Joseph Albert Benkert (born January 17, 1951)[1] is an American naval officer and diplomat who served as an officer in the United States Navy, and as an appointed official in the George W. Bush Administration. He joined the Cohen Group in 2009 after serving as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Security Affairs.[2] Benkert currently serves on the board of International Relief and Development Inc. [3] In October 2018, He joined Morrison & Foerster as a National Security Advisor.[4]
Benkert is notable for testifying before the United States Congress.
Born in Frankfort, Kentucky, Benkert graduated from Franklin County High School in 1969. He earned a B.S. degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1973 and later received a M.P.P. degree from the Kennedy School at Harvard University in 1979.[1]
In March 2007 Benkert participated in a forum evaluating the problems that plagued American efforts to help reconstruct Iraq.[8]
On September 27, 2006, while serving as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, Benkert testified before the Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support.[9] Executive Order 11850, signed in 1975, proscribed the US from using chemical weapons. According to Benkert, it was the position of the Bush Presidency that riot control agents, like tear gas, should not be considered chemical weapons.
In early May 2007 Benkert and two other officials testified before Congress that 30 released Guantanamo captives had returned to the battlefield.[10]
On May 9, 2007, Benkert was quoted on the future of the Guantanamo detainees:[10]
Neither the president nor the secretary has said we're going to close it tomorrow, ... There are no readily available facilities to take these guys,
On April 11, 2007, Benkert was quoted commenting on a facility in southwestern Siberia to destroy American and former Soviet era nerve gas.[11]
Joseph Benkert is married to the former Gail DeVeuve, and together have two children Stephen and Suzanne.[1]