Ben Rhodes

Benjamin "Ben" Rhodes is an American political advisor best known for his role as Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy and Communications under President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2017. Born on June 23, 1977 in Baltimore, Maryland, Rhodes grew up in a family that encouraged public service and later pursued an education that positioned him for a career on the world stage. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard College, where he majored in political science and developed a keen interest in foreign policy, and subsequently earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, sharpening his analytical and legal expertise. After completing his studies, Rhodes entered the federal government, initially serving as a legislative assistant on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he worked closely with senior senators on matters of national security and diplomatic strategy.

Rhodes' reputation for strategic thinking and clear communication propelled him to the White House, where he joined the National Security Council as a senior director for strategic communications. In this capacity, he coordinated messaging across multiple agencies, helped shape the administration’s response to global crises, and played a pivotal role in crafting the diplomatic narrative surrounding the Iran nuclear deal and the fight against ISIS. His tenure as Deputy National Security Advisor was marked by a focus on integrating policy formulation with public outreach, a skill that earned him praise from both colleagues and journalists. After leaving the Obama administration, Rhodes continued to influence foreign policy as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and as an author, contributing to books and op‑eds that explore the complexities of modern geopolitics. Today, he remains a sought‑after commentator on international affairs, leveraging his experience to advise leaders, think‑tanks, and academic institutions on the evolving challenges of global security.