Paul Wolfowitz

Paul Wolfowitz
Paul Wolfowitz
Born	December 22, 1943 (age 82); Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Political scientist, diplomat
Known for	10th President of the World Bank, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Dean of Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies

Paul Dundes Wolfowitz (born December 22, 1943) is an American expert in political science and a diplomat who has held prominent roles including the 10th President of the World Bank, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, and dean of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University. At present, he serves as a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

Wolfowitz was instrumental in formulating the 2001 strategy for the Iraq invasion and stood as an early proponent of the Iraq War, frequently regarded as a principal "architect" behind the campaign. In the aftermath of Iraq’s insurgency and civil conflict, he denied having shaped policy decisions or bearing responsibility. He is recognized as a key figure within neoconservative circles.

In 2005, Wolfowitz departed from his Pentagon role to assume leadership of the World Bank but stepped down after two years amid controversy related to allegations that he used his position to advance the career of World Bank employee Shaha Riza, with whom he was romantically involved. This high-profile appointment sparked significant debate, and his resignation marked him as the only World Bank president to leave office due to scandal.

Early life

Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, Paul Wolfowitz was the second child of Jacob Wolfowitz and Lillian Dundes, members of a Polish Jewish immigrant family. His upbringing took place largely in Ithaca, New York, where his father taught statistical theory at Cornell University. During his time at Cornell, Wolfowitz was deeply influenced by John Hersey's Hiroshima (1946), which helped shape his perspective grounded more in academic and familial experience than military or political backgrounds. His father had fled Poland post-World War I, while most other family members were victims of the Holocaust.

In the mid-1960s, Wolfowitz met Clare Selgin at Cornell University; they married in 1968, had three children together, and resided in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The couple separated in 1999 and finalized their divorce by 2002. Later that year, Wolfowitz began a relationship with Shaha Riza, which would later generate controversy during his tenure at the World Bank.

Wolfowitz is proficient in six languages: English, Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, and Indonesian. He is also believed to have inspired a minor character in Saul Bellow's 2000 novel Ravelstein.

Education

Wolfowitz commenced his studies at Cornell University in 1961 and lived at the Telluride House, where philosophy professor Allan Bloom served as his faculty mentor. In August 1963, he participated alongside his mother in the civil rights march. As a member of the Quill and Dagger society, he graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics. Against his father's preferences, he chose to pursue graduate education in political science, driven by a commitment to avert nuclear conflict.

He completed his Ph.D. in political science at the University of Chicago in 1972 with a dissertation titled Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East: The Politics and Economics of Proposals for Nuclear Desalting. At Chicago, Wolfowitz studied under Leo Strauss and finalized his research under Albert Wohlstetter’s guidance. Wohlstetter’s mentorship significantly influenced Wolfowitz’s strategic outlook, as highlighted by colleague Richard Perle. In 1969, through Wohlstetter’s efforts, Wolfowitz joined the Committee to Maintain a Prudent Defense Policy alongside Perle and Peter Wilson.

During his dissertation phase, Wolfowitz also taught political science at Yale University from 1970 to 1972; among his students was future associate Scooter Libby.

Arms Control and Disarmament Agency

During the 1970s, both Wolfowitz and Perle worked as aides to Democratic Senator Henry M. Jackson, an early figure in neoconservatism. Jackson was known for his Cold War liberalism, advocating robust military budgets and a firm stance against the Soviet Union, while maintaining traditional Democratic principles.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon, responding to Jackson's influence, appointed Fred Ikle to lead the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA). Ikle then brought Wolfowitz onto the team. At ACDA, Wolfowitz engaged in research and provided testimony, participated in strategic arms limitation negotiations throughout Europe, and played a part in persuading South Korea to abandon plutonium reprocessing efforts that could have facilitated secret weapons programs.

Under President Gerald Ford’s administration, intelligence agencies were criticized for underestimating Soviet capabilities. To address these concerns, Director of Central Intelligence George H. W. Bush established an anti-Communist advisory group headed by Richard Pipes. On Perle’s suggestion, Wolfowitz joined this group, which became known as Team B. Their 1976 report argued that the Soviet Union remained committed to global dominance and pointed out significant intelligence shortcomings. Wolfowitz contributed notably to the assessment of medium-range missile strategies.

