| Robert Karem | |
| Office: | Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs |
| President: | Donald Trump |
| Term Start: | June 7, 2017 |
| Term End: | October 31, 2018 |
| Predecessor: | Derek Chollet |
| Successor: | Kathryn L. Wheelbarger (acting) |
| Office1: | Under Secretary of Defense for Policy |
| Status1: | Acting |
| President1: | Donald Trump |
| Term Start1: | June 7, 2017 |
| Term End1: | October 27, 2017 |
| Predecessor1: | Theresa Whelan (acting) |
| Successor1: | David Trachtenberg (acting) |
| Birth Name: | Robert Story Karem |
| Birth Date: | 9 October 1977 |
| Birth Place: | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Education: | Columbia University[1] |
| Party: | Republican |
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. 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!"
On May 18, 2017, Karem's confirmation hearing took place with the Senate Committee on Armed Services. 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]
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