Biography of Dr. J. D. Crouch II, Former Assistant to the President
and Deputy National Security Advisor

On January 31, 2005, President George W. Bush named Dr. J.D. Crouch II as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor. Dr. Crouch announced his departure from the White House on May 4, 2007.

Dr. Crouch previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania where he worked to expand democracy in the region, increase cooperation between the United States and Romania in the global war on terror, and foster Romania's incorporation into Western security institutions including NATO and the European Union.

Prior to becoming Ambassador to Romania, Dr. Crouch served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy from August 2001 through October 2003. He was the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense on the formulation and coordination of policy for NATO, Europe, Russia, the Central Asian Republics, the Caucasus and the Balkans, nuclear forces, missile defense, technology security policy, counterproliferation, and arms control.

Dr. Crouch first came to the Administration in 2001 from the position of Associate Professor of Defense and Strategic Studies at Southwest Missouri State University. Earlier in his career, Dr. Crouch was the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy. From 1984 to 1986, he worked for the Assistant Director for Strategic Programs in the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and was an advisor to the U.S. Delegation on Nuclear and Space Arms Talks with the former Soviet Union.

Dr. Crouch received his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and his Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Southern California.