliveries, we have increased our intelligence sharing, and we have established a joint coordination planning cell in the Saudi operation centre." Blinken worked with Biden on requests for American money to replenish Israel's arsenal of Iron Dome interceptor missiles during

1134-527: The 2021 Israeli-Palestinian conflict , Blinken expressed "absolute" support for Israel 's right to defend itself but warned that evicting Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem is among the actions that could further escalate outbreaks of violence and retaliation. During a visit to Tel Aviv following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel , Blinken promised to help defend Israel "as long as America exists." Blinken said that "Israel has

1197-689: The 47th G7 summit in Cornwall, the 31st NATO summit in Brussels, and the summit meeting with president Vladimir Putin in Geneva. Blinken and Biden both acknowledged that relations between the U.S. and Russia were at their lowest point, and a more predictable relationship remained a key priority. However, he signaled that further punitive actions would be enforced if the Russian government chose to continue with hostile activities such as interference in

1260-629: The Basic Law (constitution) could only be amended with the unanimous consent of the Allies, and the Allies had the right to veto any legislation that ran counter to the Basic Law or occupation policies. The Allies also had the power to resume full-fledged occupation in the event of an emergency. The Allies' representatives asked the Parliamentary council , which was in the process of drafting

1323-568: The Islamic State since a U.S.-led coalition launched a campaign against it nine months previously. Blinken was a foreign policy advisor for Biden's 2020 presidential campaign . On November 22, 2020, Bloomberg News reported that Biden had selected Blinken as his nominee for secretary of state. These reports were later corroborated by The New York Times and other outlets. On November 24, upon being announced as Biden's choice for secretary of state, Blinken said, "We can't solve all

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1386-698: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee began on January 19, 2021. His nomination was confirmed by the committee on January 25 with a vote of 15–3. On January 26, Blinken was confirmed in the full Senate by a vote of 78–22. Blinken took the oath of office of the secretary of state later that day. In doing so, he became the third former deputy secretary of state to serve as the Secretary of State , after Lawrence Eagleburger and Warren Christopher in 1992 and 1993, respectively. In February 2021, Blinken condemned ethnic cleansing in

1449-679: The Soviet Union during the Siberian pipeline crisis was less significant for American interests than maintaining strong relations between the United States and Europe . Ally versus Ally was based on Blinken's undergraduate thesis in which he interviewed Henry Kissinger . Blinken has held senior foreign policy positions in two administrations over two decades. He was a member of the National Security Council (NSC) staff from 1994 to 2001. From 1994 to 1998, Blinken

1512-626: The Tigray War between the Ethiopian government and Tigray rebels. Blinken made his first international trip with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to Tokyo and Seoul on March 15, during which he warned China against coercion and aggression. He also condemned the Chinese government for committing genocide against ethnic Uyghurs . In July 2021, the Biden administration accused China of

1575-409: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the other from State Department Refugees Bureau , that Israel had indeed blocked humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza. First-hand reports had previously shown Israelis blocking and even destroying aid on trucks. "Their conclusion was explosive because U.S. law requires the government to cut off weapons shipments to countries that prevent

1638-529: The West Bank . During a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 21, 2024, Blinken faced fierce criticism from protestors who interrupted his testimony by shouting as they were escorted from the hearing room, including calling him "the Butcher of Gaza" and "Bloody Blinken". ProPublica reported on September 24, 2024, that Blinken lied to the U.S. Congress, ignoring two reports, one from

1701-520: The nuclear program of Iran . After leaving government service, Blinken moved into the private sector , co-founding WestExec Advisors , a consulting firm. Blinken returned to government first as a foreign policy advisor for Biden's 2020 presidential campaign , then as Biden's pick for secretary of state, a position the Senate confirmed him for on January 26, 2021. Blinken was born on April 16, 1962, in Yonkers, New York , to Jewish parents. His mother

