Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs

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Sometimes informally called the "Secretary of State for the Department of Defense", the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (ISA) is responsible for coordinating U.S. security and defense policies relating to the nations and international organizations of Europe (including NATO), the Middle East and Africa. Historically, it has been an influential post, more important than many other jobs at the Assistant Secretary level.

The incumbent, in the Obama administration, is a career Foreign Service Officer, Alexander Vershbow .

The Assistant Secretary reports to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and has six majr direct reports:

• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe & NATO
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia & Eurasia
• Secretary of Defense Representative in the U.S. Mission to NATO
• Secretary of Defense Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

Past incumbents[edit]