Antony John Blinken is an American lawyer and diplomat currently serving as the 71st United States secretary of state. He has held significant roles in the U.S. government, including deputy national security advisor from 2013 to 2015 and deputy secretary of state from 2015 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Blinken was also the national security advisor to then-Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2013.
April 16, 1962: Birth of Antony Blinken
Antony John Blinken was born on April 16, 1962. This marks the beginning of his life and eventual career in law and diplomacy.
1971: Move to Paris and Family Events
In 1971, Antony Blinken moved to Paris with his mother, who later married Samuel Pisar, a Holocaust survivor. This event shaped Blinken's early life and worldview.
1980: Harvard University Studies Begin
Antony Blinken began his studies at Harvard University in 1980, majoring in social studies. This marked the beginning of his higher education journey.
1984: Graduation from Harvard University
Antony Blinken graduated from Harvard University in 1984 after a period of active involvement in journalism and campus life.
1987: Publication of "Ally versus Ally"
In 1987, Antony Blinken published his monograph, "Ally versus Ally: America, Europe, and the Siberian Pipeline Crisis." The book, based on his undergraduate thesis and interviews with Henry Kissinger, analyzed the significance of diplomatic pressure on the Soviet Union during the Siberian pipeline crisis.
1988: Law Degree and Political Involvement
In 1988, Antony Blinken earned a J.D. from Columbia Law School and began practicing law. He also engaged in political fundraising, supporting Michael Dukakis's presidential campaign.
1999: Appointment as Senior Director for European and Canadian Affairs
In 1999, Antony Blinken took on the role of Senior Director for European and Canadian Affairs, signifying his growing influence in foreign policy.
2002: Appointment as Staff Director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Antony Blinken's appointment as Staff Director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2002 marked a significant step in his career, working closely with then-Senator Joe Biden.
2002: Marriage to Evan Ryan
In 2002, Blinken married Evan Ryan in an interfaith ceremony at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.
2003: Advocacy for the Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, while serving as the Democratic staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Antony Blinken advocated for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
2011: Involvement in Key Foreign Policy Decisions
In 2011, Antony Blinken played a key role in shaping the Obama administration's response to the killing of Osama bin Laden and the military intervention in Libya.
January 20, 2013: Appointment as Deputy National Security Advisor
On January 20, 2013, Antony Blinken assumed the role of Deputy National Security Advisor, succeeding Denis McDonough. This appointment highlighted his growing influence within the Obama administration.
2013: Key Role in Syria Policy
Antony Blinken played a significant role in crafting the Obama administration's policy on Syria, becoming a public face for the administration's approach.
November 7, 2014: Nomination for Deputy Secretary of State
President Obama nominated Antony Blinken for the position of Deputy Secretary of State on November 7, 2014, to replace the retiring William J. Burns.
December 16, 2014: Confirmation as Deputy Secretary of State
The Senate confirmed Antony Blinken as Deputy Secretary of State on December 16, 2014, with a vote of 55 to 38.
2014: Response to the Annexation of Crimea
Antony Blinken was instrumental in developing the Obama administration's response to the annexation of Crimea by Russia following the Ukrainian revolution in 2014.
April 2015: Support for Saudi Arabian-Led Intervention in Yemen
In April 2015, Antony Blinken publicly supported the Saudi Arabian-led military intervention in Yemen, highlighting the U.S.'s role in expediting weapons deliveries and intelligence sharing.
May 2015: Criticism of Persecution of Muslims in Myanmar
In May 2015, Antony Blinken publicly criticized the persecution of Muslims in Myanmar, raising concerns about anti-Muslim legislation and advocating for a pathway to citizenship for Rohingya Muslims.
June 2015: Assessment of ISIL Fighter Casualties
In June 2015, Antony Blinken announced that over ten thousand ISIL fighters had been killed by American-led airstrikes since the beginning of the U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State nine months prior.
2016: Response to the Turkish Coup D'état Attempt
Antony Blinken condemned the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey and expressed support for the democratically elected government. However, he also criticized the subsequent purges within the country.
2017: Co-founds WestExec Advisors
Blinken co-founded WestExec Advisors, a political strategy advising firm, in 2017.
August 2020: Joins Biden Campaign
Blinken went on leave from Pine Island Capital Partners in August 2020 to become a senior foreign policy advisor for the Biden campaign.
September 2020: Blinken on Democracy in Retreat
In a September 2020 interview with the Associated Press, Antony Blinken remarked that democracy is in retreat globally and domestically due to the president's actions.
October 28, 2020: Blinken Signals Review of U.S.-Saudi Arabia Relationship
On October 28, 2020, then-foreign policy advisor Antony Blinken indicated that a Biden administration would prioritize a comprehensive review of the United States' relationship with Saudi Arabia, with a focus on aligning it with U.S. interests and values.
November 13, 2020: Pine Island Capital Partners Raises Funds for SPAC
On November 13, 2020, Pine Island Capital Partners, with Blinken as a partner, finalized a prospectus for a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) aimed at investing in industries related to defense, government services, aerospace, and COVID-19 relief.
November 22, 2020: Biden Selected Blinken as Nominee for Secretary of State
On November 22, 2020, Bloomberg News reported that Biden had selected Antony Blinken as his nominee for secretary of state. This report was corroborated by The New York Times and other outlets.
December 2020: Scrutiny Over Potential Conflicts of Interest
In December 2020, a New York Times article raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest related to Blinken's involvement with WestExec and Pine Island, calling for transparency and potential recusals from decisions involving his previous clients.