1764-475: The 2020 presidential elections , the SolarWinds cyberattack , or the apparent poisoning and imprisonment of Alexei Navalny . Of the administration's decision to forgo a joint press conference after the summit, Blinken explained that it was "the most effective way" and "not a rare practice". Later that month, Blinken traveled to Brussels for a NATO Ministerial with European Union counterparts to underscore

1827-736: The Basic Law, to accept the statute. Although it met resistance from the SPD , the council accepted the Occupation Statute. In 1951, chancellor Konrad Adenauer succeeded in gaining membership for West Germany in the European Coal and Steel Community, which later served as the core of the European Economic Community, the precursor of the European Union. In that same year the Americans, British, and French agreed to

1890-613: The Biden administration's determination to strengthen transatlantic alliances. Blinken has been a co-chair of the Trade and Technology Council since its creation in 2021 to encourage trade relations with the European Union. In January 2022, Blinken authorized the supply of weapons to Ukraine to support the Eastern European country in amid border tensions with Russia. At a joint press availability with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on January 19, Blinken said "One of

1953-520: The Democratic staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 2002 to 2008. He was a foreign policy advisor for Joe Biden's 2008 presidential campaign , before advising the Obama–Biden presidential transition . From 2009 to 2013, Blinken served as deputy assistant to the president and national security advisor to the vice president . During his tenure in the Obama administration , he helped craft U.S. policy on Afghanistan , Pakistan , and

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2016-587: The Department of Foreign Affairs in 1781 and created the office of secretary of foreign affairs. After the Constitution of the United States was ratified, the 1st United States Congress reestablished the department, renaming it the Department of State, and created the office of secretary of state to lead the department. The stated duties of the secretary of state are to supervise the United States foreign service and immigration policy and administer

2079-422: The Department of State. The secretary must also advise the president on U.S. foreign matters such as the appointment of diplomats and ambassadors, advising the president of the dismissal and recall of these people. The secretary of state can conduct negotiations, interpret, and terminate treaties relating to foreign policy. The secretary also can participate in international conferences, organizations, and agencies as

2142-542: The Great Seal, performance of protocol functions for the White House , and the drafting of certain proclamations. The secretary also negotiates with the individual states over the extradition of fugitives to foreign countries. Under federal law, the resignation of a president or of a vice president is valid only if declared in writing, in an instrument delivered to the office of the secretary of state. Accordingly,

2205-657: The ProPublica story alleging he had rejected internal government findings about Israel blocking aid to Gaza. The decision to waive sanctions against Nord Stream AG and its chief executive Matthias Warnig , subsequent to the completion of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline , drew congressional criticisms. Blinken defended the action as pragmatic and practical to U.S. interests and remarked that proceeding otherwise would be counterproductive with European relations. In June 2021, Blinken traveled with Biden to attend

2268-638: The Qualifications of a Secretary of State? He ought to be a Man of universal Reading in Laws, Governments, History. Our whole terrestrial Universe ought to be summarily comprehended in his Mind. — John Adams Secretaries of state also have domestic responsibilities. Most of the historical domestic functions of the Department of State were gradually transferred to other agencies by the late 19th century as part of various administrative reforms and restructurings. Those that remain include storage and use of

2331-585: The Secretary of State must take in order to facilitate the return of abducted children from nations who are party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction . As the highest-ranking member of the cabinet, the secretary of state is the third-highest official of the executive branch of the U.S. federal government, after the president and vice president, and

2394-557: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in formulating Biden's support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq, with Blinken characterizing the vote to invade Iraq as "a vote for tough diplomacy". Blinken supported the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. In the years following the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, Blinken assisted Biden in formulating a proposal in the Senate to establish in Iraq three independent regions divided along ethnic or sectarian lines:

2457-468: The Tigray region of northern Ethiopia and called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces and other fighters. In the midst of the Biden administration's continuing review of the normalization agreement between Morocco and Israel enacted during the previous administration, Blinken maintained that the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara , which

