History of Susan Rice in Timeline
Susan Rice is an American diplomat and public official. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held several high-profile positions, including Director of the United States Domestic Policy Council (2021-2023), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2009-2013), and U.S. National Security Advisor (2013-2017).
November 17, 1964: Susan Rice's Birth
Susan Elizabeth Rice was born on November 17, 1964. She would later become an American diplomat, policy advisor, and public official.
1978: Mother's Marriage to Alfred Bradley Fitt
In 1978, Susan Rice's mother married Alfred Bradley Fitt, an attorney who was the general counsel of the U.S. Congressional Budget Office.
1979: Dissertation Topic
In 1979, Susan Rice focused her dissertation on the Commonwealth Initiative in Zimbabwe.
1980: Dissertation Topic
In 1980, Susan Rice focused her dissertation on the Commonwealth Initiative in Zimbabwe.
1986: Graduation from Stanford University
In 1986, Susan Rice graduated with honors from Stanford University with a BA in history. She won a Truman Scholarship and was elected Phi Beta Kappa.
1988: Master of Philosophy Degree
In 1988, Susan Rice earned a Master of Philosophy degree in International Relations from New College, Oxford.
1988: Foreign Policy Aide
In 1988, Susan Rice served as a foreign policy aide to Michael Dukakis during his presidential campaign.
1990: Management Consultant
From 1990, Susan Rice became a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.
1990: Doctor of Philosophy Degree
In 1990, Susan Rice earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Relations from New College, Oxford.
September 12, 1992: Marriage to Ian Officer Cameron
On September 12, 1992, Susan Rice married Ian Officer Cameron at the St. Albans School chapel in Washington D.C.
1992: Management Consultant
In early 1992, Susan Rice was still working as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.
1993: Joins National Security Council
In 1993, Susan Rice joined the National Security Council (NSC) as director for international organizations and peacekeeping.
1994: Rwandan Genocide
In 1994, during the Rwandan genocide, Rice was involved in discussions regarding the U.S. response. She later reflected on the Clinton administration's inaction and its impact on her views on military interventions.
1995: Special Assistant to the President
In 1995, Susan Rice became the special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs at the NSC.
1996: Zaire Invasion
In 1996, amidst the Rwandan, Ugandan, AFDL and Angolan invasion of Zaire (later known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Rice allegedly said that "Anything's better than Mobutu."
1997: Confirmation Hearing
In 1997, Rice attended a confirmation hearing chaired by Senator John Ashcroft where she made a great impression on senators, and "sailed through the confirmation process."
1997: Sudan intelligence offer
In 1997, Susan Rice and Richard A. Clarke allegedly lobbied against U.S. officials from engaging with the Khartoum government, despite Sudan offering to turn over its intelligence on bin Laden.
1997: Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
In 1997, Susan Rice became the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
July 7, 1998: Visit to Detained Nigerian President-Elect
On July 7, 1998, Susan Rice was part of an American delegation that visited detained Nigerian president-elect Basorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who suffered a fatal heart attack during this meeting.
2000: Algiers Agreement
In 2000, Rice played a major role in peace negotiations between Ethiopia and Eritrea during the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, leading to the Algiers Agreement that ended the conflict, and was named a co-recipient of the Samuel Nelson Drew Memorial Award.
2001: Managing Director at Intellibridge
From 2001, Susan Rice served as managing director and principal at Intellibridge.
2001: End of Tenure as Assistant Secretary of State
In 2001, Susan Rice's tenure as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs ended.
2002: Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution
From 2002, Susan Rice served as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, focusing on U.S. foreign policy and other topics.
2002: Inducted into Stanford's Black Alumni Hall of Fame
In 2002, Susan Rice was inducted into Stanford's Black Alumni Hall of Fame.
2002: Op-ed Regarding Sudan Intelligence
In 2002, Timothy M. Carney, former U.S. ambassador to Sudan, co-authored an op-ed claiming that in 1997 Sudan offered to turn over its intelligence on bin Laden but that Rice lobbied against engaging with the Khartoum government.
2003: Opposition to Iraq War
In 2003, colleagues stated that Susan Rice opposed the invasion of Iraq.
2004: Foreign Policy Advisor
During the 2004 presidential campaign, Susan Rice served as a foreign policy advisor to John Kerry.
November 5, 2008: Named to Obama-Biden Transition Advisory Board
On November 5, 2008, Susan Rice was named to the advisory board of the Obama–Biden transition.