Although Team B had considerable influence, its findings faced criticism for relying on worst-case assumptions and neglecting internal vulnerabilities within the Soviet system.

In 1978, the FBI investigated allegations that Wolfowitz had passed classified information to an Israeli official through an intermediary connected to AIPAC regarding U.S. arms sales proposed for an Arab nation. The investigation concluded without any charges.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Regional Programs

In 1977, during the Carter administration, Wolfowitz was appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Regional Programs at the Pentagon, serving under Secretary of Defense Harold Brown.

He resigned in 1980 and took a position as a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Shortly thereafter, he switched his political affiliation to the Republican Party, citing his belief that the Democratic Party had drifted away from its traditional internationalist stance.

State Department Director of Policy Planning

Following Ronald Reagan’s victory in 1980, National Security Advisor Richard V. Allen initially declined but eventually appointed Wolfowitz as Director of Policy Planning at the State Department.

Reagan’s foreign policy was shaped by the Kirkpatrick Doctrine, which emphasized caution regarding democratization efforts in autocratic states. However, Wolfowitz took a different approach by openly criticizing Saddam Hussein at a time when Donald Rumsfeld favored supporting Iraq against Iran. He opposed engagement with the Palestine Liberation Organization and resisted selling AWACS surveillance aircraft to Saudi Arabia, firmly aligning himself as a pro-Israel voice within the administration.

Wolfowitz also challenged prevailing U.S.-China policy. While Nixon and Kissinger pursued concessions to keep China allied against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, Wolfowitz advocated for a more unilateral posture. He argued that the United States did not require China’s cooperation but that China relied heavily on American protection from Soviet threats. This position created tension with Secretary of State Alexander Haig, who considered Wolfowitz overly theoretical. Despite expectations that he would be replaced in 1982, Haig was succeeded by George Shultz, under whom Wolfowitz received a promotion.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

In 1982, Secretary of State Shultz appointed Wolfowitz to the position of Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

During Jeane Kirkpatrick's visit to the Philippines, dictator Ferdinand Marcos referenced her 1979 Commentary essay titled Dictatorships and Double Standards, which played a role in shaping Reagan’s approach toward Marcos. Following the 1983 assassination of opposition figure Benigno Aquino Jr., concerns intensified within the Reagan administration about a possible communist takeover in the Philippines, threatening U.S. military installations at Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay Naval Station. Wolfowitz called for a policy change, articulating in an April 1985 Wall Street Journal piece that "The best antidote to Communism is democracy." Alongside his deputy Lewis Libby, he traveled to Manila to promote democratic reforms and engage with non-communist opposition representatives.

The Reagan administration’s backing of democracy in the Philippines was measured and largely motivated by safeguarding military interests. After widespread demonstrations led to Marcos’s departure, the United States officially recognized Corazón Aquino’s government.

U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia

Between 1986 and 1989, Wolfowitz served as U.S. ambassador to Indonesia during President Suharto’s military-dominated regime.

Although initially skeptical due to cultural barriers, Wolfowitz effectively connected with Indonesian society by learning the language, participating in academic forums, and visiting local communities. His ambassadorship was characterized by a discreet promotion of political and economic reforms without directly confronting issues such as human rights abuses or corruption.

Officials noted his proactive engagement with sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and private enterprise development. Of particular note was his decision to terminate food aid amid concerns that Suharto’s family indirectly profited through ownership stakes in the country’s only flour mill.

In a 1998 Wall Street Journal article, Wolfowitz attributed Indonesia’s financial crisis partly to the Suharto family's greed, which hindered efforts toward economic recovery and contributed to political unrest.

Following the 2002 Bali bombing, then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz remarked that terrorist activities in Indonesia escalated after Suharto’s regime ended due to the removal of authoritarian controls that had previously suppressed such threats.

