Robert Story Karem is an American policy advisor and government official who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Department of Defense.
Karem is a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from Columbia University in 2000.[2]
Karem was a foreign policy legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.[3] He was also an advisor to former Vice President Dick Cheney, specifically with respect to Middle East affairs. Karem was a member of Cheney's national security staff from February 2005 to January 2009 and was a researcher for Cheney's memoir.[4][5]
Karem later worked as an advisor to then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.[3] In August 2014, Karem left Cantor's office to serve as policy advisor for U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.[6]
Karem served as a member of Donald Trump's transition team as an adviser to CIA Director Mike Pompeo during Pompeo's confirmation process.[7]
On April 25, 2017, President Trump nominated Karem to become Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Department of Defense.[8] Derek Chollet, who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Obama administration, praised Trump's decision in choosing Karem, stating that "[n]ot often [do] I say this, but terrific news from Trump Admin: Robert Karem nomn'd for Asst SecDef ISA . . . He’s smart, savvy, & skilled. Great pick!"[8]
On May 18, 2017, Karem's confirmation hearing took place with the Senate Committee on Armed Services.[8] He was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on May 25, 2017.[9]
Karem stepped down as Assistant Secretary in October 2018, along with additional Pentagon officials, Thomas Goffus and Alan Patterson. He was succeeded by Kathryn L. Wheelbarger in an acting capacity.[10]
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)