Damon Wilson New International Security Program Director

Brings Administration and NATO Experience

Washington, D.C. – The Atlantic Council has named Damon Wilson, former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council, as Director of the International Security Program.

Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe said, “Damon brings to the Council in-depth policy-making experience, extensive relationships on both sides of the Atlantic and unique insights from working in crisis management operations in Washington, Brussels, the Balkans and Iraq.”  Chairman of the Board Senator Chuck Hagel welcomed Mr. Wilson’s appointment saying, “At this time of great global security challenges, Damon’s combination of insider knowledge and on-the-ground experience is a critical addition to our policy work.”

Mr. Wilson has also served as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq; Director for Central, Eastern and Northern European Affairs at the NSC; and Deputy Director of the Private Office of the NATO Secretary General, during which he advised Lord Robertson on NATO’s historic post-Cold War enlargement and transformation to face modern threats.

“I have a strong conviction” said Wilson, “that a Europe whole, free and at peace, with a transformed NATO at its core, offers the United States the most effective partnership to promote security, prosperity and democracy around the world – and the Atlantic Council fosters cutting-edge work in support of this vision.”  The Program on International Security recognizes that a rapidly evolving and uncertain world demands a reexamination of traditional security relationships and strategies.  The Program seeks to build consensus around policies that contribute to a more stable, secure and well-governed world.  Mr. Wilson replaces James Townsend, who now serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy.

Mr. Wilson’s first piece for the Council, “Russia Must Also Hit the Reset Button,” is online at /new_atlanticist/russia-must-also-hit-reset-button.  He is also available for commentary on this week’s NATO Summit and President Obama’s trip to Europe.

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Mr. Wilson can be reached at dwilson@acus.org or 202-778-4976.  For more information, please contact Peter Cassata at press@acus.org or 202-778-4991.