United States Assistant Secretary of State

United States Assistant Secretary Of State

In modern times, Assistant Secretary of State is a title used for many executive positions in the United States State Department. A set of six Assistant Secretaries reporting to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs manage diplomatic missions within their designated geographic regions, plus one Assistant Secretary dealing with international organizations, and another dealing with working with other countries on narcotics issues. Assistant Secretaries usually manage individual bureaus of the Department of State. When the manager of a bureau or another agency holds a title other than Assistant Secretary, such as "Director," it can be said to be of "Assistant Secretary equivalent rank."

From 1853 until 1913,the Assistant Secretary of State, was the second-ranking official within the U.S. Department of State. Prior to 1853, the Chief Clerk was the second-ranking officer, and after 1913, the Counselor was the second-ranking position, though the Assistant Secretary continued to be a position until 1924. From 1867, the Assistant Secretary of State was assisted by a Second Assistant Secretary of State, and from 1875, by a Third Assistant Secretary of State. Specific duties of the incumbents varied over the years and included such responsibilities as supervising the Diplomatic and Consular Bureaus, general supervision of correspondence, consular appointments, administration of the Department, and supervision of economic matters and various geographic divisions. Today, the title of the second-ranking position is the Deputy Secretary of State, with the next tier of State Department officials bearing the rank of Under Secretary of State.


The following is a list of current offices bearing the title of "Assistant Secretary of State":

  • Reporting directly to the United States Deputy Secretary of State or Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources:
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
  • Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs:
    • Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
  • Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Management:
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Administration
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security
  • Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs:
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs
  • Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs:
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for International Information Programs
  • Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs:
    • Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Verification, Compliance, and Implementation
  • Reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs:
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
    • Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration

Read more about United States Assistant Secretary Of State:  List of Assistant Secretaries of State, Second Assistant Secretary of State, Third Assistant Secretary of State, Defunct Offices Including The Designation of Assistant Secretary of State

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