Lawrence Eagleburger

Lawrence Sidney Eagleburger – Life, Diplomacy, and Insightful Quotes

Discover the life and legacy of Lawrence Eagleburger (1930–2011), the only career U.S. Foreign Service officer to become Secretary of State, and explore his philosophies on diplomacy, power, and international order.

Introduction

Lawrence Eagleburger was a distinguished American diplomat whose decades of service spanned multiple administrations, culminating in his brief tenure as U.S. Secretary of State under President George H. W. Bush. Known for his deep institutional knowledge, realism in foreign affairs, and outspoken views, Eagleburger's career and public reflections offer a window into late 20th-century U.S. diplomacy.

Early Life and Education

Eagleburger was born August 1, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Helen (a teacher) and Leon S. Eagleburger (a physician).

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1952 from the University of Wisconsin and later completed a Master’s degree in 1957. U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant.

While pursuing his master’s, he discovered a notice for the Foreign Service exam, took it, and passed. He later recalled he had not previously imagined entering diplomatic service before that moment.

Diplomatic Career & Rise

Early Assignments & Foreign Service

Eagleburger entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1957.

He served as special assistant on Franco-NATO matters and joined the National Security Council staff in the mid-1960s.

Nixon to Carter to Reagan Years

Under President Nixon, Eagleburger became an assistant to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger (1969–1971), rising in roles related to NATO and foreign policy.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Eagleburger Ambassador to Yugoslavia, where he served until 1980.

When Ronald Reagan took office, Eagleburger served as Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (1981–1982), then Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (1982–1984).

Deputy Secretary & Secretary of State

Under President George H. W. Bush, Eagleburger served as Deputy Secretary of State from March 1989 until December 1992.

In August 1992, when Secretary James Baker left to run the Bush re-election campaign, Eagleburger became Acting Secretary of State. recess appointment as Secretary of State, serving until January 1993—making his term one of the shortest in modern history. career Foreign Service Officer to have served as U.S. Secretary of State.

Key Contributions & Controversies

• Yugoslavia / Balkan Policy: Eagleburger’s deep experience in Yugoslavia shaped U.S. perspectives on the Balkans during the collapse of communism, but he drew criticism for his perceived favor toward Serbia and skepticism regarding reports of war atrocities.

• Holocaust-Era Insurance Claims: After leaving government, he chaired the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC), guiding resolution of unpaid insurance claims from survivors and heirs.

• Public Critiques & Views: Even post-retirement, Eagleburger remained vocally engaged in foreign policy debates—especially in the Middle East, nuclear proliferation, and U.S. diplomatic strategy.

On the personal front, he had three sons (all named Lawrence with different middle names) and was married to Marlene Ann Heinemann from 1966 until her death in 2010.

He died on June 4, 2011 in Charlottesville, Virginia, of pneumonia.

Philosophy & Voice: Selected Quotes

Here are a number of Eagleburger’s remarks that capture his views on diplomacy, security, and global order:

• “Any Ambassador or Foreign Service Officer who has his or her head screwed on right knows that the U.S. position in the world is far more dependent on our ability to compete in world markets.”

• “The point is, once they have a missile that can hit the United States, we are now back in the kind of game we used to worry about with the Soviet Union . . . only the Soviet Union was more mature about this whole thing than I think the North Koreans will be.”

• “There are sometimes problems for which there is no immediate solution, and there are sometimes problems for which there is no solution.”

• “We must advertise to U.S. business that we are there, that our attitude has changed, and that we care. When we are asked to help, we have to perform and provide the right advice.”

• “The fact of the matter is that if we were going to do anything about Gaddafi, it should have been at the beginning. And by fooling around like this as long as we have, we have wasted an opportunity that would have gotten rid of him.”

• “My father was somewhat to the right of Genghis Khan.”

These quotes reflect his realism about American power, the limits of diplomacy, the practical needs of integrating economics into foreign policy, and a frank, sometimes blunt style.

Lessons from Eagleburger’s Life

1. Institutional Expertise Matters
   Eagleburger’s long career in the Foreign Service endowed him with deep institutional memory and a breadth of policy perspective unavailable to many political appointees.

2. Realism Over Idealism
   He often stressed that foreign policy must confront hard constraints — national capabilities, adversary intent, and geopolitical limits — rather than be guided solely by ideological goals.

3. Diplomacy and Commerce Are Linked
   Much of his public commentary underlines that diplomacy must pair with economic strategy and support for U.S. business abroad.

4. Speak Even After Office
   He remained engaged, offering critiques and commentary even after formal roles ended, illustrating the ongoing role of experienced voices in policy debate.

5. Controversy is Inevitable
   Especially in conflict zones or transitional regimes (as in Yugoslavia), diplomats become the target of critique for perceived partiality or misjudgment. Eagleburger’s legacy is mixed in this respect, reminding us that even statesmen are judged in contested historical frames.

Conclusion

Lawrence Eagleburger’s professional journey—from a midwestern upbringing to becoming the only career Foreign Service officer to serve as U.S. Secretary of State—epitomizes a life devoted to diplomacy, strategy, and the often unglamorous toil of statecraft. His views on the intersection of economics and foreign policy, his candid assessments of power, and his long tenure across multiple administrations make his life instructive for those interested in how American diplomacy works (and sometimes falters).