Robert Joseph is currently a Senior Scholar at the National Institute for Public Policy. He also serves as U.S. Special Envoy for Nuclear Nonproliferation.
From June 2005 to March 2007, Ambassador Joseph served as the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. In this capacity, he was the principal State officer for non- and counterproliferation matters, as well as for arms control, arms transfers, regional security, and defense relations. Previously, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Proliferation Strategy, Counterproliferation and Homeland Defense, National Security Council. In this position he was responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. policies and strategies for preventing and defending against threats from weapons of mass destruction.
From 1992 until 2001, Dr. Joseph was Professor of National Security Studies and Director/Founder of the Center for Counterproliferation Research at the National Defense University. Prior to that he was U.S. Commissioner to the Standing Consultative Commission and to the U.S.-Russian Consultative Commission on Nuclear Testing, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Forces and Arms Control Policy.
Dr. Joseph received his MA from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He has held teaching positions at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tulane University, and Carleton College.
His awards include the National Defense University President's Award for Individual Achievement and the National Nuclear Security Administration Gold Medal for Distinguished Service. He also received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service (and Bronze Palm), and multiple Senior Executive Service Meritorious Achievements citations. In 2006, he was the recipient of the annual Ronald Reagan award for his contributions to U.S. missile defense.
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.