Mr. Countryman retired from the Senior Foreign Service in January 2017 after thirty-five years of service. At that time, he served simultaneously as acting Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security and as Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation, a position he held since September 2011. Previously he served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs (2009-10) and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs (2010-11), with responsibility for the Balkans region. Mr. Countryman served as Director for Near East affairs on the National Security Council staff (1997-98) and was the White House representative on Ambassador Dennis Ross’ peace process team. He was Director of the Office of South-Central European Affairs (1999-2001) and Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Rome (2001-05). He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Athens (2005-08), including five months Chargé d´Affaires in 2007. In 2008-2009, he was Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, General James Conway. He received several Superior Honor Awards for his work and in 2007 received the Presidential Meritorious Service award. Since 2017, Tom has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Arms Control Association. Follow Tom on X at @TMCountryman.