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

From 1989 until 1993, Wolfowitz held the post of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy under Secretary Dick Cheney during the George H. W. Bush administration. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, he led efforts coordinating military strategy and securing $50 billion in allied financial contributions. He attended the February 27, 1991 meeting where the decision was made to begin troop demobilization.

On February 25, 1998, Wolfowitz testified that the opportunity to topple Saddam Hussein was lost immediately following the Gulf War. He expressed dismay over U.S. restrictions that prevented targeting helicopters used by Hussein’s forces to suppress uprisings in Iraq and suggested that postponing the ceasefire could have removed Saddam Hussein from power.

After the war, Wolfowitz and his aide Scooter Libby drafted the 1992 "Defense Planning Guidance" (DPG), commonly referred to as the Wolfowitz Doctrine. This document outlined a strategic vision for U.S. foreign policy focused on preventing the rise of rival powers and maintaining unchallenged military dominance, even if acting alone. This represented a departure from traditional "containment" policies and faced resistance from Chairman Colin Powell and President Bush. Defense Secretary Cheney later issued a revised version incorporating some elements from Wolfowitz's proposals, many of which later influenced the Bush Doctrine. Wolfowitz departed government service following the 1992 election.

Johns Hopkins University

Between 1994 and 2001, Wolfowitz held the positions of Professor of International Relations and Dean at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) within Johns Hopkins University. During his tenure, he was instrumental in increasing the institution's endowment by more than $75 million, introduced a specialization in international finance, and unified various Asian studies programs. Additionally, he provided foreign policy counsel to Bob Dole during the 1996 U.S. presidential race.

In his capacity at SAIS, Wolfowitz promoted a conservative global agenda and maintained connections with the Project for the New American Century (PNAC). He endorsed PNAC’s 1997 "Statement of Principles" as well as its 1998 public letter addressed to President Bill Clinton.

In February 1998, Wolfowitz appeared before Congress to criticize the administration's perceived lack of determination in confronting Saddam Hussein. Later, in September 2000, PNAC published Rebuilding America's Defenses, which advocated for establishing permanent U.S. military installations worldwide to safeguard national interests. During the 2000 presidential election cycle, Wolfowitz served as a foreign policy advisor to George W. Bush within the group known as The Vulcans.

Deputy Secretary of Defense

From 2001 until 2005, Wolfowitz acted as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush, reporting directly to Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

The September 11 attacks significantly influenced administration strategy. Wolfowitz characterized 9/11 as a "wake up call" aimed at preventing future terrorist acquisition of weapons of mass destruction. In the immediate National Security Council meeting following the attacks, Rumsfeld proposed targeting Iraq alongside al-Qaeda; Wolfowitz agreed, viewing Iraq as a fragile and oppressive regime vulnerable to collapse. Although Secretary of State Colin Powell initially opposed this approach, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz advanced the plan, which evolved into the Bush Doctrine, emphasizing preemptive military action—a concept previously championed by the Project for the New American Century (PNAC).

Following these events, the U.S. launched an invasion of Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, targeting al-Qaeda strongholds. Wolfowitz declined NATO assistance, asserting that U.S. forces were capable of operating independently. Ten months later, he traveled to Kabul to support efforts toward stabilization and reconstruction under President Hamid Karzai but faced criticism over inadequate military and economic aid—challenges that reemerged after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

On April 16, 2002, Wolfowitz represented the Bush administration at Washington’s National Solidarity Rally for Israel alongside Benjamin Netanyahu and Rudolph Giuliani, reaffirming robust U.S.-Israel relations while recognizing Palestinian hardships.

Encouraged by successes in Afghanistan, Wolfowitz advocated for expanding American influence in the Middle East through regime change and promoting democracy and free-market principles—most notably through the invasion of Iraq commencing March 19, 2003. He was a vigorous supporter of this campaign, emphasizing concerns over weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as justification.

