L. Paul Bremer

L. Paul Bremer is an American diplomat and former government official best known for his service as the Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. His tenure was marked by controversial decisions, including the dissolution of the Iraqi Army and a sweeping De-Ba'athification policy, which significantly shaped the post-invasion landscape. A career foreign service officer, he previously held high-ranking positions in the United States Department of State and served as Ambassador to the Netherlands and as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism.

Early life and education

Lewis Paul Bremer III was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from Yale University, where he was a member of the Skull and Bones society. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, graduating in 1966.

Diplomatic career

Bremer joined the United States Foreign Service in 1966, serving in diplomatic posts in Kabul, Blantyre, and Oslo. He held several significant roles in Washington, D.C., including executive assistant to Henry Kissinger and later to Alexander Haig when they served as United States Secretary of State. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan appointed him as the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands. He later served as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism, coordinating efforts following incidents like the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. After leaving government service in 1989, he worked in the private sector, including as managing director at Kissinger Associates.

Coalition Provisional Authority

In May 2003, following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, President George W. Bush appointed him to succeed Jay Garner as the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority. His administration issued two highly consequential orders: Coalition Provisional Authority Order 1, which mandated a comprehensive De-Ba'athification of Iraqi society, and Order 2, which formally dissolved the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Air Force, and Ministry of Defence (Iraq). These decisions are widely analyzed as contributing to the rise of the insurgency and sectarian violence. His administration also oversaw the creation of the Iraqi Governing Council and the drafting of the Transitional Administrative Law before transferring sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government led by Iyad Allawi in June 2004.

Post-Iraq activities

After returning from Baghdad, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2004. He authored a memoir, *My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope*, detailing his experiences. He has served on corporate boards, including that of Aon Corporation, and remains a commentator on foreign policy, often defending his decisions in Iraq while critiquing subsequent U.S. strategy. He has also been involved with organizations like the Federalist Society and the Committee on the Present Danger.

Personal life

He married Frances Winfield in 1966, and they have three children. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and has been involved with various philanthropic and educational institutions. An avid runner, he has completed several marathons.

Category:American diplomats Category:United States ambassadors to the Netherlands Category:1941 births Category:Living people