Biography
Col. (ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson's last positions in government were as Secretary of State Colin Powell's Chief of Staff (2002-05), Associate Director of the State Department's Policy Planning staff under the directorship of Ambassador Richard N. Haass, and member of that staff responsible for East Asia and the Pacific, political-military and legislative affairs (2001-02).
Before serving at the State Department, Wilkerson served 31 years in the U.S. Army. During that time, he was a member of the faculty of the U.S. Naval War College (1987 to 1989), Special Assistant to General Powell when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-93), and Director and Deputy Director of the U.S. Marine Corps War College at Quantico, Virginia (1993-97). Wilkerson retired in 1997 and began work as an advisor to General Powell. He has also taught national security affairs at the George Washington University and is currently working on a book about the first George W. Bush administration.
Areas of Expertise
- Vietnam War
- Diplomacy / National security process
- Iraq wars
- China / Russia “new” Cold War
- U.S. Nuclear policy
- Defense budgetary process
- U.S.-Iranian relations
Recent News
- Lawrence Wilkerson & Dennis Laich: America’s all-volunteer force is in crisis — and denialWe’re losing the ability to field military forces sufficient to the missions our country assigns them. It is time to curb those missions or find a different way to field our forces.
- Lawrence Wilkerson, Dennis Laich, & Erik Edstrom: Climate action, as patriotismDespite a clear, lawful order to get vaccinated, tens of thousands of active duty…members have refused to be vaccinated, thereby disobeying a lawful order and being insubordinate. After standing by Powell’s side for more than a decade, Wilkerson gives an exclusive look at Powell’s internal conflict, blind spots and disillusionment over his role in the Iraq War.
- Lawrence Wilkerson & Dennis Laich: Insurrection has led to dereliction of dutyDespite a clear, lawful order to get vaccinated, tens of thousands of active duty…members have refused to be vaccinated, thereby disobeying a lawful order and being insubordinate. After standing by Powell’s side for more than a decade, Wilkerson gives an exclusive look at Powell’s internal conflict, blind spots and disillusionment over his role in the Iraq War.