Kurt M. Campbell, recently sworn in as the 22nd U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, will visit Philadelphia on Friday, November 1, to discuss the Biden administration’s foreign policy priorities. The one-hour event, hosted by Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania, offers a rare opportunity to hear from a leading voice on U.S. diplomacy.
Campbell, confirmed by the Senate on February 6, 2024, and sworn in six days later, has a long history of shaping U.S. engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to his current role, Campbell served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs on the National Security Council, where he played a central role in the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy. He has also held significant roles in government and academia, including his tenure as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2009 to 2013, where he spearheaded the Obama administration’s “Pivot to Asia” policy.
Beyond government, Campbell has made a mark as a strategic advisor. He was the founding Chairman and CEO of The Asia Group, LLC, an advisory firm focusing on capital management in Asia, and served as the CEO and Co-Founder of the Center for a New American Security, a bipartisan policy institute. His academic background includes teaching at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and serving in the U.S. Navy Reserves.
The event at Perry World House will cover an array of foreign policy issues, including U.S. relationships with allies and the nation’s strategic approach in the Indo-Pacific region, an area of increasing geopolitical competition. Campbell’s conversation will also touch on the role of emerging technologies in U.S. diplomacy, highlighting the complexities that define America’s engagement on the global stage.
Distinguished Career in U.S. Diplomacy
A recognized expert in international relations, Campbell holds degrees from the University of California, San Diego, and Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar. Over his career, Campbell has authored or edited ten books, including The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia and Hard Power: The New Politics of National Security. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award.
His tenure as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State underscores his commitment to navigating a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. His insights into U.S.-China relations, democratic governance, and defense policy continue to shape critical discussions in international relations.
For Philadelphians interested in foreign policy, the conversation with Campbell promises an insider’s perspective on how the U.S. is addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by today’s global dynamics.