Isabella Carter
Mike Pompeo, a retired American politician, has had a long and varied career in diplomacy. He served as the 70th Secretary of State of the United States from 2018 to 2021 and as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2017 to 2018. Pompeo's career in public service began in 2010 when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served until 2017. He also has experience in the military, graduating first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 and serving as an officer in the U.S. Army until 1991. Pompeo's time in the military and at West Point has been cited as valuable preparation for his diplomatic career. As Secretary of State, Pompeo played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and was involved in significant diplomatic efforts, such as the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. He also took a hard line on North Korea, emphasising the need for complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. More recently, Pompeo has taken on a teaching role, sharing his expertise in diplomacy with students at Columbia University's Institute of Global Politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military background | Graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986, serving in the US Army until 1991 |
| Foreign policy experience | Helped craft US foreign policy as Secretary of State, including brokering the Abraham Accords |
| CIA experience | Served as Director of the CIA from 2017-2018, working on issues such as North Korea and ISIS |
| Congressional experience | Served in the US House of Representatives from 2011-2017, representing Kansas's 4th congressional district |
| Academic credentials | Graduated from Harvard Law School and served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review |
| Leadership experience | Founded Thayer Aerospace and led two manufacturing businesses in the aerospace and oilfield industries |
| Political alignment | Lifelong Republican and conservative |
| Diplomatic teaching | Hired by Columbia University to teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership |
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What You'll Learn
- Mike Pompeo has been hired by Columbia University to teach a course on diplomacy
- He has experience in foreign policy, having served as the CIA Director and Secretary of State
- Pompeo has been involved in brokering deals in the Middle East, such as the Abraham Accords
- He has been privy to America's toughest national security challenges since 2010
- Pompeo has been involved in discussions about North Korea and Iran's Qasem Soleimani
Mike Pompeo has been hired by Columbia University to teach a course on diplomacy
Mike Pompeo, a retired American politician, has been hired by Columbia University to teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership. The course will be offered by the university's Institute of Global Politics, where Pompeo will serve as a Carnegie Distinguished Fellow.
Pompeo's extensive experience in foreign policy and diplomacy makes him a valuable instructor for students interested in international relations and statecraft. He served as the 70th United States Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021 and as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2017 to 2018 under the Trump administration. During his tenure as Secretary of State, Pompeo played a key role in normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates through the Abraham Accords. He also prioritized religious liberty and property rights in the US human rights policy.
Pompeo's diplomatic expertise was honed during his time in the military and his subsequent career in public service. He graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986, majoring in engineering management. He then served as a cavalry officer in the US Army, patrolling the Iron Curtain in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of international relations and the complexities of the Cold War.
Pompeo's transition from the military to the private sector saw him become an entrepreneur in the aerospace and oilfield industries. However, his calling to public service brought him back to the political arena, where he served as a representative for Kansas's 4th congressional district from 2011 to 2017. During this period, he also served on the House Intelligence Committee, tackling national security challenges and gaining valuable insights into America's foreign policy landscape.
Pompeo's appointment at Columbia University is expected to enrich the academic community and provide students with a unique perspective on diplomacy and global politics. His practical experience and insights will undoubtedly offer a distinct advantage to those aspiring to pursue careers in international relations and diplomacy.
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He has experience in foreign policy, having served as the CIA Director and Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo has extensive experience in foreign policy. He served as the 70th United States secretary of state from 2018 to 2021 and as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2017 to 2018. In these roles, Pompeo was at the forefront of shaping and executing American foreign policy.
