Under Secretary of State

Under Secretary of State is a high-ranking position within the United States Department of State, serving directly below the Deputy Secretary of State. The role was formally established in the early 20th century to manage the department's expanding global responsibilities. Under Secretaries oversee major policy bureaus and often act as the principal advisors to the Secretary of State on specific regional or functional issues.

History and establishment

The position was created by the Congress in 1919, with the first appointee being career diplomat William Hunter. This legislative action responded to the growing administrative demands on the State Department following World War I and the Paris Peace Conference. Initially, there was a single Under Secretary, but the role evolved significantly after World War II with the passage of the Foreign Service Act of 1946. Subsequent reorganizations, including those during the tenure of Secretary Dean Acheson and under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, led to the creation of multiple Under Secretary positions, each with distinct portfolios such as Political Affairs and Economic Affairs.

Appointment and role

An Under Secretary of State is appointed by the President and must be confirmed by the Senate via advice and consent, a process overseen by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The role serves at the pleasure of the President and typically has no fixed term. Under Secretaries are principal deputies who manage broad swaths of the department’s operations, implementing policies set by the White House and the National Security Council. They frequently testify before congressional committees, including the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and represent the United States in diplomatic negotiations alongside agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development.

List of Under Secretaries

Historically, notable individuals have held the singular Under Secretary title before the proliferation of specific portfolios. These include Robert A. Lovett, who later served as Secretary of Defense, and Walter Bedell Smith, a former Director of Central Intelligence. Since the establishment of multiple positions, distinguished Under Secretaries for Political Affairs have included Lawrence Eagleburger, who later became Secretary of State, and Wendy Sherman, a key negotiator of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Other significant offices include the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, held by officials like Catherine A. Novelli, and the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, a post once held by Margaret Tutwiler.

Responsibilities and functions

The core responsibilities are divided among several Under Secretaries, each leading a cluster of assistant secretaries and bureaus. The Under Secretary for Political Affairs, often considered the department’s third-ranking official, oversees regional bureaus for areas like East Asian and European affairs. The Under Secretary for Management is responsible for the Foreign Service Institute, Diplomatic Security, and resources. The Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights directs bureaus focused on conflict stabilization, international narcotics, and the trafficking in persons office. These officials coordinate closely with entities such as the U.S. Mission to the UN and the Organization of American States.

Relationship to other officials

Within the State Department hierarchy, Under Secretaries report to the Deputy Secretary of State and, ultimately, the Secretary of State. They work in parallel with the Department Counselor and coordinate extensively with other Cabinet-level departments, such as the Department of Defense and the Department of the Treasury. In the interagency process, they interface with officials from the CIA, the U.S. Trade Representative, and the National Security Advisor. Their authority is distinct from, but complementary to, that of U.S. Ambassadors and the Director General of the Foreign Service.