December 1, 2008: Nomination as Ambassador to the United Nations
On December 1, 2008, President-elect Obama announced that he would nominate Susan Rice to be the United States ambassador to the United Nations.
2008: Foreign Policy Advisor
In 2008, Susan Rice became a foreign policy advisor to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, eventually being named to the advisory board of the Obama-Biden transition team.
January 22, 2009: Confirmation as Ambassador to the UN
On January 22, 2009, Susan Rice was confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
2009: Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution
In 2009, Susan Rice was still working as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
2010: Previous National Security Strategy Update
The National Security Strategy was previously updated in 2010.
March 17, 2011: UN Security Council Resolution 1973 Vote
On March 17, 2011, Susan Rice and Hillary Clinton played major roles in gaining approval for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, with the UK, France, and Lebanon joining the U.S. in voting for it.
April 2011: Criticism of Gaddafi's Denials
In April 2011, amid the Libyan Civil War, Susan Rice criticized Muammar Gaddafi's denials of atrocities as "frankly, delusional" during a closed-door Security Council meeting. She also reported that Gaddafi loyalists were engaging in atrocities.
2011: Death of Emmett J. Rice
In 2011, Susan Rice's father, Emmett J. Rice, who was an economics professor and governor of the Federal Reserve System, passed away.
September 11, 2012: Benghazi Attack
On September 11, 2012, a U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi was attacked. In the aftermath, on September 16, Rice appeared on interview shows to discuss the attacks using provided talking points.
November 2012: Republican Criticism of Rice's Statements
In November 2012, House Republicans criticized Susan Rice's statements regarding the Benghazi attack, suggesting she should not be considered for Secretary of State.
December 13, 2012: Withdrawal from Secretary of State Consideration
On December 13, 2012, Susan Rice withdrew her name from consideration for Secretary of State due to controversy surrounding statements made about the Benghazi attack.
2012: Criticism of Negotiating Style
In 2012, Security Council diplomats criticized Susan Rice's negotiating style. Some human rights activists criticized her and U.S. foreign policy for working against UN statements criticizing Rwanda.
2012: Review of Positions on War
In 2012, columnist Peter Beinart reviewed a series of NPR interviews with Rice from late 2002 and early 2003 and concluded that Rice's position on war was equivocal.
2012: Statements on Rwanda
In 2012, during an interview with The New Republic, Rice addressed the Rwandan genocide and denied that it haunted her or drove every policy decision she had made subsequently.
June 5, 2013: Appointment as National Security Advisor
On June 5, 2013, Susan Rice was chosen to succeed Tom Donilon as National Security Advisor.
July 1, 2013: Sworn in as National Security Advisor
On July 1, 2013, Susan Rice was officially sworn in as the National Security Advisor.
August 2013: Condemnation of Rabaa Massacre
In August 2013, Susan Rice condemned the Rabaa massacre in Egypt, where Egyptian security forces killed over 1,000 people during anti-government protests.
August 2013: Opposition to Congressional Authorization for Military Strikes Against Syria
In August 2013, Susan Rice was the lone dissenter in Obama's national security team, arguing against seeking congressional authorization for military strikes against Syria following the Assad regime's use of sarin gas.
2013: Appointment as National Security Advisor
In 2013, Susan Rice was named National Security Advisor by President Barack Obama.
2013: Continuation of U.S. Support for Kiir Administration
In 2013, when the South Sudanese Civil War broke out, the U.S., under Susan Rice's influence, continued its support for President Kiir's administration despite reports of government atrocities.
July 2014: Support for Israel's Right to Self-Defense
In July 2014, Susan Rice expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict.
2015: Criticism of Netanyahu's Speech to Congress
In 2015, Susan Rice criticized Benjamin Netanyahu for agreeing to speak to Congress about Iran's nuclear program without coordinating with the Obama administration.
2015: Release of 2015 National Security Strategy
In 2015, Susan Rice released the 2015 National Security Strategy, outlining an "ambitious yet achievable agenda" for U.S. foreign policy, defense, and national security.
2015: Visit to Pakistan and Warning on Militant Attacks
In 2015, Susan Rice visited Pakistan and warned Pakistani leaders about the threat to regional security posed by militants based in Pakistan conducting attacks in Afghanistan.
2015: Remarks on Chinese Intelligence Operations
In a 2015 speech, Susan Rice addressed the problems of Chinese intelligence operations in the United States, describing it as an economic and national security concern.