As secretary of state, Pompeo was the nation's top diplomat and chief negotiator, responsible for guiding the country's diplomatic corps in formulating and executing the president's foreign policy agenda. During his tenure, he prioritized religious liberty and property rights in the US human rights policy. He also played a key role in normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates through the Abraham Accords, which also led to America becoming a significant energy exporter and a force for good in the Middle East. Pompeo's time as secretary of state was marked by his loyalty to President Trump, going as far as to support his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Pompeo's experience as CIA director further underscores his expertise in foreign policy. He was America's most senior spy, overseeing some of the Trump administration's most notable foreign policy achievements. Under his leadership, the CIA played a crucial role in preserving the integrity of North Korean sanctions and targeting ISIS leadership, significantly reducing their territorial holdings. Pompeo's tenure as CIA director also saw him address foreign policy challenges, such as his trip to Turkey and the Gulf, where he sought to foster partnerships in the fight against terrorism in the Middle East.
Pompeo's background as a military officer and his time in Congress, where he served on the House Intelligence Committee, further contribute to his foreign policy expertise. His military career included serving as a cavalry officer in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall and patrolling the Iron Curtain. This experience, combined with his time in Congress, provided him with a deep understanding of national security challenges and the inner workings of American foreign policy.
Pompeo's extensive experience in foreign policy has been recognized by Columbia University, which appointed him as a Carnegie Distinguished Fellow at its Institute of Global Politics. In this role, Pompeo will teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership, sharing his expertise with the next generation of diplomats.
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Pompeo has been involved in brokering deals in the Middle East, such as the Abraham Accords
Mike Pompeo has a background in military and political service, as well as foreign policy, which has contributed to his expertise in diplomacy. Pompeo graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986, where he majored in engineering management. He then served in the US Army as an armour officer until 1991, holding several leadership positions. Pompeo's military experience and training likely provided him with a strong foundation in strategic thinking and negotiation skills, which are essential in diplomacy.
Following his military career, Pompeo worked as an attorney and then became an entrepreneur in the aerospace and oilfield industries. He entered politics in 2010 when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Kansas's 4th congressional district until 2017. Pompeo's time in Congress exposed him to foreign policy issues and allowed him to develop relationships with other political leaders.
In 2017, Pompeo was appointed as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), serving until 2018. As CIA Director, he would have gained valuable insights into international affairs and developed expertise in foreign relations. Pompeo's performance in this role earned him his appointment as the 70th United States Secretary of State in 2018.
As Secretary of State, Pompeo played a crucial role in brokering deals in the Middle East, specifically the Abraham Accords. The Abraham Accords are bilateral agreements that normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and two Arab countries: the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. The agreements were signed on September 15, 2020, and were named the "Abraham Accords" to highlight the common belief in Abraham by both Judaism and Islam.
The Abraham Accords were a significant development in the Middle East, as they marked the first time since 1994 that Israel had established diplomatic relations with an Arab country. The process towards the accords included several components. Firstly, the US moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognising Israeli sovereignty over the city. Secondly, the US facilitated the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE, enhancing the country's military capabilities. Finally, the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani by the US demonstrated its determination in its battle against Iran, which influenced the negotiations.
The Abraham Accords were not without criticism, particularly from citizens of the Arab states involved and other Arab countries. The criticism intensified after violent protests and conflicts erupted between Israel and Hamas in 2021. Despite this, the Accords represented a significant achievement in Middle East diplomacy and highlighted Pompeo's expertise in brokering complex international agreements.
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He has been privy to America's toughest national security challenges since 2010
Mike Pompeo has had a long and varied career in American politics and diplomacy. He has been privy to some of America's toughest national security challenges since 2010, when he served on the House Intelligence Committee as a freshman member of Congress. Pompeo's career in public service began with his military service. He graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 and served as an officer in the US Army until 1991. During his military career, Pompeo served as a tank platoon leader, cavalry troop executive officer, and squadron maintenance officer in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
After leaving the military, Pompeo graduated from Harvard Law School and worked as an attorney until 1998. He then became an entrepreneur in the aerospace and oilfield industries, founding Thayer Aerospace with fellow West Point graduates. In 2010, Pompeo was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Kansas's 4th congressional district. As a member of Congress, he served on the House Intelligence Committee and was involved in addressing national security challenges.
