Ambassador Douglas E. Lute Named Senior Fellow

Former NATO Ambassador Douglas E. Lute joined the Belfer Center in April as a Senior Fellow with the Center’s Future of Diplomacy Project.

At the Kennedy School, Lute will initiate a research project focused on NATO and transatlantic relations that will address the multiplicity of challenges facing the Alliance as it approaches its 70th anniversary, said Nicholas Burns, Faculty Director of the Future of Diplomacy Project. Lute will also share his expertise in security and diplomacy by conducting seminars and study groups with students and fellows.

“I am proud to welcome Ambassador Doug Lute to the Kennedy School’s Future of Diplomacy Project,” Burns said.  “As a former U.S. Ambassador to NATO myself, I look forward to working with him on a project to strengthen our vital NATO alliance and transatlantic ties.”

Appointed by President Barack Obama, Lute served as the United States Permanent Representative to NATO from 2013-2017.  During this period, he was instrumental in designing and implementing the Alliance’s responses to the most severe security challenges in Europe since the end of the Cold War. He received the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award for his work.

A career Army officer, Lute retired from active duty in 2010 as a Lieutenant General after 35 years of service. In 2007, President George W. Bush named him Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor to coordinate the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retained by President Obama to focus on South Asia, he served six years in the White House.

“Doug has served the nation with distinction under two administrations and before that with 35 years of military service,” said Belfer Center Director Graham Allison. “It’s an honor to have such a distinguished public servant join the Center and share his experience and insights with the Harvard community.”