Career Timeline of Bret Stephens: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 26, 2025

How Bret Stephens built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Bret Stephens is an American right-wing columnist and journalist. He is an opinion columnist for The New York Times and a senior contributor to NBC News, both since 2017. He also became the inaugural editor-in-chief of SAPIR: A Journal of Jewish Conversations in 2021.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1938: Comparison to Munich Agreement

Bret Stephens has argued against the Iran nuclear deal, claiming that they are a worse bargain even than the 1938 Munich Agreement with Nazi Germany.

1995: Assistant Editor at Commentary Magazine

In 1995, Bret Stephens began his career as an assistant editor at Commentary magazine.

1998: Joins The Wall Street Journal

In 1998, Bret Stephens joined The Wall Street Journal as an op-ed editor.

2002: Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post

In 2002, Bret Stephens became the editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post.

2002: Column on Iraq's Nuclear Threat

In 2002, Bret Stephens wrote a column stating that Iraq was likely to become the first nuclear power in the Arab world unless checked.

2003: Advocacy for Iraq War

In 2003, Bret Stephens was a "prominent voice" among media advocates for the start of the Iraq War.

2004: Leaves The Jerusalem Post

In 2004, Bret Stephens left The Jerusalem Post and returned to The Wall Street Journal.

2004: Returns to The Wall Street Journal

In 2004, Bret Stephens left The Jerusalem Post and returned to The Wall Street Journal.

2006: Takes over Global View Column

In 2006, Bret Stephens took over the Journal's "Global View" column.

2009: Deputy Editorial Page Editor

In 2009, Bret Stephens was named deputy editorial page editor after Melanie Kirkpatrick's retirement.

2013: Defense of Bush Administration's Evidence

As late as 2013, Bret Stephens continued to insist that the Bush administration had "solid evidence" for going to war in Iraq, despite the absence of weapons of mass destruction.

November 2014: Release of America in Retreat

In November 2014, Bret Stephens's book "America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and the Coming Global Disorder" was released. In it, he argues that the US has been retreating from its role as the "world's policeman."

America in Retreat: The New Isolationism and the Coming Global Disorder

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2015: Joins the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences

In 2015, Bret Stephens joined the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences, which judges contestants for the Shorty Awards honoring individuals and organizations on social media.