Richard N. Haass
Richard N. Haass – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Richard N. Haass is a leading American diplomat, foreign-policy thinker, and former President of the Council on Foreign Relations. Explore his life and career, major achievements, guiding philosophy, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Richard Nathan Haass (born July 28, 1951) is an American diplomat, foreign policy expert, and author whose influence spans decades of U.S. engagement in world affairs. He has held key roles in the U.S. State Department, advised senior policymakers, and presided over the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations. His writing, analysis, and public commentary have shaped debates on democracy, global order, and America’s role abroad. Today, his insights remain deeply relevant in a shifting international environment.
Haass is known not just for his institutional roles but for the clarity and rigor of his thinking. He blends real-world diplomacy with theoretical analysis, making him a compelling figure both in policy circles and among wider audiences. In this article, we trace his journey, examine his impact, and reflect on the wisdom embedded in his famous sayings.
Early Life and Family
Richard N. Haass was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 28, 1951, into a Jewish family.
Haass grew up in suburban Long Island, attending Roslyn High School, from which he graduated in 1969. His early environment fostered a strong interest in ideas, public service, and global issues.
Youth and Education
After high school, Haass enrolled at Oberlin College in Ohio, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973.
His time at Oxford deepened his engagement with international affairs, political theory, and the ethical underpinnings of statecraft. These academic foundations laid the groundwork for his later career as a bridging figure between scholarship and policy.
Career and Achievements
Early career
Haass began his public service journey in the late 1970s and early 1980s, first working at the Department of Defense (1979–1980) and then moving to roles in the State Department (1981–1985). Over time, he earned a reputation as a thoughtful, principled operator who could speak both policy and diplomatic languages.
In the period 1989–1993, he served as a special assistant to President George H. W. Bush and as senior director for Near East and South Asian affairs on the National Security Council.
Policy planning and envoy roles
Under President George W. Bush, Haass became Director of Policy Planning at the State Department (2001–2003).
Simultaneously, Haass served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, succeeding George J. Mitchell.
Council on Foreign Relations
In July 2003, Haass became President of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a leading nonpartisan think tank in U.S. foreign policy circles.
Under his leadership, the CFR’s public voice, publications, and convening power expanded, making it a central hub for ideas on global order, U.S. engagement, and multilateral governance.
Following his CFR tenure, Haass joined Centerview Partners as a senior counselor, bringing his foreign policy acumen into realms of global capital and geopolitics.
Publications & intellectual contribution
Haass is a prolific author and editor. His books range from deep policy studies to reflections on America’s civic responsibilities. Some of his notable works include:
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A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order
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Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order
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War of Necessity, War of Choice: A Memoir of Two Iraq Wars
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The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens
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The Reluctant Sheriff: The United States After the Cold War
His writing often probes themes of U.S. power, multilateral institutions, the paradoxes of intervention, and the challenges of global disorder.
Historical Milestones & Context
Cold War aftermath & global realignment
Haass emerged in public life during the post–Cold War period, when American dominance was near at hand and the question was how to shape the world that followed. His early work took place during the unipolar moment, when the U.S. faced the challenge of managing transitions in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
9/11, war on terror, and Iraq
The rise of global terrorism and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq reshaped American foreign policy. Haass was deeply involved during the Bush administration in the framing of strategy, including the decision-making around use of force, nation-building, and coalition diplomacy. While he did not fully endorse the Iraq War, he studied its consequences carefully. War of Necessity, War of Choice.
Northern Ireland peace process
Haass’s role in Northern Ireland, first as special envoy and later as mediator, placed him at the intersection of diplomacy, conflict resolution, and transitional justice. The 2013 talks he led showed that even years after formal peace agreements, unresolved political and symbolic matters can destabilize fragile settlements.
Era of disorder and multipolar challenges
In his later years, Haass has argued that we are entering an “era of disorder” — where power diffusion, rising populism, nationalism, and technological disruption make global management harder. He has urged that the United States must adapt — not through hegemony, but through alliance building, institutional renewal, and humility in its ambitions.
