Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) belongs to the “J” family of bureaus under the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. Maria Otero was sworn in as Under Secretary of State on August 10, 2009. She oversees and coordinates U.S. foreign relations on the spectrum of civilian security issues across the globe, including democracy, human rights, population, refugees, trafficking in persons, rule of law, counter-narcotics, crisis prevention and response, global criminal justice, and countering violent extremism.
Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations
Ambassador (Frederick) Rick Barton of Maine was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations on April 3, 2012. Mr. Barton has worked to improve the U.S. and international response to conflict in more than 30 of the world’s most unstable places.
Ambassador Patricia M. HaslachPrincipal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Ambassador Patricia M. Haslach currently serves as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Prior to this position, Ambassador Haslach was the State Department’s Coordinator for Iraq Transition in the Office of the Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources.
