John Hamre
President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (since 2000)

- Alma Mater: Augustana College, B.A., 1972; Johns Hopkins University, PhD, 1978
- Office: 1800 K St. NWWashington, DC 20006;202-887-0200
- Web site
Hamre was born on July 3, 1950, in Willow Lake, S.D., a town of 100 people and 40 buildings where none of the streets have names. His father was a banker and his mother taught at the local school.
He received his undergraduate degree in political science from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D, in 1972 and spent the next year as a Rockefeller fellow at the Harvard Divinity School.
As a veteran Defense Department official, Hamre understands the "plumbing" of defense policy and institutions.
He has lobbied for increased diplomatic efforts and a more sophisticated military adapted to 21st century warfare. He also called the rise of nuclear Iran and the increased danger of a nuclear attack on U.S. soil the most serious threats facing the country.
Hamre knows Sam Nunn, a former Democratic Senator from Georgia who is now the chairman of CSIS. Nunn, who advised Obama on defense issues and worked on the presidential transition team, is Hamre's closest tie to the president.
Hamre and others suggested that ex-Rep. Lee Hamilton and former Secretary of State James Baker lead the Iraq Study Group. He also served on the Independent Commission on the Security Forces in Iraq with retired General James L. Jones, who Obama appointed as National Security Adviser.
- Allen, Mike, "Dems Sketch Obama Cabinet," Politico, Oct. 31, 2008
- Matthews, William. Reports Paint Opposing Portraits of Iraq War. Defense News, Sept. 10, 2007.
- Hirsh, Michael, "Reaching Across the Aisle on Iraq," Newsweek, Oct. 13, 2008
- Baker, Peter "The New Team: John Hamre," New York Times, Nov. 18, 2008
- Baker, Peter, "The New Team: John Hamre," New York Times, Nov. 18, 2008
- http://www.csis.org/index.php?option=com_csis_pubs&task=view&id=4196
- Matthews, William. Congress told US Military Misses Key Missions. Defense News, June 25, 2007.
- Baker, Peter, "The New Team: John Hamre," New York Times, Nov. 18, 2008
- http://www.csis.org/component/option,com_csis_experts/task,view/type,/id,145/
- Jehl, Dougless, "Intelligence Plan Draws Skepticism," New York Times, July 21, 2004.
- Bumiller, Elizabeth, "Research Groups Boom in Washington," New York Times, Jan. 30, 2008
- http://www.csis.org/component/option,com_csis_experts/task,view/type,/id,145
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