Legacy and Influence
Richard Haass occupies a distinctive place in the American foreign policy establishment — part academic, part diplomat, part public intellectual. His legacy can be seen along multiple axes:
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Institutional building: Through his long presidency of CFR, he shaped one of the preeminent platforms for policy discussion in the U.S.
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Bridge-building: Haass has often served as a bridge between administration insiders, think tanks, academia, and the media — making complex foreign policy more accessible.
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Realist but normative voice: He combines realist awareness of power constraints with a normative commitment to order, cooperation, and institutional renewal.
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Long-term thinker: His insistence that U.S. foreign policy must begin at home (i.e. domestic foundations) has influenced subsequent debates on how America can sustain its global role.
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Mentorship and public influence: Through his books, commentary, dialogues, and speeches, he has influenced generations of diplomats, analysts, and interested citizens.
Though he has left his CFR post, his voice continues as President Emeritus and through his writing and consultancy roles.
Personality and Talents
Haass is often described as intellectually rigorous, disciplined, and modest. He combines deep historical awareness with agility in real-time policy debates. Many colleagues remark on his fairness in debate, ability to disagree without animus, and insistence on clarity over rhetoric.
As a communicator, Haass has the rare capacity to traverse dense policy terrain while preserving public intelligibility. His humility is notable: he often admits uncertainty, recognizes trade-offs, and refuses to present foreign affairs as black-and-white.
In personal life, Haass and his wife, Susan Mercandetti (a television producer), have two children and reside in New York City.
Famous Quotes of Richard N. Haass
Below is a curated selection of Haass’s memorable quotations, each reflecting a facet of his worldview:
“Diplomacy can and will matter; little is inevitable in international relations.”
“Television was our chief tool in selling our policy.”
“Multi-lateralism’s dilemma: that the inclusion of more actors increases the legitimacy of a process or organization at the same time as it decreases its efficiency and utility.”
“Bad situations can always get worse.”
“It is in the interest of Americans to find out what those wanting to be president think about a wide range of challenges … We should want to get their take on the wisdom of past decisions.”
“Success in foreign policy, as in carpentry, requires the right tools for the job.”
“Security is the absolute precondition for sustainable recovery from conflict; without it, people cannot rebuild their country or return to school or work.”
“Go visit any of the presidential libraries … Walk a Civil War battlefield … Do not skip out on serving on a jury.”
“Loose talk about resurrecting a multi-polar world is just that — loose talk.”
These quotes show Haass’s range: from high diplomacy to civic admonition, from systemic pessimism to practical advice.
Lessons from Richard N. Haass
From Haass’s life and work, several lessons stand out — for students of international affairs, public service, and engaged citizenship:
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Bridge theory and practice: Haass shows the value of combining sober analysis with diplomatic pragmatism.
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Domestic strength undergirds global credibility: His insistence that foreign policy “begins at home” underscores that America's international engagement depends on internal health.
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Embrace complexity and humility: He rarely offers simplistic fixes; instead he urges trade-off awareness and cautious optimism.
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Invest in institutions: As global disorder rises, systems (alliances, norms, multilateral bodies) matter — but they need maintenance, renewal, and reform.
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Civic engagement matters: In The Bill of Obligations, Haass emphasizes that good citizenship isn’t automatic — it requires habits, participation, and attentiveness.
Conclusion
Richard N. Haass stands as a compelling exemplar of how one can navigate the intersection of ideas, diplomacy, and public service. His influence from the State Department to think tanks, from Belfast to global summits, reflects more than longevity: it reflects a coherence of purpose — to make the world more orderly, more cooperative, and grounded in principles.
His famous quotes remind us that foreign affairs is less about inevitability and more about choices, constraints, and persistent effort. In a time of flux, his voice still invites reflection: Where should American power go? How can we renew institutions? And how can citizens hold leaders accountable?
If you’d like, I can also prepare a timeline of Haass’s career, or more in-depth commentary on one of his books. What would you like next?