To strengthen intelligence backing for the Iraq invasion, Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld created the Office of Special Plans (OSP), circumventing traditional intelligence agencies such as the CIA and DIA. The OSP heavily relied on information from Iraqi exile leader Ahmad Chalabi of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), despite prior CIA skepticism regarding his credibility. This method led to accusations that intelligence was selectively used to rationalize military action under the War Powers Act.

Wolfowitz’s operational plan envisioned deploying limited ground forces supported by air power with occupation concentrated in southern Iraq to establish an INC-led government. He expected local uprisings against Saddam Hussein would reduce U.S. troop requirements and intended reconstruction funding to come from Iraqi oil revenues.

During testimony before Congress on March 27, 2003, Wolfowitz projected that Iraqi oil income could generate between $50 billion and $100 billion over two to three years to finance rebuilding efforts—a forecast later criticized as overly optimistic amid emerging Pentagon analyses indicating less favorable conditions.

Wolfowitz dismissed General Eric K. Shinseki’s assessment that several hundred thousand troops would be necessary for postwar stability in Iraq; instead, he predicted that fewer than 100,000 soldiers would be sufficient.

On October 26, 2003, while staying at Baghdad’s Al-Rashid Hotel, Wolfowitz narrowly avoided injury during a rocket attack that resulted in one soldier’s death and seventeen others wounded; he safely returned to the United States two days afterward.

World Bank Presidency

In March 2005, US President George W. Bush put forward Paul Wolfowitz as the World Bank's president. His nomination encountered opposition, notably from Nobel Prize winner and former chief economist of the World Bank, Joseph Stiglitz, who cautioned that it might trigger protests in developing nations. Economist Jeffrey Sachs also voiced disapproval, advocating for a leader with extensive experience in development.

Within the United States, some welcomed Wolfowitz's selection. The Wall Street Journal praised his readiness to confront authoritarian regimes, viewing him as well-equipped to tackle global poverty through such challenges. Wolfowitz was confirmed and officially took office on June 1, 2005. Soon after, he actively participated in international economic forums, including the 31st G8 summit, focusing on climate change and development issues in Africa. He was also present at the press briefing following the July 7, 2005 London bombings.

Several of his early personnel decisions generated controversy. This included appointing two Americans from the Bush administration to advisory roles with $250,000 tax-exempt contracts. Another appointment, Juan José Daboub, attracted criticism for advocating conservative views on climate policy and family planning.

Wolfowitz emphasized addressing Sub-Saharan Africa’s development hurdles and combating corruption. His anti-corruption campaign sparked debate after he appointed a Republican-affiliated individual to head the bank’s internal oversight unit, bypassing standard recruitment procedures. Concerns emerged about the possibility of selective suspension of loans aligning with US foreign policy interests. During the 2006 Annual Meetings, shareholders pressed for amendments to the Governance and Anti-Corruption Strategy to ensure impartial corruption assessments and enhanced Board supervision. Following consultations, an updated strategy was ratified in spring 2007.

Wolfowitz and Shaha Riza Relationship

Following Wolfowitz’s nomination by President George W. Bush as World Bank president, reports surfaced regarding his relationship with Shaha Ali Riza, a Senior Communications Officer at the Bank specializing in Middle East and North Africa issues. Riza, a British citizen educated at Oxford with expertise in women’s rights and Iraq reconstruction, had been part of the institution since 1999, prior to Wolfowitz’s nomination. Their relationship began in the late 1990s after both had ended previous marriages.

When Wolfowitz was under consideration for CIA director after the 2000 election, his then-wife Clare Wolfowitz alerted President-elect Bush that his involvement with a foreign national could raise national security concerns. This warning letter was reportedly intercepted by Scooter Libby and later became a contentious issue during Wolfowitz’s World Bank confirmation.

Despite cultural differences, Riza shared Wolfowitz’s dedication to advancing democracy in Arab countries and influenced his resolve to oust Saddam Hussein’s regime. Nonetheless, their relationship prompted ethical questions at the World Bank, where romantic relationships between supervisors and subordinates are prohibited.