2520-622: The United States saw no willingness on the side of Russia to end its war in Ukraine by diplomatic means , despite American attempts. Blinken questioned China's peace proposal , saying "the world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms." In June 2023, he rejected any "cease-fire that simply freezes current lines in place". In July 2023, he defended Biden's decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions . In June 2024, Blinken said that China 's support for Russia

2583-417: The United States' commitment to a peace deal that includes a "just and durable political settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire." Blinken made an unannounced visit to Kabul on April 15 and met with U.S. military and diplomatic personnel following the Biden administration's announcement of the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan . He said the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan

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2646-633: The chaotic American departure from Saigon in 1975, saying that "We went to Afghanistan 20 years ago with one mission, and that mission was to deal with the folks who attacked us on 9/11 and we have succeeded in that mission." On September 25, 2024, the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the Biden-Harris administration for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The resolution passed 219-194, with 10 Democrats and all Republicans voting in favor. During

2709-428: The countries that decided to be neutral in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Blinken said that "It's pretty hard to be neutral when it comes to this aggression. There is a clear aggressor. There is a clear victim." Speaking about the 2022 Russian mobilization , he said that mobilized Russian civilians were being treated as "cannon fodder that Putin is trying to throw into the war." On October 21, 2022, Blinken said

2772-500: The delivery of U.S.-backed humanitarian aid. Israel has been largely dependent on American bombs and other weapons in Gaza since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks." The Council on American-Islamic Relations immediately called for Blinken's resignation. “Secretary Blinken and the Biden administration ignored Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid to the suffering people of Gaza – which is a violation of American law – and lied about it to Congress. When

2835-486: The deputy secretary post, replacing the retiring William J. Burns . On December 16, 2014, Blinken was confirmed as Deputy Secretary of State by the Senate by a vote of 55 to 38. Of Obama's 2011 decision to kill Osama bin Laden , Blinken said "I've never seen a more courageous decision made by a leader." A 2013 profile described him as "one of the government's key players in drafting Syria policy ", for which he served as

2898-480: The detention of government officials and civil society leaders, calling for their immediate release. He stated that, "the United States will continue to take firm action against those who perpetrate violence against the people of Burma as they demand the restoration of their democratically elected government." In February 2021, having spoken to president Ashraf Ghani , Blinken voiced support for Afghan peace negotiations with Taliban Islamist rebels and reiterated

2961-591: The policy resulted in assaults on UNRWA aid trucks, Palestinian police escorts for aid convoys, the World Central Kitchen aid convoy attack , and assassination of Anera aid workers. In April 2024, it was reported that Blinken had refused to act on recommendations from the Israel Leahy Vetting Forum to sanction Israeli units that had participated in human rights violations including torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings in

3024-408: The president's Cabinet , after the vice president, and ranks fourth in the presidential line of succession ; first amongst cabinet secretaries. Created in 1789 with Thomas Jefferson as its first office holder, the secretary of state represents the United States to foreign countries, and is therefore considered analogous to a minister of foreign affairs in other countries. The secretary of state

3087-465: The principles which you've heard us repeat – but it always bears repeating – is nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine . Blinken publicly warned on February 11 of the likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine prior to the end the 2022 Winter Olympics and on February 13, he said the risk was "high enough and the threat is imminent enough" that the evacuation of most staff from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv

3150-480: The relationship does not veer into conflict." On 15 November 2023 Blinken accompanied Biden as together they hosted Xi Jinping and Wang Yi in Woodside, California and the so-called 2023 Woodside Summit . Top-level cabinet officials, such as Janet Yellen and John Kerry also were at the meeting table there. On January 31, 2021, Blinken condemned the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état and expressed grave concerns on

3213-518: The resignations of President Richard Nixon and of Vice President Spiro Agnew were formalized in instruments delivered to then-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger . Although they have historically decreased over time, Congress may occasionally add to the responsibilities of the secretary of state. One such instance occurred in 2014, when Congress passed the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act which mandated actions

