David Rothkopf

David Rothkopf is an American author, foreign policy commentator, and media executive. He is the CEO of the Rothkopf Group, a media and advisory firm, and publisher of the Deep State Radio podcast network. A frequent commentator on CNN and other networks, his work focuses on national security, geopolitics, and the intersection of globalization with American politics.

Early life and education

Born in New York City in 1955, he was raised in a family with a background in academia and public service. He attended Columbia University for his undergraduate studies, graduating with a degree in political science. He subsequently earned a Master of International Affairs from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, an institution renowned for its focus on international relations and public policy.

Career

His early career included roles at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and as a managing director at Kissinger Associates, the consulting firm founded by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. He later served as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Policy in the administration of President Bill Clinton, working on issues related to the North American Free Trade Agreement and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Following his government service, he became the CEO of Garten Rothkopf, an international advisory firm. He has held significant media leadership positions, including as CEO and editor of the Foreign Policy Group, publisher of *Foreign Policy* magazine. He is the founder and host of the popular podcast *Deep State Radio*, which features discussions with experts like David Sanger of *The New York Times* and former National Security Council official Kori Schake.

Publications

He is the author of several influential books on American foreign policy and global power structures. His notable works include *Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power* (2005), which provides a history of the key institution coordinating U.S. national security policy. His book *Superclass: The Global Power Elite and the World They Are Making* (2008) examines the networks of influence among leaders in finance, government, and other sectors. Later works, such as *National Insecurity: American Leadership in an Age of Fear* (2014) and *The Great Questions of Tomorrow* (2017), critique post-9/11 security paradigms and explore future challenges. He has also been a contributing editor to *Foreign Affairs* and written for publications like *The Washington Post* and *The Daily Beast*.

Views and commentary

A frequent critic of the foreign policy of the Donald Trump administration, he has argued that it undermined traditional alliances like NATO and weakened American diplomacy. He is a proponent of a robust, values-driven American foreign policy that engages with multilateral institutions. His commentary often addresses the rise of authoritarianism, the strategic competition with China, and the domestic political polarization affecting State Department effectiveness. On his podcast and in television appearances on networks like CNN and MSNBC, he regularly debates these issues with figures such as journalist Rosa Brooks and former Pentagon official Evelyn Farkas.

Personal life

He married Catherine Emmanuel, a professional in the fields of international development and philanthropy, in 1994. The couple has two children and resides in Washington, D.C.. He is known to be an avid reader of history and biography, interests that frequently inform his written work and public analysis.

Category:American political writers Category:American political commentators Category:Columbia University alumni Category:1955 births Category:Living people