Distinguished Visiting Fellow
US foreign policy, transatlantic relations, economic security
English
Jim O’Brien is a distinguished visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. At ECFR, he works on identifying issues that can form the basis of a renewed and sustained transatlantic partnership.
Previously, O’Brien served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs in the Biden administration, as head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination, and under President Obama as the special envoy for hostage affairs. He was also a career official at the State Department from 1989 to 2001, serving in the Office of the Secretary, Policy Planning, and the Office of the Legal Adviser as well as presidential envoy for the Balkans.
Outside government, O’Brien was a founder and Vice Chair of international advisory firm Albright Stonebridge group (ASG), which has worked in more than 100 countries globally since 2001. He holds a JD from Yale Law School, a MA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a BA from Macalester College.
Trump’s family and friends are trying—but failing—to broker peace in Gaza, Ukraine and beyond. The network they are building blends diplomacy with profit. Europe needs to find a way to shape the terms
Generali and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) organised a Geopolitical Briefing with Jim O’Brien, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at ECFR and former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs in the Biden administration. This session provided a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the current geopolitical landscape and its implications for economies and financial markets. The discussion was…
Mark Leonard welcomes Tiago Antunes and Jim O’Brien to unpack what the Greenland crisis means for Europe and the transatlantic alliance
Europeans have real leverage in the face of Donald Trump’s threats towards Greenland—and time on their side. They must use it to raise the prospective costs of annexation
Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Kobzova and Jim O’Brien to unpack the leaked 28-point US-Russia plan for Ukraine and its implications for European security
Jeremy Shapiro welcomes Jana Kobzova and Jim O’Brien to discuss the latest twists in diplomacy between Ukraine, Russia and the West
The Trump-brokered deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan signals public US involvement in one of Europe’s most protracted conflicts. But the ceremony may have come too soon, triggering dynamics that could threaten lasting peace
European allies should urge the US government to use its unexploited sources of leverage over Russia—and learn from whether it does
Trump’s family and friends are trying—but failing—to broker peace in Gaza, Ukraine and beyond. The network they are building blends diplomacy with profit. Europe needs to find a way to shape the terms
Europeans have real leverage in the face of Donald Trump’s threats towards Greenland—and time on their side. They must use it to raise the prospective costs of annexation
The Trump-brokered deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan signals public US involvement in one of Europe’s most protracted conflicts. But the ceremony may have come too soon, triggering dynamics that could threaten lasting peace
European allies should urge the US government to use its unexploited sources of leverage over Russia—and learn from whether it does
Mark Leonard welcomes Tiago Antunes and Jim O’Brien to unpack what the Greenland crisis means for Europe and the transatlantic alliance
Mark Leonard welcomes Jana Kobzova and Jim O’Brien to unpack the leaked 28-point US-Russia plan for Ukraine and its implications for European security
Jeremy Shapiro welcomes Jana Kobzova and Jim O’Brien to discuss the latest twists in diplomacy between Ukraine, Russia and the West
Generali and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) organised a Geopolitical Briefing with Jim O’Brien, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at ECFR and former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs in the Biden administration. This session provided a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the current geopolitical landscape and its implications for economies and financial markets. The discussion was…
Jim O’Brien on the EU’s decision not to seize the Russian immobilised assets and the US’s approach to it
ECFR experts Jana Kobzova, Leo Litra, Lesia Ogryzko, Rafael Loss and Jim O’Brien comment on the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska
Jim O’Brien on the future of transatlantic relations