Ben Rhodes

White House Profile

Ben Rhodes

Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting

Ben Rhodes is the Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting, overseeing President Obama’s national security communications, speechwriting, and global engagement. Previously, he served as Deputy Director of White House Speechwriting, and as a Senior Speechwriter for the Obama campaign. Prior to joining Obama for America, he worked for several years as Special Assistant to Lee Hamilton at the Wilson Center, where he helped draft the Iraq Study Group Report and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. He is the co-author, with Lee Hamilton and Tom Kean, of Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission. A native of New York City, Ben has a B.A. from Rice University, and an M.F.A. from New York University.

Follow Ben Rhodes on Twitter @Rhodes44.

Ben Rhodes's Posts

Announcing the Advisory Council to the President’s Taskforce on Wildlife Trafficking

September 9, 2013 at 4:09 PM EDT

Earlier today, I joined Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Clinton Foundation Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton for an event here at the White House to discuss efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. Secretary Jewell also announced the members of the Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking, which was formed to increase U.S. efforts to counter poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

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Foreign Policy

On Nowruz, President Obama Speaks to the Iranian People

March 20, 2012 at 9:05 AM EDT

Today is a holiday that reminds us of the rich culture of the Iranian people, and the extraordinary contributions that they have made to human history. Yet even as holidays like this underscore the connections that we share as human beings, the Government of Iran is going to great lengths to isolate the Iranian people by cutting them off from the outside world.

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Foreign Policy

A Continuing Commitment to Supporting Religious Freedom

July 21, 2011 at 5:19 PM EDT

Since its founding, the United States has a long-standing commitment to supporting religious freedom in all around the world, and will continue to speak out for the universal rights of people to practice their religion.

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Defense

Infographic: Troop Levels in Afghanistan and Iraq

June 23, 2011 at 4:40 PM EDT

Take a look at this infographic that lays out how President Obama is winding down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while keeping America safe.

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Foreign Policy

The Thorough Review of the New START Treaty

December 17, 2010 at 4:55 PM EDT

Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Rhodes, debunks the argument that the New START Treaty is being rushed.

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Foreign Policy

The President Speaks to the Iranian People in Interview with BBC Persian

September 24, 2010 at 6:14 PM EDT

The President once again speaks to millions of Iranians, this time in an interview with Bahman Kalbasi of BBC Persian.

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Foreign Policy

A Tragic Loss for Poland

April 10, 2010 at 12:48 PM EDT

In a terrible accident, President Lech Kaczynski of Poland was killed in a plane crash along with his wife, and an extraordinary and distinguished delegation of Polish civilian and military leaders.

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Defense

A Year Taking on Unprecedented Challenges Abroad

January 12, 2010 at 12:59 PM EDT

Ben Rhodes, who is with the National Security Council, looks over the last year in foreign policy.

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