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3276-536: The right to keep occupational forces in the country and complete control over disarmament , demilitarization , related fields of scientific research, war reparations , the Ruhr , de cartelization , foreign trade, the level of industrial production, displaced persons and refugees, protection, prestige and security of the occupying forces, foreign affairs, and foreign trade and exchange. The Federal Republic could only act in these spheres with Allied permission. Additionally,

3339-590: The right, indeed the obligation, to defend itself and to ensure that this never happens again." He rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war but said he supported "humanitarian pauses" to deliver aid to the people of the Gaza Strip . Blinken participated in Netanyahu's cabinet policy decisions on humanitarian aid, which allowed the targeting of aid convoys that could "reach Hamas." Implementation of

3402-529: The rules-based order Beijing is trying to reshape. In June 2023, Blinken met with Chinese president Xi Jinping during his trip to Beijing. According to the State Department's readout, Blinken "emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of miscalculation" and "made clear that while we will compete vigorously, the United States will responsibly manage that competition so that

3465-467: The world's problems alone [and] we need to be working with other countries." He had earlier remarked in a September 2020 interview with the Associated Press that "democracy is in retreat around the world, and unfortunately it's also in retreat at home because of the president taking a two-by-four to its institutions, its values and its people every day." Blinken's confirmation hearing before

3528-532: Was Meir Blinken , a Yiddish writer. Blinken attended the Dalton School in New York City until 1971. He then moved to Paris with his mother and Samuel Pisar ; his mother married Pisar after divorcing Donald Blinken. In his confirmation hearing, Blinken recalled the story of his stepfather, Pisar, who had been the only Holocaust survivor of the 900 children in his school in Poland. Pisar found refuge in

3591-485: Was "the prudent thing to do". In September 2022, Blinken pledged that the United States would help the Ukrainian military retake Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine . He criticized Vladimir Putin 's threats to use nuclear weapons , saying that "Russia has gotten itself into the mess that it's in is because there is no one in the [autocratic] system to effectively tell Putin he's doing the wrong thing." Regarding

3654-455: Was Judith ( née Frehm) Blinken and his father was Donald M. Blinken , a co-founder of the private equity firm Warburg Pincus who later served as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary . His maternal grandparents were Hungarian Jews. Blinken's uncle, Alan Blinken , served as the U.S. ambassador to Belgium . His paternal grandfather, Maurice Henry Blinken, was an early backer of Israel who studied its economic viability, and his great-grandfather

3717-465: Was annexed by Morocco in 1975, will not be reversed imminently. During internal discussions, he supported improving relations between the two countries and expressed urgency in appointing a United Nations envoy to Western Sahara. In March 2023, Blinken met with Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa to normalize relations between the United States and Ethiopia that were strained by

3780-464: Was deputy assistant to the president and National Security Advisor to the Vice President . In this position he helped craft U.S. policy on Afghanistan , Pakistan , and the nuclear program of Iran . Blinken was sworn in as deputy national security advisor , succeeding Denis McDonough , on January 20, 2013. On November 7, 2014, President Obama announced that he would nominate Blinken for

3843-666: Was made to focus resources on China and the COVID-19 pandemic . He faced calls to resign as secretary of state following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. In August 2021, Blinken rejected comparisons between the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan due to the Taliban offensive , which started in May 2021 after U.S. and coalition military forces began withdrawing from Afghanistan, and

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3906-414: Was previously national security advisor to then–Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2013. During the Clinton administration , Blinken served in the State Department and in senior positions on the National Security Council from 1994 to 2001. He was a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies from 2001 to 2002. He advocated for the 2003 invasion of Iraq while serving as

3969-423: Was special assistant to the president and senior director for strategic planning and NSC senior director for speechwriting. From 1999 to 2001, he was special assistant to the president and senior director for European and Canadian affairs. In 2002, Blinken was appointed staff director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , a position he served in until 2008. Blinken assisted then-Senator Joe Biden, Chair of

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