Wolfowitz suggested recusing himself from decisions concerning Riza’s employment; however, the Ethics Committee declined this proposal. Subsequently, Riza was transferred to the State Department under Liz Cheney's leadership and received a managerial promotion along with a salary increase exceeding $60,000—more than twice the typical raise—fueling additional controversy. Although this pay raise was recommended by the Ethics Committee, it faced criticism for its lack of transparency.

Wolfowitz publicly addressed these issues during the 2007 World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings. The matter resurfaced in media reports in 2011, renewing discussions about ethical standards among leaders of major financial organizations.

Wolfowitz's tenure at the World Bank Group

In early 2007, Fox News released investigative reports on the World Bank that were based on leaked internal documents. On April 11, 2007, both Reuters and The Washington Post disclosed that Wolfowitz and the World Bank's board had engaged the law firm Williams & Connolly to probe the source of these leaks. An internal memorandum dated April 9, 2007, indicated that two articles by Fox News journalist Richard Behar were under examination. Subsequently, allegations emerged concerning salary increases granted to Shaha Riza that exceeded the Bank’s established policies.

The Financial Times, on April 12, 2007, reported that Wolfowitz himself had authorized a substantial pay raise and promotion for Riza in 2005, citing anonymous sources who had reviewed a memorandum. On April 14, the Bank released 102 pages of related documentation; the Financial Times described this release as potentially devastating for Wolfowitz. Contrastingly, Fox News suggested these documents could offer him a "new lifeline," noting that an ethics committee review had earlier found insufficient grounds for further disciplinary measures.

Wolfowitz’s absence from a critical meeting on April 19, 2007, alongside protests by employees wearing blue ribbons, underscored mounting opposition within the World Bank. Both board members and staff criticized Wolfowitz for enforcing Bush administration policies that sought to remove family planning initiatives from Bank programs. Managing Director Juan José Daboub was particularly noted for repeatedly excising family planning language from proposals.

On May 14, 2007, the World Bank’s ethics committee determined that Wolfowitz breached the Code of Conduct by orchestrating an excessive salary increase for Riza and by contravening conflict-of-interest regulations. Reports indicated he attempted to secure a unique resolution for himself distinct from other personnel.

Wolfowitz addressed these conclusions before the board on May 15. Speculation arose regarding possible board responses, including dismissal or a vote of no confidence. By May 16, The New York Times reported that Wolfowitz was negotiating terms to resign in exchange for reduced allegations of misconduct. Despite receiving full backing from the Bush administration and calls for equitable treatment, President Bush expressed regret over Wolfowitz’s forthcoming exit.

On May 17, 2007, the World Bank Group’s board publicly announced that Wolfowitz would step down as president at the end of June 2007.

Recent engagements

As a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Wolfowitz contributed blog entries and took part in various events. In 2011, he authored opinion pieces for outlets such as The Independent, The Sunday Times, and Newsweek.

He previously held a position on the steering committee of the Bilderberg group.

In February 2013, Wolfowitz endorsed legalizing same-sex marriage by submitting an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court. In February 2015, he provided foreign policy advice to presidential hopeful Jeb Bush.

In August 2016, Wolfowitz declared his intention to support Hillary Clinton in the 2016 United States presidential election, despite having reservations; however, he later clarified that he ultimately did not cast his vote for her.

In January 2017, he authored an op-ed in The New York Times responding to a dissent cable signed by approximately 1,000 Foreign Service Officers opposing President Trump’s immigration executive order.

In February 2023, Wolfowitz was honored with the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon by President of the Republic of China Tsai Ing-wen in recognition of his efforts to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. relations.

External links

Paul Wolfowitz at the American Enterprise Institute

Official biographical sources

"Biography: Paul Wolfowitz – President of The World Bank Group", hosted on web.worldbank.org (World Bank Group). Accessed May 4, 2007.
"Paul Wolfowitz – Deputy Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense". Accessed May 4, 2007.
– Archived biography from the United States Department of Defense, last updated March 16, 2005.
Wolfowitz, Paul. "Statement by Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank Group at WB/IMF Spring Meetings 2007". Published online by the World Bank Group, April 12, 2007.