Richard Clarke was born in 1951, the son of a Pennsylvania factory worker. He studied at the Boston Latin School and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1972. In 1973, he began work in the Federal Government as an employee in the Department of Defense.
Starting in 1985, Clarke served in the Reagan Administration as Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence. During the presidential administration of George H.W. Bush, he coordinated diplomatic efforts to support the 1990-1991 Gulf War and the subsequent security arrangements. He also advised Madeleine Albright during the Rwanda crisis. His positions inside the government have included:
United States National Security Council, 1992-2003
Special Advisor 2001-2003
National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism, 1998-2000
Chair of the Counter-terrorism Security Group, 1992-2003
United States Department of State 1985-1992
Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, 1989-1992
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence, 1985-1988
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