December 2016: Al-Nahyan Visit and Meeting with Trump Advisors
In December 2016, UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Trump campaign advisors Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn, and Jared Kushner at Trump Tower in New York.
2016: Call for Arms Embargo Against South Sudan
In 2016, Susan Rice joined calls for an arms embargo against South Sudan, but the measure failed to win passage at the UN Security Council.
2016: Negotiation of Military Assistance Package for Israel
In 2016, Susan Rice negotiated a new memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Israel for $38 billion in military assistance, the largest such package in Israel's history.
March 8, 2017: Visiting Research Fellow at American University
On March 8, 2017, Susan Rice became a distinguished visiting research fellow at American University's School of International Service (SIS).
April 3, 2017: Report on Unmasking of Americans in Intelligence Reports
On April 3, 2017, it was reported that Susan Rice, as National Security Advisor, had requested the unmasking of some Americans mentioned in intelligence reports related to Donald Trump's campaign and transition.
August 2017: McMaster's Conclusion on Rice's Actions
In August 2017, Eli Lake reported that H. R. McMaster, Susan Rice's successor as national security advisor, concluded that Rice did nothing wrong regarding the unmasking of American citizens.
September 2017: Testimony to House Intelligence Committee
In September 2017, Susan Rice testified to the House Intelligence Committee about her unmasking requests, stating it was due to a redacted intelligence report concerning a visit by UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in December 2016. Her testimony appeared to allay Republican concerns.
2017: Commander of the Legion of Honour
In 2017, President François Hollande named Susan Rice a commander of the Legion of Honour for her contributions to Franco-American relations.
2017: Death of Lois Rice
In 2017, Susan Rice's mother, education policy scholar Lois Rice, passed away.
2017: Renewed Chemical Attacks in Syria
In 2017, the Assad regime obtained or produced additional sarin gas for renewed chemical attacks, despite previous efforts to remove chemical weapons.
March 28, 2018: Appointment to Netflix Board of Directors
On March 28, 2018, Susan Rice was appointed to the board of directors at Netflix.
April 2019: Rice Decides Against Senate Run
In April 2019, Susan Rice announced she would not run for Senate in 2020, after considering challenging Susan Collins.
May 2020: Appointment of John Bash to Examine Unmasking
In May 2020, Attorney General Bill Barr appointed federal prosecutor John Bash to examine unmasking conducted by the Obama administration, including the actions of Susan Rice.
July 2020: Considered for Vice Presidential Running Mate
In July 2020, Susan Rice was widely reported to be under consideration as Joe Biden's vice presidential running mate in the 2020 general election.
August 11, 2020: Kamala Harris Selected as Running Mate
On August 11, 2020, Kamala Harris was selected as Joe Biden's running mate, ending Susan Rice's consideration for the position.
September 5, 2020: Rice Joins Biden-Harris Transition Team
On September 5, 2020, Susan Rice was announced as a member of the advisory council of the Biden-Harris Transition Team, which planned Biden's presidential transition.
October 2020: Conclusion of Unmasking Inquiry
In October 2020, John Bash's inquiry into unmasking during the Obama administration concluded with no findings of substantive wrongdoing.
2020: Considered Challenging Susan Collins
In 2020, Susan Rice considered challenging Susan Collins for her Senate seat, after Collins voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
2021: Director of the Domestic Policy Council
In 2021, Susan Rice became the director of the Domestic Policy Council in the Biden administration.
May 2022: Release of Bash's Report
In May 2022, John Bash's previously classified report on unmasking was released, finding no evidence of improper motivations during the 2016 election period or presidential transition.
April 2023: Accusations of Negligence in Migrant Child Labor Crisis
In April 2023, Hannah Dreier suggested that Susan Rice may have been negligent in response to the migrant child labor crisis.
April 24, 2023: Departure from Domestic Policy Council Announced
On April 24, 2023, President Biden announced that Susan Rice would be departing from her position as director of the Domestic Policy Council on May 26, 2023.
May 24, 2023: Rice Touts Policy Work
On May 24, 2023, Susan Rice touted her work in domestic and national security policy initiatives during her tenure at the White House.
May 25, 2023: Participation in Launch of U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism
On May 25, 2023, Susan Rice was part of the Biden administration team that launched the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
May 26, 2023: Rice Departs from Domestic Policy Council
On May 26, 2023, Susan Rice departed from her position as director of the Domestic Policy Council.
