James C. O'Brien

James C. O’Brien served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs until January 2025.  After starting at the State Department ten days before the Berlin Wall fell, he has spent approximately half his career in the U.S. Government, serving at various times as adviser to the Secretary of State, Principal Deputy of Policy Planning, Ambassador for sanctions policy, and presidential envoy for the western Balkans and for hostage affairs. In the private sector he helped found two firms that have advised or invested in more than 100 countries. During his fellowship at the IWM he will be exploring options for transatlantic relations over the next decade.