WASHINGTON, DC—Today the Atlantic Council named Barry Pavel as Director of its International Security Program and Director-Designate of its new Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. Mr. Pavel also will be the first Arnold Kanter Chair of the Brent Scowcroft Center.

Barry Pavel has played leadership roles in the development of a broad range of national security and defense strategies and policies across the last three administrations, including serving at the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense Policy and Strategy on the National Security Council staff from October 2008 until July 2010. In this capacity, Pavel led the development of President Obama’s June 2010 National Space Policy and led the NSC’s oversight of the four Defense Department strategic reviews: the Quadrennial Defense Review, Nuclear Posture Review, Ballistic Missile Defense Review, and space posture review. Previously, Pavel was Chief of Staff and Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities, and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy Planning. At the Pentagon, Pavel developed the first deterrence strategies for cyberspace and terrorist networks, led the overseas posture changes, and led defense planning for the first round of NATO enlargement.

“A career government professional working across administrations, Barry will provide the dynamism and bipartisanship so important to the foundation of the Scowcroft Center,” said Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council. “His work on cutting-edge global security issues and his experience leading at the highest levels will be essential to further expand our work in the security field.”

On May 3, the Council announced its capital campaign for the Brent Scowcroft Center, which will launch in May 2012. Under the Chairmanship of General James L. Jones and the Vice Chairmanship of George Lund, the Center will provide non-partisan analysis and policy solutions to decision-makers to help navigate our new security context marked by non-traditional security challenges and opportunities.

Pavel also will serve as the first Arnold Kanter Chair of the Brent Scowcroft Center. Kanter, a long-time board director and advisor to Brent Scowcroft, died last year after a long battle with cancer. The Council is honoring his legacy by appointing an individual who can provide insightful strategic advice and counsel to decision-makers in the security, defense and intelligence fields. Kanter was one of Pavel’s predecessors at the NSC as Senior Director for Defense Policy and Strategy in the George H.W. Bush administration.