Leon Fuerth
Distinguished Research Fellow

Leon Fuerth is the former National Security Advisor to Vice President Al Gore. Following eleven years as a Foreign Service Officer, Fuerth joined then-Congressman Gore's staff as senior legislative assistant for national security, focusing on issues of arms control and strategic stability. As the Vice President's National Security Advisor, Fuerth served simultaneously on the Deputies' and Principals' Committees of the National Security Council, alongside the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the President's own National Security Advisor. He created and managed five bi-national commissions, and led efforts to: develop the International Space Station; to marshal international support for sanctions against Slobodan Milosevic's regime; to raise awareness and take action to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa; to denuclearize former Soviet states; to win China's cooperation in protecting the environment and reducing pollution; and to spur foreign investment in Egypt as part of the Middle East peace process.

After retiring from government service at the conclusion of the Clinton Administration, Professor Fuerth came to The George Washington University to serve as the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of International Affairs from January 2001 to January 2003. He currently serves as a research professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Mr. Fuerth founded and directs the Project on Forward Engagement, which promotes the incorporation of foresight methodology into policymaking. Funded by the MacArthur foundation, the Project is working to encourage adaptation of Forward Engagement concepts at senior levels in government. More information about the Project is available at www.forwardengagement.org.

Mr. Fuerth was recently appointed to serve as a Distinguished Research Fellow at the National Defense University, to explore concepts of Anticipatory Governance and Actionable Foresight. In addition, Mr. Fuerth is also currently: a consultant for SCITOR, exploring use of space-based sensors in the design of a monitorable climate agreement; a member of the National Academy of Science Committee on Climate, Energy and National Security; a member of the Guiding Coalition to the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR); a consultant to The Alliance on Climate Change; and a consultant to former vice president Al Gore.

He holds a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in history from New York University, as well as a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University.