In 2017, Pompeo transitioned to a role in the executive branch, serving as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) under President Donald Trump. As CIA Director, he was at the heart of some of the Trump administration's biggest foreign policy accomplishments. For example, the CIA helped preserve the integrity of North Korean sanctions and worked to target ISIS leadership and reduce their territorial holdings. Pompeo also played a key role in shaping US foreign policy and negotiating with North Korea, leading up to President Trump's meeting with Kim Jong-un.
Pompeo's experience in national security and foreign policy continued to grow when he became the 70th United States Secretary of State in 2018. In this role, he was the nation's most senior diplomat and chief negotiator, helping to craft US foreign policy based on America First principles. During his tenure, the US moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Pompeo also prioritized religious liberty and property rights in the US human rights policy.
Pompeo's extensive experience in national security and diplomacy has prepared him to take on new roles as a teacher and mentor. In 2025, he joined Columbia University's Institute of Global Politics as a Carnegie Distinguished Fellow, teaching a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership.
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Pompeo has been involved in discussions about North Korea and Iran's Qasem Soleimani
Mike Pompeo has held several political positions that have given him experience in diplomacy. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986, majoring in engineering management. He then served in the US Army for five years as an armour officer. Pompeo also worked as an attorney and entrepreneur before being elected to the US House of Representatives in 2010. He served as a representative until 2017, when he was appointed director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) under the Trump administration. In 2018, Pompeo became the 70th United States secretary of state, a role he held until 2021.
As secretary of state, Pompeo was involved in discussions about North Korea and its nuclear program. In 2018, North Korean officials met with US President Donald Trump in Singapore, signalling a potential end to their nuclear testing program. Pompeo travelled to Pyongyang three times and held talks with senior North Korean officials, including Kim Yong-chol, to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, North Korea accused Pompeo of making "'gangster-like' demands", and in 2020, he downplayed the possibility of a summit with North Korea, stating that the country had decided "not to engage" with the US.
Pompeo was also involved in discussions about Iran's Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's paramilitary Quds Force. In 2017, Pompeo sent a "secret" message to Soleimani, warning him not to attack "US interests" in the region, particularly in Iraq. This message was publicized by the Tehran regime and criticized as a political "'stunt' by some intelligence veterans. In 2021, Pompeo was reportedly among the advisers who urged Trump to authorize a drone strike that killed Soleimani. Following the strike, Pompeo mocked Soleimani and defended the Trump administration's policy towards Iran.
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Frequently asked questions
Mike Pompeo has held several positions that have involved diplomacy. He served as the 70th United States secretary of state from 2018 to 2021 and was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2017 to 2018. He also served in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017, during which he was a member of the House Intelligence Committee. Pompeo graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 and served as a cavalry officer in the U.S. Army until 1991. He was also an attorney before becoming an entrepreneur in the aerospace and oilfield industries. In 2025, Pompeo was hired by Columbia University as a distinguished fellow at its Institute of Global Politics to teach a course on diplomacy.
As Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo helped craft US foreign policy based on the nation's founding ideals, with a focus on putting America first. He prioritized religious liberty and property rights in the US human rights policy. During his tenure, the US moved its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and brokered the Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
As the director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo was America's most senior spy and was involved in some of the Trump administration's biggest foreign policy accomplishments. The CIA, under his leadership, helped preserve the integrity of North Korean sanctions and worked with the Department of Defense and US allies to target and reduce ISIS territorial holdings.
Mike Pompeo graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 and served as a cavalry officer in the US Army until 1991. He patrolled the Iron Curtain in West Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall and was a tank platoon leader before becoming a cavalry troop executive officer and then a squadron maintenance officer.
After leaving his position as Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo published a book titled "Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love," which includes stories from his time as Secretary of State and CIA Director. He also joined Columbia University's Institute of Global Politics as a Carnegie Distinguished Fellow in 2025, where he will teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership.
