Douglas Lute

Who is Douglas Lute?

Douglas Edward Lute, born November 3, 1952, is the United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. He was nominated for the post by President Obama on May 23, 2013, and assumed his position on September 3, 2013.

Lute is a retired United States Army lieutenant general.

On May 15, 2007, Lute was appointed by George W. Bush to serve as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan. The New York Times referred to him as the "War Czar", since he occupied a senior advisory position responsible for overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was asked to stay on by new President Barack Obama as Obama's Special Assistant and Senior Coordinator for Afghanistan and Pakistan. After leaving active duty in 2010, Lute remained in his position at the National Security Staff. He is married to Jane Holl Lute, who served as the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 through 2013.