Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs

Mission Statement: ASD(APSA) is the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)) and the Secretary of Defense on international security strategy and policy on issues of DoD interest that relate to the nations and international organizations of the Asia-Pacific, its governments and defense establishments, and for oversight of security cooperation programs, including Foreign Military Sales, in the region.

The regions and countries of focus for the ASD (APSA) are:

Afghanistan/Pakistan/Central Asia (APC): Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
East Asia (EAS): China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea.
South and Southeast Asia (SSEA): India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Diego Garcia (in conjunction with ASD(ISA)), Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific Island nations.

Leadership

Assistant Secretary of Defense

David B. Shear David Shearis the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, with responsibility for defense and security policy in the Asia and Pacific region

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense

Kelly E. Magsamenis the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia

Abraham Denmark currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, where he supports the Secretary of Defense and other senior U.S. government leaders in the formulation and implementation of defense policy for China, Japan, Mongolia, North and South Korea, and Taiwan.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia

Dr. Amy Searightis Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs. Dr. Searight serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership within the Department of Defense for all policy matters pertaining to development and implementation of defense strategies and plans for the region. Her area of responsibility includes bilateral security relations with India and all other South Asian countries, excepting Afghanistan and Pakistan; and with the nations of Southeast Asia, plus Australia, Timor Leste, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island States.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia

Christine S. Abizaid Christine Abizaid was appointed Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia in July 2014

Contact Information

Office of the Assistant Secretary of Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
2700 Defense Pentagon, Room 5D688
Washington, DC 20301-2700
(703) 695-4175