home > campaign 2008 > issue guides
Cabinet Profiles examine the backgrounds and views of the most senior officials advising the next U.S. presidential administration on foreign policy.
Updated: February 9, 2009
Retired Adm. Dennis C. Blair, President Obama's director of national intelligence, is a former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command with long military experience.
See more in United States, Intelligence
December 3, 2008
James L. Jones, a retired Marine commandant, brings extensive military and diplomatic experience to his new post as national security adviser for President Barack Obama.
See more in United States, National Security and Defense, U.S. Election 2008
Updated: February 3, 2009
President Barack Obama's attorney general, Eric H. Holder Jr., has criticized some of the Bush administration's counter-terrorism moves, calling for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center and bans on torture.
See more in Counterterrorism, U.S. Strategy and Politics
December 3, 2008
Robert M. Gates, a Cold War veteran selected to remain as defense secretary, has won bipartisan praise for his pragmatism and handling of the Pentagon amid two wars.
See more in United States, Defense/Homeland Security
Updated: February 3, 2009
Janet Napolitano, experienced in federal law enforcement and immigration issues, has been selected for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
See more in United States, Immigration, U.S. Election 2008
Updated: January 22, 2009
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a senator and former First Lady, has offered a tough pragmatism on national security matters and called for reviving U.S. credibility in the world.
See more in International Peace and Security, Diplomacy
Updated: January 28, 2009
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner brings experience in global financial crisis management for the Fed, expertise on Asia, and perspective from work with the International Monetary Fund.
See more in United States, International Finance
We welcome your views on the foreign policy issues in the presidential transition. Join the discussion and post your comments on the The New Administration blog, or send us an email at letters@cfr.org.