2020: Blinken Criticized for Handling of Nord Stream 2 Sanctions
In 2020, the decision to waive sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline sparked criticism from Congress. Blinken, however, defended the move as a pragmatic approach aligned with U.S. interests, arguing that alternative actions would have negatively impacted relations with European allies.
2020: Blinken Voices Support for New START Treaty, Reviews Aid to Azerbaijan
In 2020, Antony Blinken expressed support for extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia, highlighting its role in limiting the deployment of strategic nuclear warheads. He also indicated a review of security assistance to Azerbaijan in light of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, while advocating for security assistance to Armenia.
January 2021: Blinken Affirms U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, Seeks Two-State Solution
In January 2021, Secretary Blinken affirmed the Biden administration's decision to maintain the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, while reiterating their commitment to pursuing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
January 19, 2021: Blinken's Senate Confirmation Hearing
Antony Blinken's confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee began on January 19, 2021.
January 26, 2021: Confirmation as Secretary of State
On January 26, 2021, the Senate confirmed Antony Blinken as the 71st United States Secretary of State, marking a significant milestone in his career.
January 31, 2021: Blinken Condemns Myanmar Coup
On January 31, 2021, Antony Blinken condemned the Myanmar coup d'état and expressed concerns over the detention of government officials and civil society leaders, calling for their release.
February 2021: Blinken Supports Afghan Peace Negotiations
In February 2021, after speaking to President Ashraf Ghani, Antony Blinken voiced support for Afghan peace negotiations with Taliban rebels and reiterated the U.S.'s commitment to a peace deal.
February 2021: Blinken Condemns Ethnic Cleansing in Tigray
In February 2021, Antony Blinken condemned ethnic cleansing in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia and called for the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean forces.
April 2021: Blinken Denounces Sentencing of Hong Kong Activists
In April 2021, Antony Blinken denounced the sentencing of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists for their roles in the 2019 Hong Kong protests, calling it a politically motivated decision.
May 2021: Blinken Attends G7 and Arctic Council Meetings, Addresses Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
In May 2021, Secretary Blinken participated in the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' meeting in London and the Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Reykjavík. During a visit to Kyiv, he met with President Zelensky and Foreign Minister Kuleba, reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine's territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression. Blinken also addressed the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict, acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense while cautioning against actions like evictions in East Jerusalem that could exacerbate tensions.
June 2021: Blinken Attends G7 and NATO Summits, Meets with Putin
In June 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken accompanied President Biden to the G7 summit in Cornwall, the NATO summit in Brussels, and a highly anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva. These meetings were significant as they marked a low point in U.S.-Russia relations, with both Biden and Blinken acknowledging the strained ties. Despite the tensions, Blinken emphasized the administration's commitment to establishing a more predictable and stable relationship with Russia.
July 2021: U.S. Accuses China of Cyberespionage
In July 2021, the Biden administration accused China of a global cyberespionage campaign, which Antony Blinken said posed a major threat to economic and national security.
2021: Blinken Co-Chairs Trade and Technology Council
Since its establishment in 2021, Antony Blinken has served as a co-chair of the Trade and Technology Council, a body formed to strengthen trade ties between the United States and the European Union.
2021: Blinken Expresses Concerns over Brexit, Human Rights in Egypt, and Taliban
In 2021, Antony Blinken voiced concerns about the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, describing it as a chaotic situation with negative implications for U.S. interests. He also criticized perceived human rights violations in Egypt under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, condemning the arrest of Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights staff. Regarding the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan, Blinken stated that the United States would not recognize any government that supports terrorism or disregards fundamental human rights.
July 2022: Blinken Meets with Lavrov to Discuss Prisoner Swap
In July 2022, Secretary Blinken engaged in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to explore the possibility of a prisoner exchange. The discussions focused on securing the release of American citizens Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, who were being held in Russia.
September 2022: Blinken Pledges Continued Support for Ukraine, Criticizes Putin's Nuclear Threats
By September 2022, Secretary Blinken had solidified the United States' commitment to aiding Ukraine in reclaiming territories occupied by Russia. He also condemned President Putin's threats of using nuclear weapons, attributing Russia's predicament to an autocratic system that stifles dissent.
October 21, 2022: Blinken Expresses Skepticism Over Russia's Willingness to End Ukraine War
On October 21, 2022, Secretary Blinken revealed that the United States had observed no genuine effort from Russia to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. He expressed doubts about China's peace proposal, cautioning against tactics aimed at halting the war on Russia's terms.
March 2023: Blinken Meets Ethiopian Prime Minister
In March 2023, Antony Blinken met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa to normalize relations between the United States and Ethiopia, strained by the Tigray War.
June 2023: Blinken Meets with Xi Jinping
In June 2023, Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Blinken emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication to reduce the risk of miscalculation.
June 2023: Blinken Rejects Cease-Fire in Ukraine that Would Freeze Current Lines
In June 2023, Secretary Blinken reiterated the United States' stance on the Ukraine conflict, rejecting any cease-fire agreement that would solidify the existing front lines. This position highlighted the ongoing efforts to find a lasting and equitable solution.
July 2023: Blinken Defends Decision to Provide Cluster Munitions to Ukraine
In July 2023, Secretary Blinken defended the Biden administration's decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, a move that drew scrutiny from various quarters.
September 2023: Global Music Diplomacy Initiative Launch
In September 2023, Blinken performed a cover of "Hoochie Coochie Man" by Muddy Waters at the State Department to launch the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative.
May 2024: Performance in Kyiv, Ukraine
In May 2024, Blinken played rhythm guitar on the Neil Young song, "Rockin' in the Free World," at a bar in Kyiv, Ukraine. This marked the first visit by a Biden administration official since the approval of U.S. supplemental funding for Ukraine's conflict with Russia.